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Total Loss Appraisal Support Nationwide

Not Sure Your Total Loss Offer Is Fair?

Get a Free Second Opinion Before You Accept It.

We’ll personally research your vehicle and the current market, then give you the value range we believe it is actually worth. Your review is completed by a real appraiser, not an automated valuation tool. Free, no obligation.

★★★★★
5.0 on Google

116 reviews
Independent review
No payment information required
Takes about 2 minutes

These are just a few of our Google reviews.

★★★★★

“My insurance company originally offered about $8k. With an easy email and a bit of info, they got me $11k, and all done within less than a week.”

Jeff Hagemann
★★★★★

“They were able to get my insurance company to increase the value of my car an additional $4,817.88. Thus putting about $4,000.00 in my pocket.”

Paul Cagino
★★★★★

“In my case he increased my totaled vehicle payout by over 30%. Most importantly, he kept me from dealing with the insurance company any longer. Definitely worth it!”

Jake Johnson
★★★★★

“The case ended up before an Umpire and my award was over 20k above the first payout. His fee was reasonable and he fought hard for me.”

Michael Pitzer
★★★★★

“Professional, knowledgeable, and responsive throughout the entire process. He took the time to explain everything clearly and worked diligently to ensure a fair valuation.”

Sungho Yun
★★★★★

“Fair Auto Appraisals did a great and fast job getting me a much better settlement than I would have gotten otherwise.”

Ron McVay
★★★★★

“I was very happy with the results he achieved (a value increase of $5k!) and would highly recommend him to anyone.”

Julia Tillman
★★★★★

“I was skeptical at first, but decided to proceed with the appraisal clause on my insurance and was able to get an additional $1500 increase on the ACV of my Tesla Model Y after fees paid.”

Roman Kharkovski
★★★★★

“Helped me get the correct value for my vehicle after the insurance organization tried to undervalue my car by several thousand dollars!”

Arteen Khani
★★★★★

“They fought for the highest price, made sure insurance was staying timely, and handled all the communication. I received a higher appraisal than what I bought the car for 1 month prior.”

Clayton Stevens
★★★★★

“Big stress relief once I was able to turn over the negotiations to a professional. A few weeks later a new agreed value was reached and a supplemental check was in the mail.”

Nate Postma
★★★★★

“Helped me get a $5700 increase before taxes and everything from NYCM who lowballed me after I got in an accident and deemed a totaled loss.”

Kevin Lin
★★★★★

“Seamless process and very timely. I received almost 6k more before taxes because of their due diligence.”

Jennifer Bryant
★★★★★

“Before I paid anything, he looked over my case to make sure it would be worth the time and money to fight the insurance company.”

Rebecca Schaap
★★★★★

“It really was an easy extra $1,000. Working with Fair Auto Appraisals was a painless process for what is otherwise a very disruptive and emotionally taxing life event.”

Jordan Budisantoso
★★★★★

“Helped me get what my car was really worth, really easy to talk to and completed the process sooner than expected.”

Kathrine Good
★★★★★

“If you need a vehicle appraisal, whether it’s for an accident or anything else, I’d recommend Fair Auto Appraisals. My truck was initially valued at $3,500, and he negotiated it up to $8,900.”

Gerardo Pineda
★★★★★

“Thanks to the appraisal, our payout increased by $2,870. The whole process only took about a week, and it was absolutely worth it.”

a Reenders
★★★★★

“I went with Fair Auto Appraisals and increased my payout by a little over $1700.”

Gage Blanchard
★★★★★

“The two appraisers agreed the car value was about $2K over the initial insurance company payout offer. After paying Fair Auto we got about $1400.”

Valerie Mills
★★★★★

“Great service! Results were better than expected.”

Zack R
★★★★★

“Fair Auto Appraisals communicated clearly from the beginning of how the process may go and delivered above and beyond our expectations.”

Michael Blass
★★★★★

“Fair Auto Appraisals did an amazing job with our claim and got us the amount we knew his truck was worth. He was able to get us close to 6k over the original offer.”

Candace Huskey
★★★★★

“Thanks to his efforts, we were able to increase the agreed-upon ACV by over $5,000. I was thoroughly satisfied with the final agreement.”

Jessica Vilchis
★★★★★

“I was able to get a second opinion with no commitment. I hope I never have to use this again, but if I do, I know who to call.”

