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 Appraiser4.9

Based on 172 reviews

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

Gabe Ritter

Ken is the absolute best in the business and a pleasure to work with. A true professional and knows his stuff. I highly recommend using him to get you the absolute best price for your total loss vehicle. He knows all the ins and outs of the insurance business. Do yourself a favor and hire him.

Response from the owner:Gabe, thank you so much for the generous review! You were such a pleasure to work with—truly one of the kindest folks I’ve had the chance to help. I appreciate your trust and your words more than you know. I’m glad we could put my knowledge of the appraisal clause and insurance world to good use and get you the result you deserved. It means a lot that you’d recommend me so highly. You made the process smooth and enjoyable, and I’m always here if you or anyone you know needs help down the road. Kind regards, Ken

Bret Levick

I can’t recommend Leverage Auto Appraisers enough. My son had what can only be described as a “unicorn” car — a pristine 2011 Subaru Forester with just 60k miles and a flawless service record. We searched long and hard to find it, and it was absolutely perfect for him. Less than two months later, while it was parked, a huge tree branch fell on it, breaking the windshield, side-view mirror and damaging the door. GEICO immediately totaled it and then tried to lowball us based purely on the age of the car. Anyone who’s tried to buy a Subaru in Oregon knows the market is completely different — you simply cannot find low-mileage, well-maintained Subarus at the prices GEICO wanted to use. That’s when we hired Ken at Leverage Auto Appraisers. Not only is he genuinely a nice, easy-to-work-with guy, but he handled everything professionally and knew exactly how to deal with the insurance process. He ended up increasing the payout by around 30%, which was enough for us to buy a comparable replacement vehicle without going too deep out-of-pocket. Even better, because of Oregon law, his fee was reimbursed — so if you hire him, make sure you request that reimbursement from your insurer. Ken truly saved us in a stressful situation. Worth every penny, and then some.

Response from the owner:Bret, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review, I truly appreciate it. And thank you for providing so many photos, that really helps more than most people realize. It helps others understand that comprehensive losses like tree damage, falling limbs, or even mudslides can absolutely be disputed when the valuation comes in low. And I have to say again, that Forester was a unicorn. Finding a 2011 with only 60k miles and that kind of history here in Oregon is no easy task. The market for Subarus out here is completely different, and those insurance valuations rarely reflect what these vehicles are actually worth. That situation with the tree branch was just brutal, especially after all the effort you put into finding the perfect vehicle for your son. I am really glad we were able to step in and secure over a $3,000 increase, roughly 30 percent more than the original offer, so you could get into a comparable replacement without taking a big financial hit. Thank you again for your trust, your kind words, and the recommendation. It was truly awesome working with you, and I am always here if you ever need anything in the future. 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

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.

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. Miracle worker might be a little generous, but I will gladly accept it and try not to let it go to my head. I like to think of myself more as BATMAN. lol My goal is always to explain the process clearly so you know what is happening and why the insurance company’s offer may not reflect the true value of your vehicle. I also appreciate you providing the photo of your Infiniti. Details matter in a total loss insurance claim, and every piece of information helps tell the full story. I am very happy we were able to increase your settlement by $4,373 and help get you a much fairer result. Kind regards, Ken

Jessica Kittell

I cannot say enough good things about leverage auto appraisals. First off Ken is very kind and knowledgeable. We had never been in an accident before and he explained the process and what to expect. State farm gave us a total loss on our Dodge grand caravan and tried to offer us $12,233 after Kens hard work he got us back $17,950. He's fast and efficient. Our whole process took a total of 3 days. If you need an appraisal done I would highly recommend leverage auto appraisals.

Response from the owner:Jessica, thank you so much for the amazing review, I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was honestly awesome working with you, and I am really glad I could help guide you through everything, especially since this was your first time dealing with a total loss situation. That jump from $12,233 to $17,950, a $5,700 increase, is a fantastic result. And on a van, that is saying a lot. Most of the time we see increases in that $3,000 to $4,000 range on vans, so getting close to $6,000 definitely made me feel like I had my Wheaties that morning. I am just glad I was able to help you get what your vehicle was actually worth. State Farm does tend to rely on CCC valuations, which in my experience are often on the low side. That said, I will give credit where it is due, State Farm is generally a solid insurance company, and many of the appraisers they hire tend to be more ethical than some others out there. That definitely helps when it comes to reaching a fair resolution. Thank you again for your trust and for recommending Leverage Auto Appraisals. It truly means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

Dave Andrews

Ken delivered as advertised and I can confidently recommend him. He was able to get us 5k over the insurance offer. I plan to use him again.

Response from the owner:Dave, thank you so much for the great review, I truly appreciate it. It was awesome working with you, and I am really glad we were able to get you that additional $5,000 over the insurance company’s initial offer. That is exactly why the total loss appraisal process exists, to make sure you are not stuck accepting a low insurance valuation that does not reflect the true market value of your vehicle. These total loss claims can be frustrating, but having someone on your side who understands the appraisal clause process makes a big difference. I really appreciate your trust and your recommendation, and I will always be here if you need help with another insurance claim or total loss appraisal in the future. Kind regards, Ken

Gwen Tomac

I highly recommend working with Ken at Leverage Auto Appraisals. We were a bit lost after we were rear-ended and our insurance company declared our vehicle totaled. The payout was much less than the vehicles value and we were overwhelmed. Ken explained OR state laws around this and what he would do on our behalf. It was not a quick process, but it was definitely worthwhile. In the end, Ken was able to get us a settlement much closer to the vehicles value. We are incredibly grateful to him and would 100% recommend him.

