Salem, Oregon Total Loss Appraisal

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In Salem, Oregon, facing a total loss vehicle scenario, whether it’s due to a car accident or a stolen vehicle, can be overwhelming. Leverage Auto Appraisals, known for its dedication to equitable and accurate car valuations, is your ally in these challenging times. Specializing in total loss appraisals, we are committed to ensuring that you receive the rightful retail value for your vehicle.

When an insurance company declares your vehicle a total loss in Salem, understanding the impact is vital. This typically means that repairing the vehicle might cost more than its present retail market value. At such times, the expertise of Leverage Auto Appraisals becomes indispensable. We are here to assist you in navigating these difficult times, ensuring your vehicle’s valuation is fair and in compliance with Oregon’s legal standards.

Set against the backdrop of Salem’s historical and cultural landmarks, like the Oregon State Capitol and the scenic Riverfront Park, our services resonate with the local community. We take pride in serving Salem’s residents with integrity and an in-depth understanding of the local automotive market.

Our services cater to those who believe their insurance company’s offer is unjustly low. We are independent of any insurance company affiliations, focusing solely on securing a fair settlement for you. According to Oregon law, you are entitled to a 100% reimbursement of the appraisal costs if the final appraised value is even slightly higher than the insurer’s last offer.

Ken Nix, our Oregon Certified Vehicle Appraiser (Certification #V34-075), specializes in managing total loss car appraisals, auto total loss appraisal insurance claim disputes, and negotiations for various vehicle types, including those linked with Copart and IAAI. We have observed that valuations, especially for certain types of vehicles like Diesel Trucks with 7.3, Duramax, or Cummins engines, are often much lower than their actual market value. This is where we step in, utilizing the appraisal clause in your policy to effectively dispute these low estimates.

If you are in Salem and find yourself dealing with a total loss insurance claim, don’t hesitate to contact Leverage Auto Appraisals. We offer a Free Total Loss Claim Review, dedicated to ensuring that your car value or vehicle value genuinely reflects its market worth. Our approach is thorough and personalized, aimed at recovering the maximum fair market value for your vehicle.

Reach out to Leverage Auto Appraisals at (503) 567-8900 for expert assistance in Salem, Oregon. Whether it’s a simple car accident or more complex situations involving total loss appraisal near me, auto total loss appraisal, or total loss evaluation, our team is here to guide you to a fair and equitable settlement. Let us support you in this process, safeguarding your rights and ensuring that your vehicle’s value is properly acknowledged.

picture of a vehicle in salem oregon that has been totaled by an insurance company and declared a total loss

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 142 reviews

barrett rosteck

Ken took the time to talk me through this unfamiliar process and indicated he felt the initial insurance offer was a low-ball estimate. He was able to find comparable cars and confidently negotiate an increase on my behalf.
I was contacted by the insurance's hired appraiser when they were looking for pre-accident condition details on my car and even they mentioned they had been in negotiations with Ken over many cases in the past. His years of experience paid off for me! Thank you.

Mario skoro

Ken at Leverage Auto Appraisal was fantastic! State Farm’s initial offer for my totaled car was much lower, but Ken stepped in and got me an additional $2,400 for my 2006 Lexus is350. I would’ve loved to get even more, but that’s no fault of Ken’s—he truly went above and beyond. He was professional, knowledgeable, and made the process easy and stress-free. His stories made the experience enjoyable, too! If you’re dealing with a total loss, don’t settle—reach out to Ken and his team. His fee is reimbursed by the insurance company, so it’s a win-win, and he does all the heavy lifting. Highly recommend!

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words Mario. It was a pleasure speaking with you. I hope I didn't bore you too much. I try to provide a very transparent conversation so everyone is on the same page. Thank you again for choosing me as your auto appraiser. - 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

Skyler Mcclure

Went out of his way to help me and give me knowledge about some Oregon Laws that I was able to help.use againt my Claim Very Thankful for someone who's isn't all about the money!!!

Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words Skyler. I actually started advocating for consumers back in 2005 when I realized I was justifying everything I did, no matter how bad it was. I didn't want my kids to grow up like that person, so I started helping people on forums first, then started my own forums where I helped people for free. In 2010, I moved to doing this professionally. I'm by no means rich, with the exception of my family and friends, which I could be compared to Elon there. LOL But, I make a nice living and it's a huge bonus to be able to help people along the way, even if I don't get paid. My son sent me a meme today, that was about how all the material things we cherish will either be trash or belong to someone else in 100 years. Family, Friends, Relationships and being your best should be on everyone's top priority. I'm a true believer in Karma, you reap what you sow. 'nuff said. - ('Nuff Said credit to Stan Lee who believed in fighting for the underdog.)

Yosef Damena

I had an excellent experience with Leverage Auto Appraisals! Ken Nix and the team was professional, efficient, and incredibly knowledgeable. They provided a detailed, accurate appraisal of my vehicle and made the entire process seamless. The communication was clear, and they really took the time to explain everything to me. I highly recommend their services if you’re looking for reliable and trustworthy auto appraisal experts!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and for trusting Leverage Auto Appraisals! I’m thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience. We take pride in providing detailed, accurate appraisals and ensuring our clients fully understand the process. Clear communication is a priority because insurance claims can be confusing, and too many companies take advantage of that lack of knowledge. I’m glad we could make the process seamless for you. If you ever need assistance in the future, whether it’s another appraisal or just advice on dealing with insurance claims, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your recommendation means a lot, and I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Thanks again! —Ken

Jeremy Bittermann

I was recently involved in an accident which totaled my beloved 100 Series Land Cruiser. I consider myself to be a pretty good negotiator and figured I would be able to get a decent settlement from my insurance company.

I was WRONG. It was a gigantic, time-wasting headache. After spending a bunch of time gathering and submitting documentation to prove that their settlement offer was absurdly low they agreed and increased their offer by $500 - ridiculous.

At this point I engaged Ken to help. He was a steady hand through the entire process and provided a real education on how this whole dumb system works. In the end he was able to get the offer increased by over $8k (!) which made the final settlement much closer to what the value of the car was.

If you find yourself in a similar situation I suggest not wasting your time trying to do it yourself. Just hire Ken. He'll do a great job, take all the guess-work out of it and will almost definitely get you more money.

Also, if he gets the insurance company to increase their offer by any amount then they are obligated to reimburse you for Ken's fee!

Thanks Ken!

John Maass

Our BMW was in an accident and totaled. The insurance carrier did the usual low ball routine and was very uncommunicative. I contacted Ken and was very impressed with his knowledge and expertise regarding the tactics in the insurance industry. This man knows his stuff and I would highly recommend him for any auto insurance claim disagreement.

Mary Theophanes

Ken was amazing and got my husband and I $2,000 more than State Farm initially offered us for our 2015 Honda Civic. It really made the difference in shopping for another vehicle. Thank you Ken!!

Melissa Ramsey

Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating! I truly appreciate your support. I'm glad we were able to secure a **$2,752 increase** on your **2021 Subaru Crosstrek** claim. Every dollar counts when dealing with an undervalued settlement, and in addition to the increase, your insurance company was also required to **reimburse you for the cost of our appraisal**. If you ever need assistance with another appraisal or have any questions about the process, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your trust means a lot! —Ken

Tim Paup

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

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

Mike Stucky

I was told that Leverage was a good company to contact for a fair appraisal of a totaled vehicle. After speaking with Ken, I knew I had the right guy to advocate for me with the other appraiser hired by the insurance company to keep their payment to me as low as possible.
I knew that my truck had intrinsic value, and so did Ken.
A Pre-Def '06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Diesel. Those who Know, Know!
Well...Wow!!! Ken got me the amount that truck would have brought if I could have sold it.
An increase of 61% over what the insurance company had insulted me with in their initial offer.
A total increase of $12,800
If you need someone who understands what you're dealing with, and will fight to get you what you deserve from an insurance company bent on screwing you.
You need Leverage Appraisals and Ken Nix!

