Oregon Total Loss Appraisal Clause Disputes

Call Now for a Free Claim Review – 503.567.8900 Email: leveragepdx@gmail.com

In the aftermath of a car accident or in cases of theft, flood, Stolen vehicle or other unforeseen events, your vehicle might be declared a total loss by your insurance company. This term typically implies that repair costs are either equivalent to or surpass the vehicle’s retail market value. At Leverage Auto Appraisals, we believe you deserve the full retail market value for your car, inclusive of any relevant Tax, Title, and Licensing Fees, especially in Oregon where you have the legal right to dispute the insurance company’s offer if it seems unjustifiably low.

The key lies in the appraisal clause of your full coverage policy. This provision enables you to hire an independent auto appraiser, like Ken Nix, a certified expert in Oregon, to challenge what might seem like a lowball valuation from your insurer. If your insurance policy includes an appraisal provision, it typically follows these steps:

Obtain an auto appraisal (at your expense).
Your insurance company conducts its own appraisal (at its expense).
Should there be a disagreement on the vehicle’s value, both appraisers select an umpire. The costs for the umpire are split equally between you and the insurance company.
If the final appraised and negotiated value is higher than the insurance company’s last offer, they are obliged to reimburse you for reasonable appraisal expenses. (Oregon Policies Only)

At Leverage Auto Appraisals, we stand by your side in these critical moments. Whether your car has been involved in an accident, suffered damage from a storm, or been stolen, we provide a thorough, unbiased auto appraisal to ensure you receive a fair valuation. This is particularly crucial when the cost of repairs approaches or exceeds your vehicle’s market value.

In summary, don’t settle for less. If you’re facing a total loss situation in Oregon and want to dispute the insurance company’s offer, rely on Leverage Auto Appraisals for accurate, reliable, and fair auto appraisal services. Your vehicle’s true car value or vehicle value should always reflect its worth in the market, and we’re here to make sure that happens.

Oregon

Our all-inclusive auto appraisal service provides everything you need to determine the cash value of your vehicle. With us you can have peace of mind and confidence in your claim. Other companies may claim to be the best auto appraisers in the Pacific Northwest, but we don’t work for insurance companies like they do. Haven’t you already dealt with enough misdirection and manipulation from your insurance company?

Is there an auto appraiser near me? I cover all of Oregon, specializing in helping consumers with Oregon total loss insurance claims as an Oregon Certified Auto Appraiser since 2010.
Oregon Total Loss Laws. The big secret your claims rep doesn’t want you to know is if your Oregon Certified Auto Appraiser increases your claim just one cent, yes, ONE PENNY, your insurance company has to reimburse you for the cost of the total loss appraisal.
How can I negotiate with car insurance adjusters for my car’s total loss. YOU DON’T HAVE TO. Under your policy’s appraisal clause, you’re allowed to hire a vehicle appraiser and he can negotiate the claim for you.
How much more can I get? My average increase this year, is $5,768.19 or 44.78 percent of the vehicle’s value. .
When’s the best time to invoke my appraisal clause? The sooner the better. Ken has over a decade of experience working appraisal clause claims. Many insurance companies are known to give claimants a list of things to do if they want a higher value. Most of the times, this is just a ploy to get you to waste time while your vehicle goes down in value, so they can gain an even bigger advantage.

We Can Help! We specialize in Oregon Total loss Insurance claim disputes. If your vehicle has been declared a total loss and your insurance company is not providing a fair offer, and you need help, we can provide… LEVERAGE to get the value you should be receiving. Don’t go it alone, our Oregon Licensed Auto Appraiser, Ken Nix, can help you recover your full value by producing an appraisal under the appraisal clause of your insurance policy and negotiations with your insurance company.

Excellent

Leverage Auto Appraisals |Total Loss Appraiser

Based on 161 reviews

Michael Fletcher

Ken did with the insurance company, what we could not do, and that was get a "fair" (maybe not what we hoped for, but fair) value for very low mileage 2013 VW Golf, during a ridiculously busy time
with appraisers due to the recent on-slot of hurricane-damaged cars. He was patient in explaining the process and helpful in coming to a resolution with the insurance company.

