For anyone who owns a car, especially a vintage one, car appraisals are important. The appraisal process is of utmost importance whether you've been in an accident, are selling your car and need to figure out its current market value, or are looking to get it insured or claim your insurance. But Vintage Auto Appraisal Ventura CA, is often misunderstood. Many car owners don’t believe in getting their car evaluated unless it’s been in an accident and needs to claim insurance, or they use online calculators, which are often unreliable and their results are indefensible. The truth is that auto appraisals are a detailed evaluation of your car that considers every single factor, from present condition, restoration quality, accident history, to market trends, and significance. Without a proper appraisal, car owners, including you, may unknowingly undervalue their vehicle.
In this blog, we will uncover and debunk all the myths and misconceptions about auto appraisals. Read this if you own a car, a classic, a regular, a collectible, doesn’t matter, only when you understand how professional appraisals work, you can protect your investment.
Truth - There is a widespread misconception that all appraisers work for and side with insurance companies, but you are free to choose your own independent appraiser if you are filing a claim for a total loss or a diminished loss. Because of this independent position, the appraiser you employ works exclusively for you and provides an objective, honest evaluation of your car’s value.
Truth - Your insurer can refer you to their own appraisers, but you’re not obligated to choose them, and are free to employ your own appraiser, which guarantees that your interests will always come first. By hiring your own independent appraiser, you avoid any conflicts of interest and guarantee an honest evaluation.
Truth - It’s easy to confuse an evaluation with a repair estimate, but an estimate only mentions the cost of repairs, whereas the market value shows the price of your car both pre- and post-accident. Your car may be marked as a total loss by the insurer if the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle's current market value. Knowing this is important as it enables you to make an informed decision about whether to replace, repair, sell, or file for insurance.
Truth - It might look convenient to enter a few numbers into an online calculating tool and rely on the result provided, but it’s very risky. Real-world appraisals by expert appraisers are comprehensive and specific, plus they’re backed by actual data, and they take custom features and regional market trends into consideration, unlike online databases. Relying solely on these tools could lead to undervaluing your car and receiving low insurance payouts.
Truth - Most car owners are under the belief that only the exterior is judged and mentioned in auto appraisals. An independent car appraisal evaluates so much more, including interiors, structural integrity, any mechanical problems, and electronic features. This is important since failing to identify a hidden flaw or mechanical issue can lead to unfinished repairs, put you in danger while driving, or result in lower payouts while selling or claiming insurance.
You can avoid mistakes made by most people, avoid unfair or undervalued offers, and protect your best interests by being well-informed about auto appraisals. Make sure you're not losing out on a fair car evaluation; that’s why you should always work with independent and reliable claims experts such as ADR Claims.