Portland Total Loss Vehicle Appraisals

At Leverage Auto Appraisals, we specialize in providing services in Salem, Oregon, and are attuned to the challenges vehicle owners face when insurance companies undervalue their vehicles following a total loss. We cater exclusively to vehicle owners and insured policyholders, not insurance companies, ensuring our commitment lies solely with you. Our work in Salem, a city rich in historical and cultural heritage, marked by landmarks such as the Oregon State Capitol and the serene Bush’s Pasture Park, is focused on defending the interests of Salem’s residents in their auto insurance claims.

Navigating a total loss vehicle claim in Salem can be daunting, especially when the offer from your insurance company fails to reflect the true car value or vehicle value. This is a frequent challenge in Salem, where individuals often struggle to obtain just compensation for their totaled vehicles, whether due to a car accident or incidents with entities like Copart or IAAI.

The Appraisal Clause – Empowering Policyholders:

Challenging Low Offers: If the valuation from your insurance company is inadequate, the appraisal clause in your policy is a powerful tool to dispute their offer.
Independent Appraisal Right: As a vehicle owner, you have the right to seek an independent appraisal at your expense, while the insurance company does its evaluation.
Umpire for Dispute Resolution: If there is a disagreement in appraisals, an impartial umpire is chosen jointly to establish the final value, with costs equally divided.
Leveraging Oregon Law: Oregon law ensures that if the final appraised value is higher than the insurer’s last offer, they must cover your appraisal costs.

Leverage Auto Appraisals, led by our skilled auto appraiser, Ken Nix, is dedicated to assisting Salem’s vehicle owners. Our Free Total Loss Claim Review helps you make informed decisions about disputing your claim.

Our approach is tailored and comprehensive. Each case is treated with the meticulous attention it deserves, ensuring that your claim reflects the true market value of your vehicle, whether it’s a daily driver or a more unique vehicle often seen in Copart or IAAI auctions.

For Salem residents coping with total loss situations, remember you have an ally in Leverage Auto Appraisals. We are committed to vehicle owners and policyholders, not insurance companies, ensuring your vehicle’s worth is fairly recognized. Reach out to us for expert guidance in achieving a just settlement, as we advocate for your rights and work towards an appropriate compensation for your vehicle.

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

At Leverage Auto Appraisals, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide expert total loss appraisals for an incredibly diverse range of vehicle makes. No matter the brand of your vehicle, our experienced team is ready to deliver a precise and fair valuation.

Our Broad Spectrum of Vehicle Makes Our appraisal services cover every major vehicle brand, ensuring that no matter what you drive, we have you covered. This includes luxury and performance brands like Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bentley, BMW, and Cadillac. We also appraise American classics and mainstays such as Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge, along with unique brands like Corvette and Ferrari.

For those with a preference for reliability and efficiency, we appraise popular brands like Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Toyota. Luxury enthusiasts will find solace in our expertise with brands like Lexus, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls Royce.

Our appraisal capabilities extend to a range of other esteemed makes, including but not limited to Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mini-Cooper, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, RAM, and Volvo.

Comprehensive Services Beyond Cars In addition to cars, we offer specialized appraisals for other types of vehicles. This includes heavy-duty trucks from Freightliner, International, and Peterbilt, as well as unique makes like Hummer, Saturn, and Scion.

Expertise in Specialty and Commercial Vehicles Leverage Auto Appraisals is also proficient in handling total loss claims for a variety of specialty vehicles. This includes heavy trucks, semi-trucks, motorcycles, classic cars, muscle cars, collectible vehicles, and exotics. For those with commercial needs, we assess motor coaches, work vans, and other commercial vehicles with precision and care.

Tailored Appraisals for Every Vehicle No matter the type or brand of your vehicle, Leverage Auto Appraisals is equipped to provide a thorough and accurate total loss appraisal. Our team is dedicated to ensuring you receive a fair assessment, tailored specifically to your vehicle’s unique characteristics and the current market trends.

For professional, detailed, and reliable total loss appraisals across a wide spectrum of vehicles, trust Leverage Auto Appraisals. Contact us today to begin your appraisal process and experience our commitment to excellence in vehicle valuation.

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