When You Need An Independent Car Appraisal

Let’s cut to the chase: after a car accident, your insurance company isn’t always your ally. Their priority? Paying you as little as possible—unless you prove otherwise. This is especially true for diminished value and total loss claims. Here’s when and why an independent car appraisal can make a difference.

Understanding Diminished Value

Diminished value is the loss in your car’s worth after an accident, even after repairs. If you weren’t at fault, the at-fault driver’s insurance owes you this amount on top of repair costs. Insurance adjusters often use the 17c formula, starting with your car’s pre-accident value from sources like KBB.com. For newer, stock vehicles with plenty of market comps, this might be straightforward. But you should always double-check their numbers to ensure they reflect your car’s true value.

Things get complicated with custom, aftermarket, luxury, classic, or collector cars. Generic valuation tools like KBB can’t account for unique features or vehicles over 20 years old, often leading to disputes over the car’s pre-accident worth.

What Can You Do?

You don’t have to take the insurance company’s offer at face value. Your policy’s appraisal clause lets you hire an independent auto appraiser for an unbiased valuation. Avoid using the insurance company’s appraiser—they’re not always impartial because they have to do what is in the best interest of the insurance company. A third-party expert ensures fairness because they work for you.

Total Loss Claims

If your car is deemed a total loss and the settlement seems too low, challenge it. An independent appraiser can determine your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) before the accident, factoring in customizations or collector status that insurers often undervalue.

Choosing the Right Appraiser

When looking for an independent auto appraiser, look for someone who is:

• Local: Someone who knows your market.
• Experienced: Skilled with classic, custom, or rare vehicles. Perhaps worked in the insurance industry or in a body shop in the past.
• Independent: No ties to insurance companies. The ensures an unbiased approach. 
• Certified: Meets professional standards. 
• Responsive: Communicates clearly and quickly throughout the process.

Why Choose Auto Appraisal Network of Charlotte?

At Auto Appraisal Network of Charlotte, we’re your local, independent experts in diminished value and total loss claims. We specialize in documenting what matters—custom upgrades, market-specific comps, and more. Our certified, professionally bound appraisal reports give you the leverage to fight for a fair settlement. Owner, David Bregoli, worked within the insurance industry for years and knows how it works. A certified appraisal from Auto Appraisal Network is what you need to prove what your vehicle is worth to the insurance company, and get the amount  you’re owed. 

Auto Appraisal Network of Charlotte provides professionally documented, unbiased reports that can help you fight for the settlement you deserve.

 ✅ Certified Reports
✅ Customizations & Upgrades Documented
✅ Independent & Experienced Appraisers

Don’t settle for less. Contact Auto Appraisal Network of Charlotte today to schedule your independent appraisal and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us at (704) 703-4801 to schedule your appraisal today. 

Auto Appraisal Network - Charlotte specializes in appraisals for classic, custom and collector vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUV's, motorcycles, boats and personal watercraft.  We do appraisals for insurance policies and claims, such as diminished value and total loss, probate, bankruptcy, divorce, financing, fair market value and pre-purchase inspections. 

Our appraisals are certified and accepted by the legal system, insurance companies and financial institutions. When you need an accurate, fair assessment of the value of your ride, you need Auto Appraisal Network - Charlotte. Call (704) 703-4801 to schedule your appraisal today.