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Appraiser Blog

Car Auction Sale Lights

Standardizes sale lights for Auctions in the US – Adesa. Car Auction Sale Lights   ADESA is standardizing the sale lights and their definition at your auction –as well as all 61 U.S. locations– June 5, 2017. ADESA is transitioning to a green, yellow, red and blue lighting system, which

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Farmers Insurance Claims

Jeff Bakal jeff.bakal@farmersinsurance.com Mid-Century Insurance Company Farmers Claims Department APD Senior Field Claims Representative 3601 SW 160 Avenue Suite 300 Miramar, FL 33027 Cell 941-920-1925 Fax 866-667-5960

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Invoking Appraisal Clause | Insurance Demand Letter

This letter is to be used on the first-party clause for invoking the auto policy’s appraisal clause provisions. Today’s Date: Claim#: Date of Loss:   Mr. [adjuster name] Please accept this letter and the attached document as our payout request for the claim referenced above. The appraisal process as outlined

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Fwd: 2017 Must Test Drive Awards

      Autotrader’s 2017 Must Test Drive Awards     With more than 300 models available across several segments, how are car shoppers to know which new or redesigned vehicles are worth their consideration in the shopping process?        To help narrow down the list, the expert

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Goldfein Claims Management Loses at Trial

Gwinnett County, GA. 05/03/2017 Goldfein claims management filed an appeal with the Gwinnett county superior court after their DV case was lost at the magistrate court level. The superior court granted the defense’s motion for a summary judgment yesterday after hearing preliminary arguments in the case. The suit was for

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N.C. General Statute 20-279.21(d1) / Appraisal & Diminished Value

North Carolina General Statute 20-279.21(d1) (d1) Such motor vehicle liability policy shall provide an alternative method of determining the amount of property damage to a motor vehicle when liability for coverage for the claim is not in dispute. For a claim for property damage to a motor vehicle against an

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Fiat cuts prices on 2017 Vehicles

Fiat will reduce their prices for 2017, with base prices for some models down more than 20 percent from 2016. Fiat 500 2016 trim            base Price                           2017 trim            base price Pop                        $16,995                                 Pop                        $14,995 Easy                       $17,745                                 Lounge                 $18,395 Sport                     $17,900                                 Abarth                  $19,995 Turbo                    $19,700 Lounge                 $20,395 Abarth                  $22,575  

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Quarterly Statistical Analysis of the Fixed Ops World

For many people that worked as fixed operations workers at franchised new-vehicle dealerships, 2015 consisted of less pay and shorter hours. The National Automobile Dealers Association created a 2016 dealership workforce study, that offers insight into service department employees’ compensation, job tenure, as well as work schedules. The following data

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Nissan Rising in Ranks of Customer Care

From 2011, Nissan has risen from 19th to 5th place in the Customer Service Index of big-name brands — what makes such a large increase possible? Dealerships can’t always resolve the issues brought to their service departments. However, at Nissan and Infiniti, factory specialists step in and take the wheel.

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Mercedes and BMW Dealers Need More Crossover Vehicles

German brands observe lower car sales volume   As Mercedes and BMW release new midsize cars, they both share a similar problem. During the auto show here last week, Mercedes showed its E-class coupe, while BMW displayed its 5-series sedan. According to executives, both companies want to display more crossovers

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Georgia Total Loss / Salvage Rebuilt Process

Was your car declared a total loss? Do you want to retain it as a salvage and then rebuild it? This article describes the process in Georgia. Since you are retaining your salvage vehicle, you must understand that for your vehicle to be legal on Georgia roads it must: Have

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State Farm Unfair Claim Handling Practices, 2017 Update

PSA: Atlanta, GA 03/23/2017 State Farm as of late has been extremely difficult in working with on Diminished Value claims. It’s been brought to our attention that State Farm adjusters and claims handlers have been told to hold the line and decline or reject most of the DV claims submitted

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Fulton County – Sales Tax Rate Increase

Sales Tax Rate Increases to 7.75 Percent on April 1   On April 1, 2017, the sales tax rate in Fulton County outside the City of Atlanta will increase from 7 percent to 7.75 percent, when the collection of Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) begins.   On

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Claim Handling Quick Guide

Quick claim handling guidelines and information about our appraisal services. All Claims: The appraisal report is the evidence you need to support your claim Insurance adjusters need documentation before issuing payment Third party carriers are your adversaries and not your friend, their job is to minimize payouts and look after

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Best and Worst Insurance carriers for Diminished Value Claims

Updated on 02/23/2018 Best Insurance Carriers Press Release 2013 Worst Insurance Carriers Press Release 2014 Annual List of the Best and Worst Diminished Value Insurance Companies (2015) After processing thousands of claims every year and receiving feedback on many of them, Diminished Value of Georgia, Atlanta’s #1 independent auto Appraisal Company

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Used Pickup Trucks to Avoid

  Used Pickup Trucks to Avoid Chevrolet GMC Silverado Colorado Avalanche Sierra Canyon Year 2000 Problem Car Problem Car 2001 Problem Car Problem Car 2002 Problem Car Engine Problem Car 2003 Problem Car Engine Problem Car 2004 Problem Car Engine Engine Problem Car Engine 2005 Problem Car Engine Engine Problem

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Diminished Value and Taxes, IRS form 4684

As tax season approaches and with all the advertising about tax savings one wonders about all the tax forms and deductions available for ordinary citizens. Today, we’re looking at IRS form 4684, casualties and thefts. IRS Tax Form 4684 (pdf) IRS Tax Form 4684 Instructions The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

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Atlanta’s #1 Car Appraisers

The Free Estimate Game:

Would you rather collect 80% of an accurate appraisal or 20% of an inflated one?

Many clients believe that if another appraiser gives them a higher initial estimate, the settlement amount will be equally high. WRONG!

Insurance companies know who the legitimate appraisers are, so don't get caught up in the estimate game. Hire an appraiser based on their credentials and reputation.

Seven things to look for when choosing an appraisal company