BLACK TICKER / DOSSIER 05 / FREE FIELD GUIDE
The Auto Claim Check: 5 Inputs to Audit Before Accepting a Total-Loss Offer
A three-page checklist for requesting the report, checking comparable vehicles and preserving a focused review record.
Read the complete checklist below. The original PDF has 3 pages.
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01 / Get the complete valuation
A settlement offer is a result, not the calculation. Ask for the complete total-loss report and preserve the original file before accepting a release. Identify the insurer, claim number, loss date and the policy or third-party route.
- Save VIN, mileage, trim, factory options and dated vehicle photos.
- Request every comparable vehicle and each adjustment, including condition and advertised-price reductions.
- Separate vehicle value from taxes, fees, deductible and salvage retention.
- Record response and filing deadlines; a document request may not extend them.
| Keep | Check |
|---|---|
| Original report and offer | Date, version, claim number |
| Vehicle specification | Trim, mileage, equipment |
| Comparable listings | Location, date, availability |
Washington WAC 284-30-392: current condition-evidence requirements · TexasDOI practical auto-claim guide: negotiation and appraisal costs
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02 / Audit five vulnerable inputs
Five checks can reveal a specific error. They do not establish that a software vendor or insurer systematically underpaid your claim. Use comparable evidence and keep asking prices separate from completed sales.
| Input | Evidence to request |
|---|---|
| Trim and options | VIN/build record, window sticker or reliable specification |
| Mileage | Odometer photo and report mileage |
| Condition | Inspection notes, photos and deduction method |
| Comparables | Vehicle detail, location and listing date |
| Price adjustment | Amount, rationale and supporting data |
Please provide the full valuation report and support for the deductions identified below. The report lists [assumption]; attached [evidence] shows [correction]. Please review and explain the effect on the settlement in writing.
Court-authorized Volino settlement notice: Mitchell adjustment and class scope · Washington WAC 284-30-392: current condition-evidence requirements
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03 / Choose the next route
Appraisal rights, deadlines, costs and complaint routes depend on your state, policy and whether you claim against your own insurer. Washington and Texas examples are specific to those jurisdictions; do not assume a nationwide right.
- Compare the actual amount in dispute with likely appraiser, umpire, storage and delay costs.
- Read the policy appraisal clause and applicable notices before invoking it.
- Ask your state insurance department about the correct complaint process.
- For repairs, ask the shop and insurer to explain any safety-related procedure dispute.
- Keep a dated log of each request, response and unresolved item.
Washington WAC 284-30-392: current condition-evidence requirements · Texas SB 458 and InsuranceCodeChapter 1813: appraisal provisions · TexasDOI practical auto-claim guide: negotiation and appraisal costs