James Vaughn
★★★★★

“Your motivation to go to bat for me was tireless. Could not have proven my point to the insurance company without you.”

Anthony Nisco
★★★★★

“What’s really appreciated is that he was upfront and honest about my situation and did not try to persuade me to pay for an appraisal where I would get less than the report cost.”

Steven Lange
★★★★★

“He could have taken my money and promised me more but didn’t and that shows his character. I would highly recommend to anyone that needs an auto appraisal.”

Kolin Anglin
★★★★★

“Phenomenal customer service, from the initial complimentary valuation through to engaging their services and securing a far higher valuation in less than a week.”

Law Law
★★★★★

“Insurance offer was less than 12000. Fair Auto negotiated a value of 18570 in less time than I expected. Very satisfied with their service.”

Billy Powell
★★★★★

“Excellent response. Helped me get a higher ACV from the insurance company on my truck.”

The Carpenter
★★★★★

“The appraisal process was quick and painless. We could not be happier with the result and with how easy the entire process was!”

RichFam Son
★★★★★

“From the first phone call to the final resolution, everything was smooth and easy. I got personal service that was prompt, friendly and attentive.”

rockin440
★★★★★

“I had been fighting with State Farm for over 6 months over what they valued my 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser. Fair Auto Appraisals did an actual fair appraisal and State Farm accepted it.”

Charles Kane

How It Works

What Happens After the Free Review

If we recommend moving forward, this is what the appraisal process looks like from there.
01

Invoke the Appraisal Clause

If we find the offer too low, we will recommend that you invoke the appraisal clause. If you agree, we will provide a letter of representation and clear instructions on how to proceed.

02

Appraisal & Representation

Once you invoke the appraisal clause, we handle everything from there. We will prepare a USPAP-compliant appraisal of your vehicle that’s 30+ pages long and considers all relevant factors, including condition, market trends, and comparable sales.

We will handle all communication with the independent appraiser hired by the insurer, actively negotiate on your behalf, and coordinate the umpire process if needed. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way. Our goal is to secure the best possible outcome for you.

03

Pricing

Our fee is $300 for the certified appraisal report, plus a 20% success fee calculated only on the amount we are able to increase the vehicle’s value. The success fee covers our full representation throughout the appraisal clause process and is capped at $2,500.

04

Money Back Guarantee

If we accept your case but cannot increase your vehicle’s value by at least $1,000, you will receive a full refund of the appraisal fee and no success fee or any other fees will be owed. This ensures there’s no financial risk in hiring us.

05

Umpire (Rare)

If the two appraisers cannot agree on the vehicle’s value, the appraisal clause allows an independent umpire to be brought in to help resolve the dispute. This is not required in most cases.

We do not charge an additional representation fee if an umpire is needed. The umpire charges a separate fee, typically about $500 to $750, which is generally split equally between you and the insurance company.

We will explain the situation and get your approval before proceeding with an umpire.

06

Timeline

Most cases are resolved in about 2 to 4 weeks. Timing varies by carrier, the opposing appraiser, and the complexity of the vehicle. Most cases are resolved without needing an umpire.

Why I Started Fair Auto Appraisals

I Went Through the Appraisal Clause Myself. Twice.

In 2012, I totaled my mint-condition 1992 Toyota Pickup in a rollover on an icy mountain road. It was an unusually clean truck, and the insurance company’s valuation came in well below what I knew it was actually worth.

That was the first time I learned about the appraisal clause. I invoked it, hired my own appraiser, and went through the process myself. The appraisers ultimately reached a fair value, and the difference was thousands of dollars.

Then it happened again.

In 2023, I was driving my 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 on I-15, heading out on a camping trip to St. George, Utah, when I smelled burning plastic and started seeing smoke coming through the dashboard vents. There was a fire in the engine compartment. I pulled over and tried to put it out with the extinguisher from my camper, but the fire spread too quickly and there was no saving the truck.

The truck had the 12 Valve Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, and 1998 was the final year before Dodge moved to the 24 Valve configuration. Among enthusiasts, that makes certain 1998 trucks especially desirable, and some refer to them as the “Holy Grail” of 12 Valve Cummins trucks.

The insurance company’s initial valuation was $14,548. Comparable trucks I found were being advertised in roughly the $23,000 to $28,000 range.

So, for the second time, I invoked the appraisal clause. The dispute dragged on for months and I went through more than one appraiser before the value was finally resolved.

