Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington, 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.

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 Washington 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.

Washington

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 Washington, specializing in helping consumers with Washington total loss insurance claims as an Washington Certified Auto Appraiser since 2010.
Washington Total Loss Laws. Unfortunately, Insurance companies in Washington do not have to reimburse you for the cost of the total loss appraisal. Although, normally since you get an increase in your taxes with an increase in the value, this normally will cover at least part of the cost of the 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 Washington 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 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 168 reviews

Troy

I was rear-ended and my insurance offered me $19,489 for my 2021 Toyota Camry. Ken got me $22,005.50 which is an increase of $2,516.50! I would absolutely use Ken in the future and strongly recommend him.

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

Vitri Reeves

I highly recommend Ken from Leverage Auto Appraisals Total Loss Appraiser LLC. If you’re dealing with insurance pressure to close a claim quickly, trust Ken and his process—even when it feels uncomfortable. I’m so glad I listened to him.
Ken fought hard for my dispute and made sure I received what I truly deserved for my Chevy truck. He is extremely knowledgeable about the insurance and appraisal industry and took the time to explain things clearly. I’m not great at reading fine print, and without his guidance, I could have easily ended up paying much more out of pocket.

Beyond the appraisal itself, Ken generously shared valuable insights about how he conducts business and the importance of family and integrity. Those conversations had nothing to do with appraisals, but I truly appreciated them—they meant a lot.

Thank you, Ken, for fighting for us and for going above and beyond. Your dedication and honesty make a real difference.

Response from the owner:Vitri, thank you so much for the thoughtful review and for trusting me with your Insurance total loss claim on your 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss. I also want to thank you for uploading photos of your truck. Beautiful Silverado and honestly a shame that it was totaled. Photos like yours really help people see these are real clients, real vehicles, and real appraisal clause disputes here in Oregon. Sadly, there are companies out there purchasing reviews or creating misleading impressions online, so I truly appreciate clients like you who take the time to share genuine experiences. I’m really glad you trusted the process even when the insurance company pressure started building to settle quickly. That pressure is exactly where many consumers end up accepting less than they deserve. In your case, we were able to secure a $5,132 increase over the original CCC valuation, which made a significant difference on your Silverado claim. Helping Oregon drivers challenge low insurance offers and navigate the appraisal clause process is exactly why I do this work. I also sincerely appreciate your comments about our conversations outside of the appraisal itself. Family, integrity, and trying to do right by people have always mattered more to me than simply processing claims. I have never worked for insurance companies and have never accepted revenue from insurance companies in any capacity because I believe remaining fully independent is critical to being truly unbiased for consumers. Lately, it has come to my attention that several appraisers operating in Oregon are also performing work for insurance companies while simultaneously marketing themselves to consumers without fully disclosing those relationships. Personally, I believe that creates a serious conflict of interest when someone is representing a consumer against the same insurance companies they are also receiving business from. That is one of the main reasons I have always chosen to work exclusively for vehicle owners and policyholders rather than insurers. Thank you again for the trust, the great conversation, and the opportunity to help. Wishing you and your family nothing but the best moving forward. 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

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

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

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

Kepha Jones

Couldn't recommend Ken, or his company more highly! He's knowledgable, experienced, and passionate about what he does. He got me $11k more than the insurance company offered me. Trust this man and his process. It works!

Response from the owner:Thank you Kepha for the great review! I would like to address one thing I'm seeing from some other company reviews about how their appraiser picks up on the first ring. The majority of my calls go to my live answering service. I don't just sit around all day focusing on selling appraisals. I'm normally working on negotiating claims or conducting research to discredit the opposing appraiser's comps. Not, sitting around focusing on selling appraisals. I've had a lot of people ask why I put so much time and energy into fighting for my clients, and it's simple. I get to be "BATMAN". Protecting people from being taken advantage of. Shame on the insurance companies for using database valuations that are mostly crap in my personal opinion. Using comps with structural damage, branded titles or just claiming they're in "Excellent" shape and the insured's vehicle is AVERAGE "Private Party" at best then taking as much as an additional $2,000 off for condition, against vehicles that have as many as 50,000 more miles???? Of course, the comps are from a database, and have been sold and scrubbed from the internet. So you can't see that $2,000 current damage or the bad paint or improper repair from a collision. Not to mention giving the Lion's share of business to large appraisal companies that then have Hope for gain (getting more business) or fear of loss (losing a million dollar contract). It should be where insurance companies would have to hire a "true" independent auto appraiser. Where all available auto appraisers were put on a list and then selected in sequence instead of giving one company a large amount of business. Just my 2 cents. Thanks again Kepha! -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!

Response from the owner:Jeremy, thank you so much for the incredible review, I truly appreciate it. And I have to say, I still tell your story all the time because it is such a perfect example of how this whole process really works. You did everything right. You gathered your comps, you made your case, you pushed back… and they came up $500. That right there says everything. It is frustrating, it is time consuming, and it makes you feel like you are just spinning your wheels. I remember thinking the same thing when I first saw your claim. That initial offer was just way off, especially for a 100 Series Land Cruiser. Those vehicles have a strong following and hold their value extremely well. I figured we might have to make some concessions along the way, but I was really glad we were able to push it all the way up to around $23,500 and get you that $8,000 plus increase. More than anything, I just really enjoyed working with you. You are a great guy, easy to talk to, and you made the process enjoyable on my end as well. I really appreciate your patience and your trust in letting me handle everything. Thank you again for the kind words and for sharing your experience. It truly means a lot. 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

Michael Crumley

Ken is the best! He completely helped me through the whole process and I’m so glad I trusted him with the total loss of my vehicle. My insurance company completely lowballed me and he got me thousands more that I was missing out on. Thank you 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

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.

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 and Washington. 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?

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, Washington and Idaho while employed with Reynolds and Reynolds.

Whether you're in Seattle, 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