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 Appraiser4.9

Based on 173 reviews

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

Dave Andrews

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

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

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!

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!!

Response from the owner:Mary, thank you so much for the kind words, I truly appreciate it. It was awesome working with you and your husband, and I am really glad we were able to get you that additional $2,000 on your total loss claim. That extra amount can make a big difference when it comes to replacing your vehicle, especially in today’s market. Insurance company valuations do not always reflect the true market value, so being able to step in and help through the appraisal clause process is exactly why I do what I do. Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. I am always here if you ever need help with a total loss or insurance appraisal in the future. Kind regards, Ken

Dat Nguyen

Faced with a total loss from USAA for hail damage they have been trying to undercut me on everything from my vehicles worth to the repairs that would be needed. For those reading this and are suffering from the Insurance companies abuse of power you aren't alone. Mr. Nix, who has been working my case fought and awarded me with 2k extra in my cars evaluation. While not only fighting for me as a client he is very informative and knowledgeable on all kinds of cases. He has helped me understand the situation and going beyond what is required to help make sure things get settled properly. Even with my appraisal being settled he is further helping me fight USAA to do the right thing, for this I am truly grateful to hear a voice that cares. 11/10

Response from the owner:Dat, thank you so much for taking the time to write this, I truly appreciate it. It was great working with you, and I am really glad I could help you push back and get that additional $2,000 on your vehicle. More importantly, I am glad I could help you better understand what was going on and make sure you were not being taken advantage of. I want you to know, I really do try to make myself available as much as possible, not just for my clients, but even for people who are just looking for guidance. Sometimes I get paid, sometimes I do not, and that is okay. I did not get into this for the money, I got into it to help people and to make sure they are treated fairly. There are a lot of moving parts in these claims, whether it is storage fees, rental issues, or insurance companies not providing the right information, and I do my best to step in wherever I can. A lot of people do not realize the time that goes into each case. Even something as simple as a call can take 20 minutes or more by the time I stop what I am doing, pull up the file, review everything, and then have a proper conversation. Multiply that by 20 clients in a day, and it adds up to over six hours just providing updates. At the same time, I am negotiating claims, reviewing valuations, dealing with insurance companies, and sometimes even reaching out to the Division of Financial Regulation when needed. My days usually start around 5 in the morning and go into the evening, because I want to make sure my clients are taken care of. I really appreciate your patience and your trust throughout the process, and I am glad I could continue helping even beyond the appraisal itself. That means a lot to me. Kind regards, Ken

Laura Stiffler

Ken was amazing from start to finish. Communicative, helpful...like we had a friend in our back pocket working for us. Going through an insurance claim is never easy, but Ken always made us feel like we would be OK, even when the insurance guys seemed to want to take advantage. When all was said and done, he got us an ADDITIONAL $50K in total value, which was HUGE for us! Would highly recommend.

Response from the owner:Laura, thank you so much for the incredible review, I truly appreciate you taking the time to share this. It was absolutely awesome working with you, and I am really glad I could be that “friend in your back pocket” through the process. That is exactly how I want my clients to feel, especially when things start getting stressful. And wow… that Sprinter van. Getting an additional $50,000 on that claim is exactly why I do what I do. That is not a small difference, that is life changing money for most families. What really gets me is that I consistently see these Mercedes Benz Sprinter vans undervalued by $30,000 to $50,000 on a regular basis. Whether it is a work van, a camper van, or partially converted, the valuation reports just do not reflect what these vehicles are actually selling for in the real market. It honestly blows my mind how many people take those initial offers. I see it all the time, and it makes me want to hit my head against the wall. These are not small numbers. People are leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table simply because they do not know they can fight it or they get worn down by the process. And then on top of that, you have these companies coming in, especially here in Oregon lately, offering no upfront cost but taking 25 to 50 percent of the increase. In your case, that could have been $12,500 to $25,000 out of your pocket. That is just not right. I would much rather see that money stay with you where it belongs. It was also great to see Progressive do the right thing and reimburse the appraisal fee. That is one of the biggest advantages here in Oregon with the appraisal clause process. If we move the needle, even by one cent, they are required to reimburse you, and in your case, it was obviously much more than that. I am really grateful you trusted me with this, and I am so glad we were able to get you the result you deserved. Thank you again for your kind words and your recommendation, it truly means a lot. Kind regards, Ken

James McNames

Great experience. They were able to negotiate a value that was approximately 50% higher than what the insurance company initially offered. Would use them again, and I strongly recommend them.

Aaron Lilak

Ken did a great job negotiating settlement on our total loss Chevy Bolt. Before hiring Ken, Liberty Mutual offered $9500 and then I found several nearly identical cars for around $15-16k and tried to negotiate with Liberty Mutual by sending them a list of comps....this resulted in only about a $600 increase and a lot of frustration from the insurance company claims adjuster and appraiser playing good cop/bad cop with me and insurance company playing games like lowering claim amount by an EV credit I don't even qualify for. I then told insurance company that I would invoke appraisal clause in policy and hired Ken and he negotiated settlement of $15,500 (almost a $5K increase from what I managed). There is a law in Oregon that if the appraisal increases from insurance offer by even $0.01 that insurance company must reimburse you for the appraisal, so Liberty Mutual also got stuck paying Ken for his service and my total cost for Ken's service was $0. Only downside is that the process takes a couple weeks.....that's probably part of the game where insurance company hopes you just sign whatever they put in front of you. I will recommend Ken to everyone that I know who is in a similar position in the future.

Response from the owner:Thank you, Aaron! You did all the right things—gathering comps, pushing back, and invoking the appraisal clause when Liberty Mutual started playing games. I’m really glad I could help bring your claim up from their $9,500 lowball to a proper $15,500. That $5,000 difference isn’t just numbers—it’s peace of mind and a real-world win. And you're absolutely right about Oregon law. Because the final settlement exceeded Liberty’s offer by more than a penny, they had to reimburse you for the full appraisal cost. I’ll never stop reminding folks—when done right, the appraisal clause doesn’t cost the consumer anything in the end. Thank you for putting your trust in me, and I’m grateful for your recommendation. Kind regards, Ken

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!!

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

Bret Levick

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

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

Jeff Reece

I totaled my vehicle. State Farm offered me 11k less than the market value was. I had no idea about any of this process or what to do. I found Leverage Auto Appraisals on Google. I got ahold of Ken the owner and from that point on I was literally on cruise control. Ken's credentials some of which are on their website are truly excellent. And excellent is the exact word I would use for the ENTIRE service I received from Ken. From his professionalism from start to finish to him putting my insurance agency on notice that he has been doing this far longer than any of them and knows every law and statute of the process that if they wanted an ethics contract signed he had no problem with that just first send him a copy of the appraiser they are using and how much have they paid him in the last year! No response from that! He wasn't intimidated and didn't let them walk all over me. Ken is like going to court with Johnny Cochran as an attorney compared to a public defender. I could in NO WAY find another person capable of doing a better job. I absolutely recommend him over anyone else!

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 🙏

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