Response from the owner:I really appreciate you sharing this, thank you. And yes, that was a sharp BMW, definitely a tough one to see go so soon after you picked it up. Unfortunately, that is when a lot of people first realize how far off insurance valuations can be.

You did exactly the right thing by questioning the offer and reaching out. As a licensed auto appraiser here in Oregon, I see it all the time where vehicles like yours are undervalued through automated reports. I am glad we were able to step in, invoke the appraisal clause, and ultimately help you secure about $4300 more on your total loss settlement. That is money that makes a real difference when trying to replace a vehicle like that.

I know the process can feel stressful at times, especially with a little waiting involved, but I am glad I was able to help make it more manageable along the way. Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and for recommending me to others. That means everything.

Kind regards,
Ken

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing this, and I am truly sorry you had to go through such a traumatic accident, especially with a car that was only two weeks old. That is a tough situation on so many levels, and I am really glad I could help take some of that weight off your shoulders during the process.

Insurance claims can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you are already dealing with the stress of a total loss. I am happy we were able to push back through the appraisal clause process and secure that additional $2000 plus for you. Getting the appraisal fee reimbursed as well is exactly how it should work here in Oregon, and I am glad everything came together in your favor.

I truly appreciate your trust and your recommendation. It means a lot to me to be able to help people navigate these situations and come out with a fair result.

Kind regards,
Ken

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

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

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the awesome review, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. And thank you for posting the photos of your truck, that Tundra was a very nice truck. Always makes it a little tougher when you see how clean and well kept a vehicle was before a total loss.

I am really glad I could help make a stressful situation a lot easier for you. Going from $16,296 to $20,600 is a strong result, and exactly why it is so important to challenge those initial insurance offers. Too often they come in low, and without pushing back, people end up settling for less than what their vehicle is actually worth.

I truly appreciate your trust and the recommendation. It means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again.

Kind regards,
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

Response from the owner:Jake, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review, I truly appreciate it. It was an absolute pleasure working with you, and I am really glad you trusted your instincts when that $13,400 valuation just didn’t sit right.

Getting your settlement up to $19,600 and securing that $6,200 increase is exactly why I do what I do. I am very passionate about helping people get what they truly deserve, not some lowball number that gets pushed on them in hopes they will just accept it and move on. The reality is, these insurance valuations are often riddled with problems. The comps are not inspected, have no photos, erased from the internet, and there is little to no transparency on condition assuming their comps are in excellent condition when in fact the majority they use are in worse. This is 2026, not 1994, there is no reason they can't provide photos of their comps. I regularly find vehicles with prior frame or structural damage, poor repairs, and even branded titles being used as comparables. It is honestly unacceptable.

What frustrates me the most is how many people just take that first offer. There are hundreds of thousands of people every year across this country who accept less than what their vehicle is worth simply because they do not know they have options. Some of the increases I have seen are life changing. Last year alone, I had a claim increase by around $50,000. That should not even be possible if the system was working correctly, but it happens more often than people realize.

I really do believe we should expect better from both insurance companies and the systems in place that are supposed to oversee them. Until that changes, I will keep doing everything I can to stand up for people and make sure they are treated fairly.

Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and your recommendation. Hopefully you never need me again, but if you do, I have got your back.

Kind regards,
Ken

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

Response from the owner:Walt, thank you so much for taking the time to write such an incredible review, I truly appreciate it. And thank you for including the photos, that was a really severe front end collision. Seeing that kind of damage really puts things into perspective, and I am just glad your daughter is okay. Vehicles can be replaced, people cannot.

I am really glad we were able to step in and help you through that situation. Unfortunately, what you experienced with the insurance company is all too common. These total loss valuations are often low right out of the gate, and most people do not realize they have the right to challenge them through the appraisal clause. That is where I come in, making sure people are not stuck accepting less than what their vehicle is truly worth.

And yeah… I guess you could say I do know where a few of the bones are buried. Ha ha. I have been doing this a long time, and over the years I have built a strong network of dealers and industry contacts. A lot of those relationships go back to when I worked with Reynolds and Reynolds and during my time helping run a large automotive forum network for about 10 years. Even now, I will call a dealer about a comparable and hear someone in the background say, “Is that Ken Nix?” after not talking for 10 or 15 years. It is pretty cool, and those relationships really help when it comes to getting accurate real world market data and holding these valuations accountable.

I am grateful you trusted me with your claim, and I am really glad we were able to get you a substantially better outcome. Thank you again for the kind words, they truly mean a lot.

Kind regards,
Ken

Response from the owner:Jessica, thank you so much for the amazing review, I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was honestly awesome working with you, and I am really glad I could help guide you through everything, especially since this was your first time dealing with a total loss situation.

That jump from $12,233 to $17,950, a $5,700 increase, is a fantastic result. And on a van, that is saying a lot. Most of the time we see increases in that $3,000 to $4,000 range on vans, so getting close to $6,000 definitely made me feel like I had my Wheaties that morning. I am just glad I was able to help you get what your vehicle was actually worth.

State Farm does tend to rely on CCC valuations, which in my experience are often on the low side. That said, I will give credit where it is due, State Farm is generally a solid insurance company, and many of the appraisers they hire tend to be more ethical than some others out there. That definitely helps when it comes to reaching a fair resolution.

Thank you again for your trust and for recommending Leverage Auto Appraisals. It truly means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again.

Kind regards,
Ken

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

Response from the owner:Mehdi, thank you so much for the kind words, I really appreciate you taking the time to write this. It was great working with you, and I am really glad I was able to help you navigate that situation and ultimately keep your vehicle from being totaled.

Not every case needs to go all the way through the appraisal clause process. Sometimes just knowing how these insurance companies operate and using the right information at the right time can make all the difference. I am glad you were able to use that leverage and get a better outcome.

Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. It truly means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need anything in the future.

Kind regards,
Ken

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

Response from the owner:Ian, thank you for taking the time to leave a review, I really appreciate it. I am glad we were able to get you to a fair settlement, that is always the goal.

I always tell people, choosing the right appraiser matters. There are a lot of auto appraisers out there doing all kinds of work, divorce, probate, classic cars, you name it. But total loss claims are their own animal. It is kind of like needing open heart surgery and being given three choices, a dentist, a chiropractor like Alan on Two and a Half Men, or a heart specialist. I mean… you are probably not picking Alan. Ha ha.

I am really glad you trusted me with your claim and that we were able to get things where they should have been. Thank you again, and I am always here if you ever need help down the road.

Kind regards,
Ken

Response from the owner:Bob, thank you so much for the great review, I truly appreciate it. And I have to say, I had a lot of fun working with you as well. It always makes the process that much better when I get to work with good people.

That $5,000 increase on your Ram was as strong as bear's breath, and exactly why it is so important to push back when the insurance company comes in low. I am really glad we were able to get you where you needed to be.

Also, thank you for taking the time to include a photo. That really means a lot. It helps other people see that these are real situations with real results, not just a bunch of fake bullcrap like I see on some of these review sites. I genuinely appreciate you going the extra mile to do that.

Thanks again for your trust and your kind words. I am always here if you ever need help again.

Kind regards,
Ken

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words, I truly appreciate you taking the time to write this. It was awesome working with you, and I am really glad I could help make the process feel smooth and a little less stressful.

That is always my goal, to take something that is usually frustrating and confusing and make it as straightforward as possible while making sure you are treated fairly. These total loss situations can be overwhelming, especially when the insurance company is not coming in where they should, so I am glad we were able to get you a better outcome.

Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. It really means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help in the future.

Kind regards,
Ken

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

Response from the owner:Howard, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review, I truly appreciate it. And I really want to emphasize how much your review helps other people. There are so many folks out there dealing with total loss claims who have no idea that they can challenge the insurance company’s valuation. They just accept whatever number is put in front of them, even when it is way off. Reviews like yours show people that this process actually works and that they do not have to accept some stupidly low value that the insurance company is trying to shove down their throat.

I am really glad we were able to step in and get you over a $9,000 increase. That is a significant difference, and that is exactly why I am so passionate about what I do. Situations like yours happen every single day, and unfortunately a lot of people never question it. Last year alone I handled 336 claims, and only three of those did not result in at least a $1,000 increase. The odds are very strong when the valuation is off, but there are always variables. I am not a clairvoyant, I do not know who the opposing appraiser will be or how they will approach it. Sometimes we get someone local who understands the Oregon market, and sometimes we get an out of state appraiser who has no clue what vehicles are actually worth here, and those are the ones we really have to fight.

In your case, this was a State Farm claim, and I want to be clear, I actually think State Farm is a good company overall. The issue is more with the valuation companies they rely on. CCC valuations in particular tend to come in low, and unfortunately there are not many alternatives out there, some of which are even worse. So while I do not fault State Farm directly, the system they are working within can produce some pretty inaccurate results.

Another big issue is the use of so called independent appraisers who are anything but independent. Many of these appraisers are either employees or receive massive amounts of repeat business from the same insurance companies, sometimes millions of dollars worth. It is hard to believe there is no bias there, even if it is subconscious. When your income depends on keeping that relationship, it creates a conflict whether people want to admit it or not.

I know this one took a little longer than usual, especially since we had to deal with an out of state appraiser, but I really appreciate your patience and your trust in me throughout the process. I am glad we stuck with it and got you the result you deserved.

Thank you again for your kind words and for helping others by sharing your experience. It really does make a difference.

Kind regards,
Ken

Response from the owner:David, thank you so much for the awesome and detailed review, I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Reviews like yours really help other people understand that this process works and that they do not have to just accept whatever number the insurance company puts in front of them.

You did exactly what I wish more people would do, you took a little time to look at the report and compare it to the real market. It does not take long to realize when something is off. Like you said, those initial offers tend to come in low more often than not. I am really glad you trusted your instincts and decided to move forward.

Getting you from $9,533 to $11,750, that $2,217 increase, is exactly why I do what I do. And I am glad the process felt easy on your end. That is always my goal, take the stress off my clients and handle everything behind the scenes.

I also appreciate you mentioning the upfront fee hesitation. That is completely normal. But like you said, in Oregon, if we increase the value by even a dollar, the insurance company is required to reimburse that fee. The odds are very strong, and I am glad it worked out exactly how it should have for you.

Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. It really means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again.

Kind regards,
Ken

Response from the owner:Sandy, 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 help turn things around when it felt like you were hitting a wall.

Dealing with a total loss after hitting a deer is stressful enough, and when the valuation comes in low, it just adds to that frustration. I hear that a lot, people feeling like they are running out of options. I am glad we were able to step in, work through the appraisal clause process, and get your Highlander where it should have been. That $2,000 plus increase makes a real difference.

I also appreciate your patience with the timeline, especially waiting on State Farm to assign their appraiser. That part is unfortunately out of our control, but once things get moving, I do everything I can to keep it efficient and straightforward.

Thank you again for your trust, your kind words, and your recommendation. It really means a lot to me, and I am always here if you ever need help again.

Kind regards,
Ken

Response from the owner:Jim, thank you again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful review, I truly appreciate it. It was an absolute pleasure working with you, and I am really glad we were able to get this one across the finish line the right way.

This was definitely one that took some time, but like you said, patience made all the difference. Going from $20,000 to $26,000, that $6,000 increase, is exactly why I refuse to take the path of least resistance. It would have been very easy to settle this case early for a couple thousand more and move on, and unfortunately that is what a lot of appraisers do. But that is not why I got into this. I got into this to help people, not to chase quick and easy settlements.

I will be honest, it does irk me a bit that there are appraisers out there who claim they are working for the consumer, when in reality they are just working for themselves. Some of them charge no upfront fee, which sounds great, but then take a large percentage of the increase on the back end. In a case like yours, that could have been $3,000 or more out of your pocket. That is not how I operate. My goal is to get every dollar I truly believe your vehicle is worth, not just take the easy win.

I am really glad you trusted the process and gave me the time to do what needed to be done. That is how we got the result we did.

Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and your recommendation. It truly means a lot.

Kind regards,
Ken

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