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 183 reviews

Andrew Bertz

Having to go all the way to getting an appraisal was not something I wanted to do. But when my Insurance company low balled me and would not budge, I reach out to Ken. He was great to work with and helped explain the process. I was able to get over 10% more for my total loss claim thanks to Ken's work.

Response from the owner:Andrew, thank you for taking the time to write this, I really appreciate it. I know going through the appraisal clause process is not something anyone plans on, but unfortunately it becomes necessary when the insurance company just will not budge on a low offer. I am glad I could help walk you through the process and make it a little easier to navigate. That is exactly why I am here, to help Oregon drivers deal with these total loss situations and make sure they are not stuck accepting less than what their vehicle is actually worth. Getting over a 10 percent increase is a solid result and a great example of why it is important to challenge those initial valuations. Thank you again for your trust and for working with me. I truly appreciate it and I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

Mehdi Farjami

Ken is truly a man on Integrity. He gave me the best advice that actually helped me use as leverage to save my Car from being Totaled. I highly recommend them. Thank you Ken!

Response from the owner:Mehdi, thank you so much for the kind words, I really appreciate you taking the time to write this. It was great working with you, and I am really glad I was able to help you navigate that situation and ultimately keep your vehicle from being totaled. Not every case needs to go all the way through the appraisal clause process. Sometimes just knowing how these insurance companies operate and using the right information at the right time can make all the difference. I am glad you were able to use that leverage and get a better outcome. Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. It truly means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need anything in the future. Kind regards, Ken

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

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

Scot Northern

I highly recommend Ken Nix at Leverage Auto Appraisals. When my 2024 Toyota 4Runner was declared a total loss, the insurance company tried to lowball me on the value of my vehicle and aftermarket upgrades. I hired Ken, and his tenacity was exactly what I needed. He truly fights for the little guy against the corporate bureaucracy. By coordinating directly with the state regulators and insurance company appraisers, while refusing to back down, he successfully secured a $3,056 increase over the initial insurance offer. If you are dealing with a total loss and need an expert who will relentlessly advocate for what you are owed, Ken is your guy.

Response from the owner:Scot, thank you so much for the outstanding review and for trusting me with your 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium. That is one beautiful 4Runner, and I am glad we were able to secure an additional $3,056 over the original offer from Progressive. One of the biggest challenges in your claim was making sure the true value of both your vehicle and its aftermarket upgrades was recognized. Insurance companies do not always give those upgrades the consideration they deserve, so it often takes persistence, solid research, and a willingness to stand your ground. I appreciate your patience while I worked through the process because I truly believed your 4Runner was worth more than the initial offer reflected. Thank you again for your recommendation and your kind words. Helping people level the playing field during a total loss claim is exactly why I do this. I hope you never need my services again, but if you ever have questions in the future, you know how to reach me. Kind regards, Ken

Chris LaPointe

I can't recommend Ken at Leverage Auto Appraisals highly enough. When my insurance company declared my vehicle a total loss, their initial valuation was not near to the value of my vehicle. I knew something wasn't right and reached out to Ken. From our first conversation, it was clear that he genuinely cared about helping me receive a fair settlement. He took the time to explain the appraisal process, answered all of my questions, and handled the negotiations with professionalism and confidence. His knowledge of vehicle values and the insurance claims process was impressive, and his persistence and knowledge made all the difference. Thanks to Ken's hard work and dedication, he was able to negotiate a settlement that was much closer to the true market value of my vehicle. Without his expertise, things would have resolved differently. If you're dealing with a total loss claim or feel your insurance company has undervalued your vehicle, don't hesitate to call Ken. He is honest, knowledgeable, responsive, and truly fights for his clients. I'm incredibly grateful for everything he did and would recommend Leverage Auto Appraisals to anyone looking for someone who will advocate for them every step of the way.

Tim Paup

Ken was great! Helped us get more value for our car & was wonderful to work with. We highly recommend him!

