Negotiating a total loss value with your Oregon based automotive insurance company can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can make sure that you get fair compensation for your vehicle. Here’s how to negotiate a total loss value with your Oregon based automotive insurance company.

1. Gather necessary documentation: Before contacting your insurance company, gather all documents related to the vehicle such as purchase documents, service records, receipts of improvements or modifications made to the car and any other items that may affect its value before the accident. This will help you provide evidence of how much money you put into the vehicle in case there is a disagreement about how much it is worth.

2. Contact your insurance company: Once you have all the necessary documentation, contact your insurance company and explain that you are looking to negotiate a total loss value for your vehicle. Your insurance company will then provide you with an estimate of how much they are willing to pay out for the vehicle.

3. Research market values: Take some time to research how much similar vehicles in good condition are selling for in the area. This can help give you a better idea of how much the car is worth, and it may even be more than what the insurance company initially offered.

4. Negotiate: If there is a large difference between what the insurance company is offering and how much similar cars are going for in the area, then you can use that evidence to negotiate for a higher total loss value. Explain your research and how the car’s value should be more than what they are offering. Be sure to remain polite and professional throughout the negotiation process so that you can come away with a fair amount.

By following these steps, you may be able to successfully negotiate a total loss value with your Oregon based automotive insurance company, so that you can get the most out of your vehicle’s worth. Good luck!

If you’re not successful in negotiating the claim for more yourself. Here are a few more tips

1. Understand the appraisal clause included in your insurance policy – Most auto collision policies have an appraisal clause that permits you to request an independent auto appraisal in cases of disagreement over the value of a vehicle deemed as a total loss. Knowing what is stated in the appraisal clause can help you understand your rights and if you have grounds to dispute an insurance company’s total loss offer.

2. Requesting a second opinion on the value – A professional Oregon certified vehicle appraiser may provide insight into how much your vehicle is actually worth.  We provide a free claim review to help you determine this. See below…

3. Want your vehicle totaled and they insist on repairing it? Check for hidden damage not previously disclosed – Many times there are damages not discovered during an initial inspection that can add to repair costs. Checking for hidden damage could provide leverage to dispute an insurance company’s reason for not totaling your vehicle. The vehicle should be safe, not just fixed.

4. Consider the value of restoring your vehicle if it has sentimental or historical value – If you own a classic, limited-edition, or antique vehicle, it may be more valuable restored than what the insurance company is offering as their total loss appraisal. You will normally need to have an independent auto appraiser help you determine this.

5. Comparing used car prices and values – Searching for similar vehicles in good condition and comparing used car prices and values can help determine if an insurance company is providing fair compensation on a total loss appraisal amount. Be aware that prices have been coming down lately and if your date of loss is more than a couple of weeks from today, you should have a professional appraiser review your claim as time is of the essence.

6. Negotiate with the adjuster – After gathering evidence that suggests you should receive more money, you can start to negotiate with the adjuster in an effort to increase the total loss appraisal amount. If you invoke your appraisal clause, you wont have to negotiate with him and they will have to hire an independent auto appraiser themselves, not just force you to take their value.

7. Contacting your state insurance department – If conversations with your adjuster are not successful, it may be worthwhile to contact your state’s insurance department for assistance. The Oregon insurance commissioner’s department can review your claim and provide advice on how best to proceed in order to receive a fair total loss appraisal offer from your insurance company. If you need to file a complaint or reach out to them you can reach them here: https://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx