20 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Oregon Total Loss Appraiser
Choosing the wrong appraiser could affect how much you ultimately receive for your totaled vehicle.
This information is specifically for Oregon vehicle owners disputing the value of a total loss under the appraisal clause in their own insurance policy. Leverage Auto Appraisals does not handle third party liability claims through this service.
Before hiring any total loss appraiser, ask these 20 questions.
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Why Asking the Right Questions Matters
When your vehicle is deemed a total loss, it's crucial to have an accurate appraisal to ensure you receive fair compensation. Asking the right questions helps you choose a qualified appraiser who can provide an unbiased and thorough evaluation.
By understanding the appraisal process and knowing what to inquire about, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure your vehicle's value is accurately assessed. This knowledge empowers you to make confident decisions and protect your financial interests.
Essential Questions for Your Appraiser
1. Who will actually be my appraiser?
Ask for the full name of the person who will appraise your vehicle before you pay.
Some websites advertise an appraisal service without identifying the individual who will actually handle the claim.
With Leverage, your appraiser is Ken Nix. His name, photograph, experience, location, and Oregon credentials are publicly available.
2. Can I speak directly with the appraiser before hiring the company?
Find out whether you can speak with the actual appraiser or only with a salesperson, intake representative, or call center.
When you contact Leverage, you communicate directly with Ken, the person who will handle your appraisal.
3. Will I receive the appraiser’s direct telephone number?
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Ask whether you will receive direct access to your appraiser after hiring the company, or whether every call must go through a general company number.
Leverage clients receive Ken’s direct cell phone number.
4. Who will personally produce my appraisal?
The person selling the service may not be the person researching or producing the appraisal.
Ask whether your appraisal will be prepared by the named appraiser, an employee, a subcontractor, or an automated platform.
Ken personally researches and produces every Leverage total loss appraisal.
5. Who will personally negotiate my claim?
Producing a report and negotiating an appraisal clause dispute are not the same service.
Ask whether the actual appraiser will communicate with the insurance company’s appraiser and negotiate the final value, or whether the file will be handed to someone else.
Ken personally negotiates every Leverage appraisal clause claim.
6. Is negotiation included in the appraisal fee?
Some companies charge one fee for the report and additional fees or percentages for negotiation, telephone calls, correspondence, or continued involvement.
Leverage includes appraisal clause negotiation in the appraisal flat fee. We do not charge a separate hourly negotiation fee.
7. Is my claim being handled by artificial intelligence?
Ask whether artificial intelligence or automated software will select the comparable vehicles, calculate the value, write the report, or communicate about your claim.
Technology can assist with research, but it should not replace the judgment of an experienced appraiser.
Leverage appraisals are personally researched, analyzed, and negotiated by Ken. Your claim is not handled exclusively by artificial intelligence.
8. Is the company operating as a high-volume appraisal service?
Ask how many files each appraiser handles and whether the company’s business model depends on completing large numbers of reports as quickly as possible.
A high-volume process may reward speed and quick settlements rather than detailed research and persistent negotiation.
Leverage does not operate as a faceless appraisal mill. Ken remains personally responsible for every appraisal he accepts.
9. Does the appraiser work for insurance companies?
Ask this question directly:
“Do you, your company, your employees, or any affiliated business accept assignments or revenue from insurance companies?”
An appraiser may represent a consumer on one claim while relying on recurring insurance company assignments for other work.
Leverage Auto Appraisals has never accepted revenue from an insurance company. We work exclusively for consumers.
10. Has the appraiser previously worked for my insurance company?
Prior insurance experience does not automatically disqualify an appraiser, but you have a right to understand the appraiser’s professional relationships.
Ask whether the appraiser currently works for, previously worked for, or regularly receives assignments from your insurer or one of its appraisal vendors.
11. Does the appraiser consider themselves disinterested?
Many policy appraisal clauses require each party to select a competent and disinterested appraiser.
Ask the appraiser to explain any employment, financial, referral, vendor, or business relationship that could reasonably be relevant to their independence.
12. Is the appraiser certified in Oregon?
Ask whether the individual appraiser holds a current Oregon Vehicle Appraiser Certificate or relies solely on a credential issued elsewhere.
An out-of-state credential may qualify under Oregon law, but it does not demonstrate Oregon market experience.
Ken Nix holds Oregon Vehicle Appraiser Certificate V34-075.
13. How long has the appraiser actually worked in Oregon?
Specialization can be beneficial if your vehicle has unique characteristics or value considerations.
14. Does the appraiser specialize in Oregon total loss appraisal clause claims?
General automotive knowledge is not the same as experience handling Oregon policy appraisal clause disputes.
Ask how much of the appraiser’s work involves total losses, appraisal clauses, and direct negotiations with insurance company appraisers in Oregon.
Oregon total loss appraisal clause work is the primary focus of Leverage Auto Appraisals.
15. Does the company handle claims under my own policy or third party claims?
These are different types of claims with different legal rights and procedures.
Leverage’s Oregon appraisal clause service is limited to first party total loss claims made under the vehicle owner’s own insurance policy. We do not use the policy appraisal clause service for claims directly against another driver’s insurance company.
16. Does the appraiser charge a percentage of my settlement increase?
Ask whether the fee is fixed, hourly, contingent, or calculated as a percentage of the additional settlement.
A percentage fee could cost substantially more than a disclosed flat appraisal fee which on Appraisal Clause claims in Oregon, is 100% reimbursed if we increase the claim just one cent.
Leverage does not take a percentage of your settlement. You keep 100% of the additional amount obtained. We provide complete instructions and sample text to request reimbursement from your insurance company.
17. Will the appraiser explain Oregon’s fee reimbursement law?
Under ORS 742.466, an insurer must reimburse reasonable appraisal costs when the policy contains an appraisal provision and the final appraisal decision exceeds the insurer’s last offer made before the appraisal costs were incurred.
Ask the appraiser whether your particular claim appears to meet those requirements and what documentation will be provided to request reimbursement.
In more than 99% of Leverage’s Oregon policy appraisal clause claims, our clients have received full reimbursement of our appraisal fee.
18. How will the comparable vehicles be verified?
Ask whether the appraiser will personally examine the comparable vehicles, VINs, equipment, mileage, location, title history, listing status, and differences from your vehicle him/herself or if someone else will do that.
Simply copying online advertisements into a report does not establish that the vehicles are truly comparable.
Leverage personally researches the Oregon market and evaluates the evidence used by the insurance company.
19. What happens after the appraisal is completed?
Ask whether the service ends when a report is generated or whether the appraiser remains involved through negotiation and settlement.
Also ask what happens if the two appraisers cannot agree and an umpire is proposed.
Leverage remains involved through the appraisal clause negotiation process. Any potential umpire involvement and additional cost are discussed with the client before proceeding.
20. Can I verify the appraiser’s experience and results?
Look for independent reviews that identify the actual appraiser and discuss communication, settlement increases, negotiation, and appraisal fee reimbursement.
Do not rely solely on anonymous testimonials, guarantees, or claims made on the company’s own website.
Leverage Auto Appraisals has more than 190 five-star Google reviews from consumers. Ken’s identity, Oregon credentials, experience, and client results are publicly available.
Know Who You Are Hiring
Your insurance company already has its own valuation professionals and appraisers. Before choosing someone to represent your interests, find out who the appraiser is, who pays them, where their loyalty lies, and who will actually handle your claim.
When you hire Leverage Auto Appraisals:
• You work directly with Ken Nix.
• Ken personally produces your appraisal.
• Ken personally negotiates your claim.
• You receive Ken’s direct cell phone number.
• Leverage works exclusively for consumers.
• Leverage has never accepted revenue from an insurance company.
• Your appraisal is not produced entirely by artificial intelligence.
• You never surrender a percentage of your settlement increase.
• Negotiation is included in the appraisal fee.
• More than 99% of our Oregon policy appraisal clause clients have received full appraisal fee reimbursement.
Before invoking your appraisal clause, send Leverage the insurance company’s valuation for a free initial claim review.
Know who you are hiring. Get Leverage.
What Our Clients Are Saying
★★★★★
"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."
Jeff Reece - 2019 Dodge Charger
Client - Total Loss Appraisal Clause
$6,814.00 increase. Full reimbursement of our fee by State Farm.
★★★★★
"Now everyone wants upfront service with a smile. Ken did exactly that for us. It took 6 months to deal with State Farm at their pace. He stayed with them every step of the way. I ended up getting $22k for my truck after it was all said and done. It went from $16k to $22k. The best part is the insurance has to pay his fee for him being right on the price. "
Tracker Bain - 2005 Dodge Cummings 2500
Client - Total Loss Appraisal Clause
$6,000.00 Increase. Full reimbursement of our fee by State Farm
★★★★★
"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.."
Laura Stiffler - 2021 Sprinter Van
Client - Total Loss Appraisal Clause
$50,000 increase Full reimbursement of our Fee by Progressive.
Ready to Discover Your Vehicle's True Value?
Don't leave your vehicle's worth to chance. Contact Leverage Auto Appraisals today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Ken Nix is ready to assist you with personalized service and expert advice. Reach out now to take the first step towards a fair and accurate appraisal.