Going through the process twice changed the direction of my career. I saw firsthand how difficult it can be for a vehicle owner to figure out what a vehicle is really worth, understand the appraisal process, find a competent appraiser, and get the dispute resolved fairly.

That is why I started Fair Auto Appraisals.

Today, when someone sends me a total loss valuation, I do my own market research, form an independent opinion of the vehicle’s value, and give the owner a straight answer.

Sometimes the insurance company’s number is reasonable, and I’ll say so. When I believe the vehicle is worth more and invoking the appraisal clause makes sense, I can take the owner through a process I have personally been through twice and have successfully helped more than a thousand clients navigate.

Dustin Rees, Founder of Fair Auto Appraisals
Dustin Rees
Founder, Fair Auto Appraisals LLC

FAQ

Common Questions

Is the second opinion really free?

Yes. There is no charge to send us your valuation for review and there is no obligation to hire us. If we think the insurance company’s valuation is reasonable, we’ll tell you that too.

What is included in the free second opinion?

We’ll research your vehicle and the current market, form an independent opinion of its value, and give you an estimated value range based on the evidence we find. We’ll compare that range with the insurance company’s valuation and tell you whether we think the offer looks reasonable or whether invoking the appraisal clause appears worth considering.

How do you estimate what my vehicle is worth?

We do our own independent research rather than relying on the insurance company’s valuation.

We review the major valuation sources, including Kelley Blue Book, J.D. Power, Black Book, and Manheim, and compare those reference points with the actual market.

We also search current vehicle listings on sources such as AutoTrader, Cars.com, CarGurus, CARFAX, TrueCar, AutoTempest, and dealer websites. We look for vehicles that are as comparable as possible in year, trim, mileage, equipment, drivetrain, condition, history, and overall configuration.

The goal is not to find the highest number available. It is to form a reasonable independent opinion of what the vehicle was actually worth immediately before the loss.

Do I need the insurance company’s valuation report?

The complete valuation report is very important because it shows us exactly what value the insurance company is using and gives us the information we need to evaluate the claim properly.

If you only have the dollar amount right now, you can still submit the form to get started. In most cases, though, we’ll want the complete valuation report before giving you a reliable opinion on whether the claim is worth pursuing.

If you do not have it, ask your adjuster for the complete market valuation report used to calculate your total loss offer. It may be a CCC One, Mitchell, Audatex, or another valuation report.

How much does it cost if I decide to hire you?

There are two separate charges.

The $300 appraisal fee pays for the independent appraisal itself. That includes the market research, comparable vehicles, valuation analysis, adjustments, supporting documentation, and preparation of the appraisal report.

The 20% success fee is separate and applies only to the amount we increase the vehicle’s value above the insurance company’s valuation. It pays for our representation through the appraisal clause process after the appraisal is prepared, including working directly with the insurance company’s appraiser, exchanging valuation evidence, negotiating the value, and continuing the case through resolution.

The success fee is capped at $2,500.

Do you have a guarantee?

Yes. If we accept your case but cannot increase your vehicle’s value by at least $1,000, we refund the $300 appraisal fee and no success fee is owed.

Does submitting the form mean I’m hiring you?

No. The first step is simply a free review. If we think appraisal makes financial sense, we’ll explain why and tell you what the next step would be. You can then decide whether you want to proceed.

Is everything handled remotely?

Yes. Our appraisal clause service is handled remotely using vehicle information, photos, documentation, vehicle history, market research, and comparable vehicles. There is normally no need to bring the vehicle anywhere.

What if the two appraisers cannot agree?

If the appraisers reach an impasse, an independent umpire can be brought in to help resolve the dispute. This is not required in most cases. We do not charge an additional representation fee if an umpire is needed. The umpire charges a separate fee, typically about $500 to $750, which is generally split equally between you and the insurance company. We will explain the situation and get your approval before proceeding.

How long does the appraisal process take?

Most cases are resolved in about 2 to 4 weeks once the appraisal process is underway. Timing varies depending on the insurance company, the opposing appraiser, and the complexity of the vehicle. Most cases are resolved without needing an umpire.

What if the other driver’s insurance company is handling my claim?

The appraisal clause is generally part of your own insurance policy, so it usually does not apply to a claim being handled only through the other driver’s insurance company. If you have collision coverage through your own policy, there may be another way to handle the valuation dispute through your own insurer.