Response from the owner:Tim, thank you so much for the great review, I truly appreciate it. It was awesome working with you, and I am really glad I could help you get more value for your vehicle through the total loss appraisal process. That is always the goal, making sure you are not stuck accepting a low insurance valuation and helping you get the true market value for your car. These total loss claims can be frustrating, especially when the initial offer comes in low, so I always try to make the appraisal clause process as smooth and straightforward as possible. Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. I am always here if you ever need help with a total loss or insurance claim in the future. Kind regards, Ken

DJ FaceCrook Funches

I recently worked with Ken Mix after my 2017 Nissan Leaf was totaled in an accident that was 100% the other driver's fault. State Farm's initial settlement offer was far too low, and I was struggling to get a fair value for my vehicle. I actually used an AI tool to help me research my options, and it flagged Ken as one of the top independent appraisers in the region, noting his consistent victories in disputing lowball claims against State Farm. Ken came highly recommended, and he absolutely delivered. The story of how we started working together is pretty funny. At first, Ken honestly didn't think he could take my case. Because of the highly volatile nature of the market for older EVs—specifically the Nissan Leaf—he wasn't sure he could find the data to beat State Farm's quote. Instead of just taking my money, he generously gave me a brilliant counter-strategy: he told me to report our initial consultation directly to State Farm to show them I was speaking with an independent appraiser, predicting that just knowing I had an expert in my corner might scare them into raising the Actual Cash Value (ACV) by $1,000 on the spot. But it gets better. About a day later, Ken emailed me urgently. He had kept digging into the data on his own time, completed some deeper research, and realized he could absolutely get me a deal. He was so confident after reviewing the numbers that he told me that if I paid his fee, he could almost guarantee an appraisal that would cover the cost, making it entirely worthwhile and risk-free for me. He took the case, conducted a meticulous appraisal, and completely shattered State Farm's lowball offer—ultimately securing an additional $1,702 on top of their first valuation. His report paid for itself multiple times over, just like he said it would. Beyond being an absolute master of his craft, Ken is a fascinating person to talk to. He has an incredible background, a unique education, and a wealth of diverse life experiences that make him an absolute pleasure to work with. He genuinely cares about getting justice for his clients. If you are dealing with a total loss or a difficult insurance claim in the Seattle/Tacoma area, do yourself a favor and call Ken Mix. He is the absolute best in the business. Thank you, Ken!

Response from the owner:John, thank you so much for taking the time to write such an incredible review. I truly appreciate your trust, and I am glad we were ultimately able to increase the value of your 2017 Nissan Leaf by an additional **$1,702**. I have to admit, this claim almost never happened. When we first spoke, I honestly did not think I could build a strong enough appraisal to justify asking you to hire me. The market for older Nissan Leafs can be extremely volatile, and I never want someone to spend money on an appraisal unless I genuinely believe I can help. After our conversation, though, I just could not let it go. I kept researching on my own time and eventually found stronger comparable vehicles much closer to your area. Those local comparables completely changed my opinion of the claim, so I reached back out because I believed we finally had enough evidence to move forward. I am really glad I did. I originally thought we might be able to improve the settlement by around a thousand dollars, so I was happy we were able to exceed that and secure an additional $1,702 instead. The only part that still frustrates me is that, unlike Oregon, Washington does not require insurance companies to reimburse consumers for the reasonable cost of an appraisal when it results in a higher settlement. I have always believed that if the insurance company is proven wrong, the consumer should not have to bear the cost of proving it. In most cases I've been able to provide a strong enough argument, that insurance companies have reimbursed the appraisal fee in Washington, and I can't believe State Farm fought us on the reimbursement. Unfortunately, sometimes this happens on Washington State claims. Thank you again for your thoughtful review and recommendation. It was a pleasure working with you, and I truly enjoyed our conversations along the way. I wish you nothing but the best, and if you ever need anything in the future, you know how to reach me. Kind regards, Ken

Danielle Andrade

I sadly totaled my 2017 4Runner recently. I’m so glad I called Ken at leverage auto. He was able to get me $2k more than progressive was going to pay out. It’s a good thing he’s doing! 2k definitely made a difference to me! Thank you Ken!