Nick Rucker

Ken nix and his team helped me out tremendously with my 2007 Subaru. Limited edition STI and my total loss claim. He was able to appraise over $5000 above what state farm had originally submitted. I'm so grateful and thankful for Ken Nix and his team and his services. Excellent job and excellent service. I will definitely suggest and recommend using them for any total loss claim.

Dominique Demouchet

I went through a pretty traumatic accident and total loss of my 2 week old car. While insurance was extremely difficult, Ken helped make the process as smooth as possible and was able to get over $2k more than i would have gotten otherwise, plus the refund of my appraisal fee since he increased the value. I can’t recommend him enough to get through these situations.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing this, and I am truly sorry you had to go through such a traumatic accident, especially with a car that was only two weeks old. That is a tough situation on so many levels, and I am really glad I could help take some of that weight off your shoulders during the process. Insurance claims can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you are already dealing with the stress of a total loss. I am happy we were able to push back through the appraisal clause process and secure that additional $2000 plus for you. Getting the appraisal fee reimbursed as well is exactly how it should work here in Oregon, and I am glad everything came together in your favor. I truly appreciate your trust and your recommendation. It means a lot to me to be able to help people navigate these situations and come out with a fair result. Kind regards, Ken

Howard Bergman

I was greatly impressed with Ken at his company. He immediately explain all of details on how it works and how do you insurance company use he gives you the low number? KEN WHEN'S ABLE TO GET ME OVER $9000 MORE THAN YOU INSURANCE COMPANY OFFERED? I WOULD DEFINITELY GIVE A 5 STAR REVIEW. AND WHAT? HIGHLY RECOMMENDED HIM THANK YOU HOWARD BERGMAN.

Response from the owner:Howard, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review, I truly appreciate it. And I really want to emphasize how much your review helps other people. There are so many folks out there dealing with total loss claims who have no idea that they can challenge the insurance company’s valuation. They just accept whatever number is put in front of them, even when it is way off. Reviews like yours show people that this process actually works and that they do not have to accept some stupidly low value that the insurance company is trying to shove down their throat. I am really glad we were able to step in and get you over a $9,000 increase. That is a significant difference, and that is exactly why I am so passionate about what I do. Situations like yours happen every single day, and unfortunately a lot of people never question it. Last year alone I handled 336 claims, and only three of those did not result in at least a $1,000 increase. The odds are very strong when the valuation is off, but there are always variables. I am not a clairvoyant, I do not know who the opposing appraiser will be or how they will approach it. Sometimes we get someone local who understands the Oregon market, and sometimes we get an out of state appraiser who has no clue what vehicles are actually worth here, and those are the ones we really have to fight. In your case, this was a State Farm claim, and I want to be clear, I actually think State Farm is a good company overall. The issue is more with the valuation companies they rely on. CCC valuations in particular tend to come in low, and unfortunately there are not many alternatives out there, some of which are even worse. So while I do not fault State Farm directly, the system they are working within can produce some pretty inaccurate results. Another big issue is the use of so called independent appraisers who are anything but independent. Many of these appraisers are either employees or receive massive amounts of repeat business from the same insurance companies, sometimes millions of dollars worth. It is hard to believe there is no bias there, even if it is subconscious. When your income depends on keeping that relationship, it creates a conflict whether people want to admit it or not. I know this one took a little longer than usual, especially since we had to deal with an out of state appraiser, but I really appreciate your patience and your trust in me throughout the process. I am glad we stuck with it and got you the result you deserved. Thank you again for your kind words and for helping others by sharing your experience. It really does make a difference. Kind regards, Ken

Araceli Carranza

My car was hit while parked on the street outside my house and it became a total loss! Ken help me out and appraised my highlander higher than what my insurance appraised it at. My settlement was 2,340.66 more than what my insurance originally offered me. Im so thankful that i found Ken and did not go with the low offer that my insurance appraised my car at. I would totally recommend Ken to anyone! He’s definitely a pro at what he does and i will definitely use him again if ever needed! Thanks Ken! Insurance Offer: $11,659.34 Settlement: $14,000.00 Increase: $2,340.66

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the awesome review, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Getting hit while parked is frustrating enough, and after seeing the photos you provided, that was some serious rear damage. Definitely not something anyone expects when their car is just sitting outside their home. I am really glad we were able to step in and help turn things around for you. That increase from $11,659.34 to $14,000 is exactly why it is so important to question those initial insurance valuations. Too often they come in low, and without pushing back, people end up leaving money on the table. We were able to use the appraisal clause process here in Oregon to get you closer to the true market value of your Highlander. Thank you again for your trust and the recommendation. It means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again. 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