Claim guides
Long-form guides from Fair Value Appraisal Co. on diminished value, total-loss offers and the paperwork behind them.
Should I Get an Independent Appraisal for My Totaled Car? An Honest Answer
Should you get an independent appraisal for your totaled car? See when it is worth the fee, when it is not, and what to check yourself before you pay anyone.
Read the guide · Updated October 13, 2026
How Much Does an Independent Auto Appraisal Cost? What You Are Paying For
How much does an independent auto appraisal cost? How appraisers price their work, what drives the fee up, and the fee structures to be careful with.
Read the guide · Updated October 13, 2026
What Should an Independent Car Appraisal Report Include?
What should an independent car appraisal report include? A section-by-section checklist so you can tell a solid total-loss appraisal from a thin one.
Read the guide · Updated October 13, 2026