Total Loss Oregon

Who Decides if your vehicle is a total loss?

If your vehicle is damaged, the insurance company may declare it a total loss, often because the repair costs are impractical. In Oregon, the insurance company is required to provide you with a written notice explaining the total loss process. This notice should include details on how vehicle values are determined and what to do if you disagree with the insurer’s offer.

Determining the Right Company to File Your Total Loss Claim Against

If you believe the other party in a crash is at fault, you can file a claim with either their insurance company or your own. However, the other insurance company has the right to investigate the accident and decide whether to accept or deny responsibility.

If you file with your own insurance company, you will need to pay your deductible. Which should just come out of your final settlement. You should be reimbursed for the deductible by the other company if they accept responsibility.

If you’re offered less than you think your vehicle is worth.

In Oregon, insurance companies generally use evaluation services to determine the value of your vehicle after an accident. You are entitled to receive compensation equivalent to what you could have sold your vehicle for before the accident occurred. Oregon law requires insurance companies to provide you with the valuation or appraisal reports they use to determine your vehicle’s value. This should ensure that you understand how the value was calculated and allows you to verify its accuracy. Although, some valuations are off by thousands of dollars.

If you feel you’ve been lowballed by the insurance  company, you must prove a higher value by:

1. Review the Valuation Reports: Examine the reports the insurance company used to determine your vehicle’s value. Ensure all the options and details of your vehicle are accurately listed, including the year, make, mileage, equipment, and condition.
   • Correct any discrepancies in the information. (this is very common)
   • Verify that the comparable vehicles listed are from your local area.
   • Reassess your vehicle’s value after any necessary corrections are made.
2. Research Local Sales:
   • Check local newspapers and online resources like AutoTrader and Edmunds for private-party and dealership sales. (Make sure to print the comparable ads so that the Price, Miles and VIN are visable. I suggest printing them as a PDF)
   • Ensure the vehicles you compare are similar in make, model, mileage, and options.
   • Call to find out if the vehicles are actually for sale, or they have been wholesaled.
3. Document Your Findings:
   • Record the details of who you called, the date, and their response.
   • Send copies of your findings to the insurance company and request a review.
   • Attach this information to the advertisement.

If you believe the other party’s insurance company is not offering a fair amount, you can submit the claim to your own insurance company, provided you have collision coverage on the vehicle.

The Appraisal Clause in YOUR POLICY

If you disagree with the value your insurance company offers, your policy may include an appraisal provision. Total Loss Appraisal processes can vary, so check your policy or consult your claims representative. Typically, the process works as follows:

1. You get an appraisal, which you pay for.
2. The company gets an appraisal, which it pays for.
3. If the appraisers don’t agree on the value, they will agree on an umpire. You and the company each pay half of the umpire’s cost.

IN OREGON ONLY, Insurance companies must reimburse you for reasonable appraisal costs if the final appraised value of your vehicle is higher than the company’s last offer.

Leverage can provide you with both an appraisal and also negotiate against your insurance company’s appraiser to dispute the lowball valuations and obtain the true market value of your vehicle.

Key Responsibilities of a Total Loss Appraiser:

1. Determining Market Value: A total loss appraiser is tasked with assessing the market value of a vehicle just before the loss occurred. This involves comparing similar vehicles in the local market to accurately estimate the value.
2. Preparing Appraisals: They prepare detailed appraisals that outline the vehicle’s condition and market value. This documentation is crucial for negotiations with insurance companies.
3. Vehicle Inspections: If necessary, the appraiser inspects the subject vehicle to gather all relevant information about its condition and any damages sustained.
4. Negotiations: They negotiate with opposing appraisers, typically those working for the insurance company, to agree on the true market value of the vehicle. This negotiation ensures that the policyholder receives a fair payout.

In Oregon, a vehicle is considered a total loss if the cost of repairs exceeds 80% of its value. Therefore, the appraiser’s accurate valuation is essential for determining whether the vehicle should be repaired or totaled.

By leveraging local market knowledge and expertise, auto appraisers in Portland and throughout Oregon ensure that policyholders are fairly compensated in total loss claims. Their work involves a thorough understanding of the local automotive market, meticulous documentation, and skilled negotiation to protect the interests of vehicle owners.

Qualifications of an Oregon Licensed Auto Appraiser

In order to become an Oregon licensed auto appraiser, there are certain qualifications and requirements that must be met. Our appraiser, Ken Nix, has met all of these qualifications and has been licensed and certified by the Oregon Department of Transportation to appraise vehicles in Oregon for over 13 years.

In addition to these requirements, it is important for auto appraisers to have strong communication and negotiation skills, as well as knowledge of the automotive industry and the ability to assess damage accurately.

Increase Your Vehicle’s Total Loss Value

You do not have to accept your insurer’s lowball offer. 

If you believe your insurance company is undervaluing your vehicle, you don’t have to accept their offer. You can negotiate directly with the adjuster. Additionally, if you have full coverage in Oregon and your policy includes an appraisal provision, consider hiring Leverage Auto Appraisals. Based in Oregon, they have a licensed and certified ODOT appraiser who can accurately assess your vehicle’s value and negotiate your total loss claim with the insurer.

According to Oregon Law. The appraisal costs must be reimbursed by your insurer if the final appraised value exceeds their last offer. Leverage Auto Appraisals is a local Oregon-based auto appraisal company with a licensed Oregon auto appraiser certified by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) who will assess and negotiate the total loss claim with your insurance company.

At Leverage Auto Appraisals, we focus solely on consumers in Oregon and Washington. We have no affiliation with any insurance company and are committed to always providing objective and unbiased assessments of your vehicle’s value, then negotiating with your insurance company to obtain the real fair market value you should be paid.

Over 99 percent of our client’s services have been free on 1st policy total loss claims in Oregon for the past 13+ years. Leverage provides credible appraisals to Oregon policyholders for total loss and we also negotiate your claim free of charge on all first-party claims. (with your own insurance company).

You need LEVERAGE

We provide credible total loss appraisals and Expert Negotiation to help you get a fair settlement on your totaled or stolen car or truck.

OREGON Certified/Licensed Auto Appraiser # V34-075

Vehicles we specialize in:

Acura, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Corvette, Dodge, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Freightliner, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, International, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mini-Cooper, Mitsubishi, Oldsmobile, Peterbilt, Plymouth, Pontiac, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Saab, Saturn, Scion, Shelby, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo.

RV’s – American Coach, Coachmen RV, Entegra Coach, Fleetwood RV, Forest River RV, Holiday Rambler, Jayco, Monaco Coach, Newmar, Nexus RV, Thor Motor Coach, Tiffin, Winnebago

Trucks, Stolen F-350, F-250, F-250, Diesel trucks, 7.3, Duramax, Cummins, Sprinter Vans, Camper Vans, and more.