Bob Gallagher

Leverage Auto appraisals owner Ken handled my disputed claim with Progressive Insurance. He got me $5,000 additional dollars for my totaled dodge ram 2018 truck. I would use this company any time to fight for me. He is an expert in the industry

Response from the owner:Bob, thank you so much for the great review, I truly appreciate it. And I have to say, I had a lot of fun working with you as well. It always makes the process that much better when I get to work with good people. That $5,000 increase on your Ram was as strong as bear's breath, and exactly why it is so important to push back when the insurance company comes in low. I am really glad we were able to get you where you needed to be. Also, thank you for taking the time to include a photo. That really means a lot. It helps other people see that these are real situations with real results, not just a bunch of fake bullcrap like I see on some of these review sites. I genuinely appreciate you going the extra mile to do that. Thanks again for your trust and your kind words. I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

John Jr Smith

My name is Daniel, I was overwhelmed after my total lost in Oct-2024. I thought that the insurance would screw me over, but I found Ken Nix from auto leverage locally owned in Oregon. In less than a month he made all his effort and it did work. I got a total value of $8,800 on Monday 27th 2025, amazing work that he did. The guidance he has and the quality customer service are unmatchable. Going on a vacation with that money thanks to Mr.Ken.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Daniel! I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. I know how overwhelming a total loss can be, especially when dealing with an insurance company that’s trying to undercut the true value of your vehicle. I’m glad I was able to step in and secure a **$8,800 settlement** on your **State Farm total loss claim** in less than a month. That’s exactly why I do what I do—to make sure people like you aren’t left shortchanged. Also, per **Oregon law OAR 836-080-0240**, **State Farm was required to reimburse you 100% of the appraisal fee**, meaning you got the full benefit of the increase without any out-of-pocket cost for the appraisal itself. Enjoy that well-deserved vacation, and if you ever need help in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks again for trusting me with your claim! —Ken

Nathan Salyers

Ken was fantastic! He got us $6120 more than we were originally offered! I wouldn't hesitate to refer him to anybody in need of his service!

Response from the owner:Nathan, you rock. I’m grateful for the kind words and even more grateful for those 7 amazing truck photos you added to your review. Most people don’t think to do that, but it really helps others see the quality of vehicles we’re fighting to get properly valued. Your truck deserved that $6,120 boost and then some! Thank you again for your trust, your review, and your willingness to refer others my way. That kind of support helps keep the playing field a little more level when insurance companies try to shortchange people. I'm always happy to step in and make things right. Kind regards, Ken

Jacob Riopelle (Jake Riopelle)

I was working with State Farm insurance, and received an appraisal from CCC for $13,400 for my 2013 Sienna. The car only had 1 only owner before me and was declared a total loss. I gave Ken a call and he let me know that they were way under evaluating my vehicle like I suspected. He worked with my insurance and in about a week he had gotten me from that $13,400.00 up to $19,600.00. Absolutely worth every penny Ken was fantastic to work with. Definitely recommend his services to anyone who has a totaled vehicle. Per Oregon law if the appraisal that you get from Ken or any other appraisal company is a penny over what the insurance company’s first appraisal of your vehicle your insurance company is liable to pay Ken’s fee. So overall, you’re basically getting a fantastic free service and more value for your vehicle. I hope I don’t ever total another vehicle but if I do, I’m calling Ken.

Response from the owner:Jake, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review, I truly appreciate it. It was an absolute pleasure working with you, and I am really glad you trusted your instincts when that $13,400 valuation just didn’t sit right. Getting your settlement up to $19,600 and securing that $6,200 increase is exactly why I do what I do. I am very passionate about helping people get what they truly deserve, not some lowball number that gets pushed on them in hopes they will just accept it and move on. The reality is, these insurance valuations are often riddled with problems. The comps are not inspected, have no photos, erased from the internet, and there is little to no transparency on condition assuming their comps are in excellent condition when in fact the majority they use are in worse. This is 2026, not 1994, there is no reason they can't provide photos of their comps. I regularly find vehicles with prior frame or structural damage, poor repairs, and even branded titles being used as comparables. It is honestly unacceptable. What frustrates me the most is how many people just take that first offer. There are hundreds of thousands of people every year across this country who accept less than what their vehicle is worth simply because they do not know they have options. Some of the increases I have seen are life changing. Last year alone, I had a claim increase by around $50,000. That should not even be possible if the system was working correctly, but it happens more often than people realize. I really do believe we should expect better from both insurance companies and the systems in place that are supposed to oversee them. Until that changes, I will keep doing everything I can to stand up for people and make sure they are treated fairly. Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and your recommendation. Hopefully you never need me again, but if you do, I have got your back. Kind regards, Ken

K.R.

