When you think of an auto damage appraiser, you probably think of the person from your insurance company who evaluates the condition and value of your vehicle after an accident. Their job is to figure out whether or not your car is totaled. If it is totaled, they will determine the value you should be compensated for. Or if there are repairs involved, how much should be covered and what type or rental car access you have available. Generally, we associate auto damage appraisers with two things. The first is being in an auto accident, which is always unpleasant and sometimes tragic. The second is getting ripped off by the insurance company. If the insurance company is handling the appraisal and valuation of your damaged care, the assumption is that they are on the insurance company’s team.
And that is a fair assumption. In fact, third party auto damage appraisers that work for insurance companies are representing the company’s best interest, period. To ensure you receive the best settlement for your accident claim, it is crucial to get a second opinion for your vehicle appraisal. If you’ve been in an accident, you can and should contact an independent auto damage appraiser to review your case and give an assessment of the damage. Nobody can bar you from making sure that the appraisal is fair and accurate. In fact, working with an auto damage appraiser may help you to get a bigger return on your auto accident claim.
If it turns out that the insurance company appraiser was being closed-fisted on behalf of the insurance company, you will be in a position of power with your insurance company that is pretty uncommon. No insurance company wants to be accused of misrepresenting their damage assessment amounts. No matter what, make sure that you’re actually getting the amount you are owed for the damage to your vehicle. You’ve paid your insurance premiums, this is when you benefit. Work with an auto damage appraiser to ensure you get the maximum return owed to you on your car accident vehicle claim.