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:

  1. Obtain an auto appraisal (at your expense).
  2. Your insurance company conducts its own appraisal (at its expense).
  3. 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?

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. How much more can I get? My average increase this year, is $5,768.19 or 44.78 percent of the vehicle’s value. .
  5. 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.

Washington
Excellent
Leverage Auto Appraisals |Total Loss Appraiser4.9
Based on 190 reviews
Washington
Ray
To start off I live in California and thats where my claim happened, I called multiple appraisers and got quotes. Ken set the expectations and was able to exceed them. After everything ken was able to get me more money then what my insurance company was offering me. Even though Ken is based in Oregon if you live in a different state do not hesitate to use his services.
Washington
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
Washington
dbowl36yahoo
Ken did very good job negotiating a settlement. It was a great experience and I got what I thought I deserved. Thanks again Ken!
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the great review, I truly appreciate it. I am really glad we were able to get you to a settlement that felt right, that is always the goal. And I especially want to thank you for providing the photos of that red Ram truck. That means more than most people realize. Those diesel trucks in particular are getting lowballed so badly right now, it is honestly insane. Seeing the actual vehicle helps tell the real story and shows just how far off some of these insurance valuations can be. It also really helps other people see that these are real claims with real results, not something made up or bought somewhere online. I truly appreciate you taking the extra time to do that. You have no idea how much that helps. Thank you again for your trust, I really appreciate you. Kind regards, Ken
Washington
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
Washington
Louis Gomez
I was recently in a car accident that unfortunately totaled my truck. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I assumed my insurance company would handle everything smoothly, but from the start, I felt like I got the runaround. When they finally gave me a vehicle appraisal, the offer seemed far too low. I explained all the features, add-ons, and the truck’s low mileage, but none of that seemed to matter—they continued to make excuses and stick with a lowball offer. I felt completely stuck until a friend of my wife’s suggested I call Ken Nix. Under our policy, we had the right to get a second appraisal from an independent professional if we disagreed with the insurance company’s valuation. Reaching out to Ken was the best decision we could have made. He was incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and truly fought for our family. Thanks to his expertise and persistence, we received a fair payout that reflected the true value of our truck. We are extremely grateful for everything Ken did—his communication, dedication, and skill made the entire process so much easier. It’s reassuring to know there are people like Ken out there who will stand up for you when you need it most. If you’re feeling lost or want a second opinion, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Ken Nix a call. He knows exactly what he’s doing and genuinely cares about helping his clients.
Response from the owner:Louis, thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. First and most importantly, I am very glad no one was hurt. A totaled truck is bad enough, but when the insurance company gives you the runaround and then refuses to recognize the low mileage, features, and added equipment, it can make a stressful situation feel ten times worse. I am grateful your wife’s friend pointed you in my direction, and I am honored you trusted me to help with your total loss appraisal clause claim here in Oregon. I truly do care about my clients and their families. My cousin, Harold Wayne Nix, was an esteemed attorney who passed away last month, and he spent his life fighting for the underdog. He was my role model in that way, and I try to carry that same spirit into every insurance claim car value dispute I handle. Thank you again for trusting Leverage Auto Appraisals. I am so glad we were able to stand up for the true value of your truck and help get your family a fair payout. Kind regards, Ken
Washington
Shawn Penny
I highly recommend Ken with Leverage Auto Appraisals. They were instrumental in my total loss claim process. The insurance company initially offered me $16,500 for my vehicle, but thanks to Leverage’s professional appraisal, I was able to secure a settlement of $19,950. Their service was professional, effective, and well worth it."
Response from the owner:Shawn, thank you so much for the great review and for trusting me with your total loss claim. I am glad we were able to increase your settlement to $19,950. Claims like yours are a good reminder that the first offer from an insurance company is not always the fair market value of a vehicle. My goal is never to create the highest appraisal possible. It is to produce the most accurate appraisal possible and then defend that value during negotiations. That approach helped us reach a settlement that was much closer to what your vehicle was actually worth. I truly appreciate your recommendation and the opportunity to help. Hopefully you never need an independent appraiser again, but if you do, I will be here. I wish you all the best, and thank you again for choosing Leverage Auto Appraisals. Kind regards, Ken
Washington
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
Washington
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
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
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
Washington
Montana Moore
I rolled my truck in Canada while guiding and my insurance offered me 3500 less than my pay off quote and Ken was able to get them to come up 8000 dollars. I will never use anyone else of if I had to do this process again. Highly highly recommend
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner:Montana, thank you so much for the awesome review, I truly appreciate it. And more than anything, thank you for putting your trust in me. I know this one was not the easiest process and it took a little time, but getting that full $8,000 increase is exactly why we stayed the course. We probably could have wrapped things up quicker if we had only pushed for a few hundred dollars more, but that is not how I operate. If I believe there is more value there, I am going to fight for it. I am really glad we did, because that is a huge difference when it comes to getting you back to where you should be. Also, thank you for posting the photos. I mean… wow. Seeing that again, it just hits you. That was a serious accident, and the fact that you walked away from that is nothing short of amazing. The good lord was definitely looking out for you that day. I really appreciate your confidence in me and your recommendation. Hopefully you never have to go through this again, but if you do, I have got your back. Kind regards, Ken
Washington
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
Washington
Ashley Cervantes
Ken Nix was an absolute joy to work with and he did exactly what he said he would. He was able to get my payout increased enough to pay off my loan, buy back my car, and have some left over to repair it too! He even reassured me when insurance's third party appraiser tried to scare me into thinking I had made a big mistake. Hiring Ken was the best decision I could have made and I am 100% satisfied with the outcome. I could not recommend him more. Thank you so much Ken!
Response from the owner:Ashley, thank you so much for the wonderful review. It was truly a pleasure working with you, and I am so glad we were able to increase the value of your **2015 Honda CR-V** by more than **$2,700**, a **43.8 percent increase** over the original offer. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for insurance company representatives or the appraisers they hire to say things that make policyholders question whether they are making the right decision. I am glad I was able to answer your questions and give you the confidence to stay the course. In the end, being able to pay off your loan, buy your CR-V back, and still have money left over to repair it worked out. That is exactly why I enjoy doing this work. Thank you again for your trust and your kind words. You were an absolute pleasure to work with, and I truly appreciate your recommendation. I wish you many more miles with your CR-V, and if you ever need anything in the future, do not hesitate to reach out. Kind regards, Ken
Washington
Suraj Gaurav
I would highly recommend Ken, he greatly exceeded my expectations. And made the process very smooth to deal with the insurance company. He is a rock star! My Porsche Taycan had an accident and got totalled. State Farm offered a payout amount and Ken was able to raise it by $7000. The appreciation would not have been possible without him. I would recommend him in a heartbeat!! He’s easy to work with, very communicative, professional and the best at his game!!
Photo from customer reviewPhoto from customer review
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the awesome review, I really appreciate it. And I have to say… that Taycan was absolutely gorgeous. I have a red Maserati GranTurismo Sport myself, so I have a soft spot for beautiful cars, especially when they stand out like yours did. Seriously, stunning vehicle. I am really glad I could help make the process smooth for you and get things moving in the right direction with State Farm. A $7000 increase on a total loss claim is exactly why it is so important to challenge those initial valuations. Vehicles like yours are often undervalued, and I am happy we were able to push back and get you closer to the true market value through the appraisal clause process here in Oregon. I truly appreciate your trust, your kind words, and the recommendation. I hope you end up in another red Taycan because that would be a perfect replacement. If you ever need anything in the future, I am always 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.

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?

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Licensed Auto Appraiser for over 13 Years

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Over 35 years Experience as a Professional Negotiator

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

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Over 40 years of Automotive Experience

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

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

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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

Oregon Total loss auto appraiser Ken Nix, specializing in Total Loss Appraisals for vehicles.

  • 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 Nix's current Oregon Auto Appraisers Certification and License issued by ODOT

  • 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

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