Response from the owner:Danielle, thank you so much for the wonderful review. I am really glad we were able to increase Progressive's settlement on your 2017 Toyota 4Runner by $2,000. I'm glad that extra money made a difference. I also appreciate your comment that this is "a good thing." That truly means a lot to me because helping people through total loss claims is exactly why I do this and the reason I don't work for insurance companies. I've instilled these same values in my kids, Nico Nix at Total Loss Northwest, Austin Nix at Diminished Value of Oregon and our newest appraiser, Savannah Long, my daughter who will be working with me again! YAY! Most people only go through this process once or twice in their lives, while insurance companies handle these claims every day. Having someone in your corner who understands the process can make all the difference. Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. It was a pleasure working with you, and I wish you nothing but the best moving forward. Kind regards, Ken

Jordan Schreiber, L.Ac.

I had just bought a beautiful 2015 BMW X5 35d a month prior to hitting a deer and having Progressive call it a total loss. I knew the offer from Progressive was not going to allow me to replace the l X5 that I was just getting to know when, after some searching online, found Ken. I filled out the form on his website and heard back from him the next day saying he'd take my case on and that he could help. The entire process took about a month total, from hiring Ken to finally getting my payout. At times, it took a few days for Ken to get back to me and time for insurance to respond. It was stressful, but made much easier by Ken's re-assuring and calm easy going demeanor. As soon as Progressive, got Ken's letter of arbitration, they offered me over $4000 more, the next morning! Partly this was because Progressive was trying to get out of arbitration and didn't want to reimburse Ken's fee to me, but they eventually did. While it didn't happen overnight, it was the holidays, Ken made the whole process much easier and I would hire him again if I ever needed to and have recommended him already. I think it was about $4300 total more that Ken helped negotiate! Thank you Ken

Response from the owner:I really appreciate you sharing this, thank you. And yes, that was a sharp BMW, definitely a tough one to see go so soon after you picked it up. Unfortunately, that is when a lot of people first realize how far off insurance valuations can be. You did exactly the right thing by questioning the offer and reaching out. As a licensed auto appraiser here in Oregon, I see it all the time where vehicles like yours are undervalued through automated reports. I am glad we were able to step in, invoke the appraisal clause, and ultimately help you secure about $4300 more on your total loss settlement. That is money that makes a real difference when trying to replace a vehicle like that. I know the process can feel stressful at times, especially with a little waiting involved, but I am glad I was able to help make it more manageable along the way. Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and for recommending me to others. That means everything. Kind regards, Ken

Hannah Viera

Ken was absolutely the right choice for this situation and if I ever get in another car accident like this, he’s getting a call much sooner in the process. Ken was knowledgeable, thorough, and proactive. I’m so thankful to him for helping me deal with a nightmare of an insurance negotiation.

Josh Liang

Ken did an excellent job negotiating a better price for my vehicle. The lowball offer the insurance company tried to give me intially was insulting. It was several thousand below what Ken was able to evaluate the vehicle at. If you want someone who will fight for a fair settlement, Ken Nix is your man.

Response from the owner:Josh, thank you for the awesome review. I really appreciate you trusting me with your 2024 Subaru Outback claim. I am glad we were able to increase the settlement from $29,572 to $34,000, putting another $4,428 in your pocket. This was one of the tougher negotiations because the opposing appraisal company was not eager to move from their position. It would have been easy to accept a smaller increase and move on, but I truly believed your vehicle was worth more. Sometimes it just takes persistence and a willingness to keep fighting until the evidence speaks for itself. Thank you again for your recommendation. Reviews like yours help other people realize they do not have to simply accept a lowball total loss offer. Hopefully you never need me again, but if you do, I will be here to help. 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