I had a very positive experience with Leverage Auto Appraisals. Ken helped me dispute a total loss claim on my vehicle and I ended up getting a higher payout from my insurance company. The process was smooth, professional, and stress-free from start to finish. He was very responsive, explained everything clearly, and truly went above and beyond to make sure I was treated fairly. I would absolutely recommend Leverage Auto Appraisals to anyone dealing with a total loss or insurance dispute!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words, I truly appreciate you taking the time to write this. It was awesome working with you, and I am really glad I could help make the process feel smooth and a little less stressful. That is always my goal, to take something that is usually frustrating and confusing and make it as straightforward as possible while making sure you are treated fairly. These total loss situations can be overwhelming, especially when the insurance company is not coming in where they should, so I am glad we were able to get you a better outcome. Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. It really means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help in the future. Kind regards, Ken

Ian Jackson

I was happy to get a fair settlement with my insurance company.

Response from the owner:Ian, thank you for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it. I am glad we were able to get you to a fair settlement, that is always the goal. I always tell people, choosing the right appraiser matters. There are a lot of auto appraisers out there doing all kinds of work, divorce, probate, classic cars, you name it. But total loss claims are their own animal. It is kind of like needing open heart surgery and being given three choices, a dentist, a chiropractor like Alan on Two and a Half Men, or a heart specialist. I mean… you are probably not picking Alan. Ha ha. I am really glad you trusted me with your claim and that we were able to get things where they should have been. Thank you again, and I am always here if you ever need help down the road. Kind regards, Ken

Ryan R

I had a tricky auto claim with my insurance. Ken spent lots of time working on our claim and negotiated a 14% higher appraisal award!

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience! This was definitely a tricky claim, and the negotiation with the opposing appraiser was particularly tough, but I’m glad we were able to secure a **$7,006 increase**—bringing your total settlement from **$47,056.80 to $54,063.00**, a **14% higher appraisal award**. It’s also important to mention that if you had used the **"FAIR"** company, they would have charged **$300 upfront** for the appraisal and then taken **15% of the increase**—which in your case would have been an additional **$1,050.90**. That means you would have lost **$1,350.90** from your final settlement, and **Progressive would have only been required to reimburse you for the $300 appraisal fee**. The rest would have come straight out of your pocket. In my personal opinion, I feel this is akin to a **bait-and-switch scam**—they lure people in with a low initial fee, but once they secure an increase, they take a significant percentage of the payout. Meanwhile, they market themselves as a no-risk option, when in reality, clients end up paying far more than they should. By choosing me, you **kept 100% of the increase**, and **Progressive was required to reimburse you for the full cost of our appraisal** as per **Oregon law OAR 836-080-0240**. That’s how it should be—fair, transparent, and in the best interest of the policyholder. I appreciate you trusting me to fight for a fair valuation, and I’m glad we could achieve this strong result. If you ever need assistance again, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks again for your review and for choosing me to handle your claim! —Ken

jake patterson

Ken was awesome! He went above and beyond and was able to get more than double the value I was offered by my insurance company. Really understood the value of my vehicle as it was a rare car! He was also very quick and helped reached a settlement quickly! Would highly recommend and strongly advise hiring if the value of your vehicle is in question.

Response from the owner:Thank you for the awesome review! I’m glad we were able to secure a **$6,955 increase** on your **2003 Lexus IS 300** claim with **State Farm**, bringing your total settlement to **$11,900**—a **140.6% increase** over their original lowball offer of **$4,945**. Rare and unique vehicles are often undervalued because insurers rely on flawed automated systems that fail to recognize their true market worth. I make it a priority to research and present accurate valuations so my clients get what they actually deserve. I'm also happy we were able to reach a fair settlement quickly! Additionally, per **Oregon law OAR 836-080-0240**, **State Farm was required to reimburse you 100% of our appraisal fee**, meaning you not only secured a significantly higher payout but also had your appraisal costs fully covered. I truly appreciate your recommendation, and if you ever need help in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks again for trusting me with your claim! —Ken

Jared Kuenzi

Ken Nix is a miracle worker. He got me over $4,373 over what my insurance was offering. He clearly explained the process to me. I have great confidence in his work and would recommend him to anyone.

