Total Loss Claim Review

When an insurance company declares your vehicle a total loss, they generate a valuation report using third-party software such as CCC One, Mitchell, or Audatex. These systems produce an Actual Cash Value (ACV) figure that determines your settlement — but the methodology is frequently flawed, and the errors almost always favor the insurer.

Before you accept the offer and sign a release, you need an independent set of eyes on that report. Our Total Loss Claim Review is a no-cost evaluation that tells you plainly whether the carrier's number is defensible — or whether you're leaving money on the table.

What Is a Total Loss Claim Review?

A Total Loss Claim Review is not a formal appraisal. It is a professional evaluation of the insurance carrier's valuation report — the document they used to arrive at your settlement offer. One of our licensed appraisers reviews the report and compares it against real market data to determine whether the methodology, comparables, and adjustments are reasonable.

You'll receive a clear, direct answer: the offer appears fair, or it doesn't — and if it doesn't, we'll explain exactly why and what the gap looks like.

There is no cost for this review. You only pay if you decide to move forward with a full desk appraisal.

Why Insurance Company Valuations Are Often Wrong

Carrier valuation software is designed for efficiency, not accuracy. The most common errors we identify in CCC, Mitchell, and Audatex reports include:

• Incorrect comparables — vehicles pulled from distant markets, or lower trim levels used as matches for a better-equipped car
• Improper condition ratings — carriers routinely underrate pre-loss condition, which directly reduces the ACV calculation
• Missing option adjustments — factory packages, upgraded audio, towing packages, and other options are frequently ignored or undervalued
• Mileage adjustment errors — incorrect per-mile adjustments that skew the comparable vehicle values
• Out-of-market data — using comparable sales from states with lower demand or different market conditions
• Failure to account for recent maintenance or upgrades — new tires, a recent timing belt replacement, or documented service history can all support a higher value

A single overlooked option package or misclassified condition rating can reduce your settlement by $1,500 to $5,000 or more. The claim review identifies these issues before you commit to anything.

What You'll Receive — At No Cost

• A professional evaluation of the insurer's total loss valuation report
• An independent estimate of your vehicle's fair market value based on current comparable sales
• Identification of specific errors, omissions, or methodology problems in the carrier's report
• A clear comparison between the insurer's offer and the defensible market value
• Honest guidance on whether a full desk appraisal ($275) is likely to result in a meaningful increase to your settlement

If the carrier's offer looks accurate, we'll tell you. We have no interest in recommending a paid appraisal when one isn't warranted.

How the Process Works

1. Submit the form below — upload the insurance company's valuation report. You can also include photos of the vehicle, maintenance records, or invoices for recent repairs or upgrades. The more documentation you provide, the more thorough the review.
2. One of our appraisers reviews the report — we analyze the comparable vehicles selected, the condition rating applied, mileage adjustments, option recognition, and the methodology used to arrive at the ACV figure. We cross-reference this against current market data for your vehicle's year, make, model, trim, and region.
3. You receive our findings — typically within the same business day. We'll give you a plain-language summary of what we found and what it means for your claim.
4. You decide what to do next — if the offer is low and a full appraisal is warranted, you can order a desk appraisal for $275. If the offer is reasonable, you have that confirmation in writing before you sign.

Not sure what your insurer's report looks like? View a sample CCC One total loss valuation report (PDF) — the type of document your insurance company sends to support their settlement offer.

What Documents to Submit

To complete a thorough review, please upload:

• Required: The insurance company's total loss valuation report — Sample A (Mitchell/JD Power) | Sample B (CCC One)
• Optional: Photos of the vehicle showing pre-loss condition
• Optional: Maintenance records, service invoices, or receipts for recent repairs or upgrades
• Optional: Any prior appraisals or documentation of factory options and packages

If you only have a paper copy, fax it to (678) 868-1832 or email it to autos@appraisalengine.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the claim review really free?
Yes. The Total Loss Claim Review is $0. You only pay if you decide to order a full desk appraisal ($275), which includes the USPAP-compliant valuation report, comparable vehicle analysis, and demand letter.

How is this different from a full appraisal?
The claim review is an informational evaluation — it tells you whether the carrier's offer is likely undervalued and whether a formal appraisal makes financial sense. The desk appraisal is a USPAP-compliant formal report that can be submitted to the insurance company as documented proof of loss and used to formally invoke the appraisal clause in your policy.

How quickly will I hear back?
Most claim reviews are completed the same business day the documents are received.

What if I don't have the insurer's valuation report?
Call or text us at (678) 404-0455 and we can walk you through how to request it from your adjuster. Insurers are required to provide it.

What vehicles qualify?
Any vehicle declared a total loss by an insurance company — cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, or commercial vehicles. The vehicle must be 10 years old or newer to qualify for most total loss valuation disputes.

Once a settlement release is signed, your options are typically gone. If you have any doubt about the fairness of the offer, submit the review before you sign — not after.