We calculate your estimate differently depending on what happened.
We use your document only to calculate your estimate. We do not share or sell your information.
What this is, and what your report looks like
Your insurer's report. Your evidence. Your money.
After an accident, carriers use their own tools to minimize what they owe you. We read those numbers and show you what a fair recovery could look like.
Your insurer's valuation report is usually a PDF titled something like "Total Loss Valuation" or "Vehicle Valuation Report" from CCC or Mitchell. It's in your settlement packet, or you can request it from your adjuster.
Diminished value is the gap between what your car was worth before the accident and after, even once repairs are done. You can seek it from an at-fault driver's insurer as part of a liability claim. This is a recognized claim type, not a loophole. We are not your attorney and this is not legal advice.
How it works
1
Send us the paperwork
Upload your repair estimate or enter your vehicle details. The estimate is the document your valuation is built from.
2
We build the valuation
Your vehicle is priced against comparable sales and the damage recorded on the estimate, not against the insurer's worksheet.
3
You get the number
See what the documentation supports. If you want it signed, the full appraisal is prepared by an ASCAA-certified appraiser.
Why you can check this
A named appraiser signs it.
Reports are prepared and signed by Zoheb Alvi, Certified Auto Appraiser, ASCAA License #ASCAA-CERT-9659. ASCAA is an independent third-party body that we do not operate, so the licence is checkable without taking our word for anything.
ASCAA License #ASCAA-CERT-9659
You can read the whole report before you pay.
The full 51-page appraisal is published — watermarked as a specimen with the vehicle identifiers removed, and otherwise the real document. Comparable sales, the damage on record, the method and the signature page are all in it.
The free estimate is not a guarantee, an appraisal, or legal advice. It cannot predict what an insurer will ultimately pay, and it cannot account for damage absent from the documents you send. Fair Value Appraisal Co. publishes those limits rather than a confidence claim.
Questions about your settlement, the paperwork, or what this costs.
What is a total-loss appraisal?
A total-loss appraisal is an independent evaluation of your vehicle's pre-loss market value — what it was worth immediately before the accident. It is used to challenge an insurer's settlement offer when you believe their valuation underestimates what your vehicle was actually worth.
Who qualifies as an independent appraiser?
Qualifications vary by state, but most appraisal clauses require the appraiser to be competent and impartial — meaning they have relevant expertise and no financial interest in the outcome beyond a flat fee. Some states license vehicle appraisers; others rely on industry certifications.
Can I use any appraiser or does my insurer have to approve them?
Under a standard appraisal clause, you select your own appraiser without insurer approval. The insurer selects theirs. The two appraisers then work toward an agreed value, or select a neutral umpire if they cannot agree.
Is the appraisal report confidential?
The appraisal report you commission is yours. It becomes part of the claims record when submitted to your insurer but is not automatically shared with third parties. Consult your policy and, if needed, an attorney for guidance on privacy in contested claims.
What does a formal appraisal cost?
Appraisal fees vary by appraiser, market, and complexity of the vehicle. Most auto appraisers charge a flat fee for a standard appraisal report. Fees are typically not refundable if the appraisal does not result in a higher settlement — ask your appraiser upfront.
See what your paperwork supports
Send the repair estimate and get your number. No account needed to see it.
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Diminished Value & Total-Loss Appraisal | Independent