Constance Corrick

I meant to do this a couple months ago, but if you ever are looking to invoke the appraisal clause with your insurance definitely get ahold of Ken!! He got me close to $4K more than what insurance was wanting me to accept. I will say be patient (I was not good at this), communication can be sparse, but he is very busy and has reasons. Thank you Ken!!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and write this review, I really appreciate it. It was truly awesome working with you, even if the patience part was a little tough at times. Totally understandable, these total loss situations can be stressful and nobody likes waiting when they are dealing with an insurance claim. I am really glad we were able to help you through the appraisal clause process and secure nearly $4,000 more than the original offer. That is exactly why having an independent auto appraiser in Oregon can make such a big difference when dealing with a total loss valuation dispute. Insurance companies do not always reflect the true market value, and I am happy we were able to challenge that and get you a better outcome. Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and your kind words. It really means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

Caleb Gilson

Ken Nix does an awesome job, great communication, great guy. He has negotiated with insurance values on two vehicles for me now. Wouldn't go to anyone else. He got me 4-5k more both times, dont let insurance lowball your cars value. Reminder: Oregon law requires insurance to reimburse your costs for an appraisal for just a penny in raised value and he will get it for you, so don't hesitate.

Response from the owner:Caleb, thank you so much for the awesome review, I truly appreciate it. And I have to say, it has been great working with you not just once, but twice now. That really means a lot to me. Of course, I always say I hope you never need me again because that usually means something went wrong, but if you do, I will always be here to help. My goal is always the same, to make sure you get what you should be getting and not some lowball valuation that the insurance company tries to put in front of you. I also want to personally thank you for the referrals. I have definitely had several people mention your name over the past few months, and that means more than you know. That kind of trust and support is everything in this business. Thank you again for everything, and I hope you have a blessed day. Kind regards, Ken

Oregon Total Loss Vehicle Appraisals

Has your Insurance Company deemed your vehicle a total loss? Are they not offering enough for your totaled car or truck? In your insurance policy, you have what is called an appraisal clause. The appraisal clause section is devised to allow you to dispute the offer your insurance company is providing.

If you do not agree with the value your own company offers, your policy may include an appraisal provision. Appraisal processes vary. Check your policy or ask the claims representative or contact us for help.

Typically:

You get an appraisal (you pay).
The company gets an appraisal (it pays).
If the appraisers don’t agree on the value, the two appraisers agree on an umpire. You and the company each pay half of the umpire’s cost.

According to OREGON LAW, Insurance companies must reimburse you for reasonable appraisal costs if the final appraised value of your vehicle is higher than the company’s last offer.

The first thing you need to do, is determine if it is a good decision to invoke your appraisal clause. LEVERAGE can help you by providing a free, no charge review of your total loss claim. This will provide you with the information to make a well informed decision as to whether you need to move forward with disputing your claim or not.

LEVERAGE specializes in Total Loss appraisals in Oregon. Unlike many large companies that use low generic staff to produce and negotiate your claim, with LEVERAGE, you get a highly qualified auto appraiser and negotiator to work with you to negotiate a fair claim so you can replace your vehicle, and move on with your life. Ken Nix works every claim himself to ensure we recover the maximum fair market value for you.

Why Hire Us?

Oregon Licensed Auto Appraiser for over 13 Years

Over 35 years Experience as a Professional Negotiator

Over 18 years Automotive sales Experience. Experience with all types of vehicles. Not just an ex estimator or adjuster.

Over 40 years of Automotive Experience

Professionally Trained One on One by Zig Ziglar, Grant Cardone, and Tom Stuker.

Worked with Hundreds of Dealer, GM's, and GSM's in Oregon while employed with Reynolds and Reynolds.

Whether you're in Coos Bay, Bend, Eugene or Portland, Ken knows you're Used Car Market.

Vehicles We Sevice

We produce total loss appraisals for Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Corvette, Dodge, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Freightliner, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, International, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mini-Cooper, Mitsubishi, Oldsmobile, Peterbilt, Plymouth, Pontiac, Porsche, RAM, Rolls Royce, Saab, Saturn, Scion, Shelby, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo.

As well as older Diesel 1 ton and 3/4 ton Trucks with Powerstroke, Cummins, and Duramax Engines. We also provide Sprinter Van, Ram Promaster, VW Camper Vans, and other Conversion Van Total Loss Appraisals.

We also work Total Loss Claim Disputes on other specialty vehicles such as Heavy Trucks, Semi Trucks, Motorcycles, Classic Cars, Muscle Cars, Collectible Vehicles, Exotic Cars, Motor Coaches, Work Vans, Commercial Vehicles, and many more.

WHO IS KEN NIX

Ken Nix is a local Oregon Certified and Licensed Vehicle appraiser since April of 2010 has been authorized by ODOT to appraise vehicles in Oregon for over 12 years.
Ken started in the automotive industry in the 1980s and has sold and appraised tens of thousands of vehicles including late model cars and trucks, Exotics, Muscle Cars, Street Rods, Vintage, Classics, Street Rods, Camper Conversions, and even Japanese right-hand drive vans while working for multiple franchises over 20 years. Ken is the independent appraiser chosen by Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo for independent vehicle assessments.
Previously employed by Diversiform and Reynolds and Reynolds. Ken worked with local Automotive Dealers, Sales, Service and Body shops to market vehicles. Hundreds of Dealership owners, managers, and staff know and trust him. Ken also worked with Lanphere Enterprises, and many other local dealers to provide digital solutions for automotive marketing.
Ken is the founder of Volkswagen Owners Club, My GTI, and Jetta Junkie and was an Administrator for Autoguide.com for over 10 years.
Ken’s wife jokes that sometimes she’s married to Liam Neeson because Ken has a very particular set of skills, skills he’s acquired over a very long career.

OREGON LICENSED AUTO APPRAISER for over 13 years

Ken has actual long term automotive sales, appraisal and negotiation experience. Beware long term businesses with inexperienced vehicle appraisers claiming decades of experience because a relative founded the business. Make sure your automotive appraiser has the real world experience to back up their claims.
Ken’s background in training salespeople on Product Knowledge, combined with auto body repair assessment experience and his computer background provides negotiating leverage over opposing appraisers. The ability to spot bad repairs from prior damage on an opposing appraiser’s comparables to discrediting salt state and flood damaged vehicles used by your insurance company’s valuations from CCC One and Mitchell / J.D. Powers to lowball your vehicle.
Expert Negotiator. Personally trained one on one by Zig Ziglar, Tom Stuker, and Grant Cordone. Over 45 years experience as a professional negotiator.
Ken’s Automotive, Computer Technology, Legal Reseach, and Negotiating background provides a very specific skill set that makes him a nightmare to opposing appraisers.

Recent Total Loss Claim Dispute Recoveries

G. Genauer – Total Loss Dispute
Insurance Company: State Farm

Portland, Oregon
Vehicle: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI
Offer: $16,174
Settled Value: $20,500
Increase: $4,326.00

S. Mead – Total Loss Dispute
Insurance Company: Geico

Prineville, Oregon
Vehicle: 5th Wheel Toy Hauler 2016 Keystone
Rv M-387 CARBON
Offer: $42,079
Settled Value: $51,700 – May 13, 2022
Increase: $9,621

S. Arkelian – Total Loss Dispute
Insurance Company: Progressive

Portland, Oregon
Vehicle: 2018 RAM 2500 Laramie Crew Diesel 2500
Offer: $59,152.21
Settled Value: $65,625 – May 11, 2022
Increase: $6.472.79

M. Smith – Total Loss Dispute
Insurance Company: Liberty Mutual

Portland, Oregon
Vehicle: 2003 Ford Super Duty F-250 King
Ranch Crew Cab
Offer: $14327.00
Settled Value: $19,995 – May 13, 2022
Increase: $5,668

C. Wilkinson – Total Loss Dispute
Insurance Company: Progressive

Portland, Oregon
Vehicle: 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4 Door Crew Cab
Offer: $22,024.90
Settled Value: $31,500 – May 4, 2022
Increase: $9,475.10

K. Johnson – Total Loss Dispute
Insurance Company: Progressive

Portland, Oregon
Vehicle: 1995 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER
Offer: $20,653.83
Settled Value: $29,500.00
Increase: $8,846.17

LEVERAGE

Auto Appraisals

(503) 420-3001

Location

Portland, OR. 97225

Email

leveragepdx@gmail.com

Open Hours

Mon:8am – 8pm
Tue: 8am – 8pm
Wed: 8am – 8pm
Thur: 8am – 8pm
Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun: 8am – 8pm