DIRECT APPRAISAL
The property owners full-service appraisal company specializing in market value appraisal and assessments, total loss and damage evaluations, and recovery services.
About Direct Appraisal
Direct Appraisal's mission is to provide our customers the peace-of mind that an injured vehicle has been restored, as close as possible, to pre-accident condition; appearance, function, safety and VALUE.
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We are a full service appraisal company specializing in loss of market value and diminished value appraisals.
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Our goal is to provide YOU with the education and ability to recover Diminished Value losses owed under your policy and the law after an auto accident!
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Our Reports
Our reports are certified and meet the USPAP standards developed by the Appraisal Board, authorized by the United States Congress. This is the only national standard that exists for personal property evaluation, assessment, appraisals.
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You can NOT arrive at a Market Value without looking at the Market!
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Our diminished value reports use actual market data to document market value! Make sure that any appraisal service you choose bases their value opinions on actual market data they are willing to share with you!
Top 10 Customer Questions
01
What is Loss of Value or Diminished Value?
Loss of Value or Diminished Value is the difference in the market value of a vehicle without accident history and the market value of the same vehicle with accident history. This difference is part of the total property damage claim.
02
Can I disagree with the amount
of loss?
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YES. Consumers have the right to disagree with any assessed amount of loss. Depending on the policy and state law, provisions are provided for dispute resolution.
03
What am I owed after an accident?
After a covered injury, the insurer is obligated to the policyholder to have the damaged property completely restored to pre-loss condition.
04
How do I recover all my losses?
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The key to recovering all losses owed is having an accurate assessment of what you are owed, knowing who is responsible to pay for damages and understanding the necessary steps in the recovery process.
05
Will my badly damaged vehicle ever be the same as before?
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NO. Even with the best repairs your vehicle will have a permanent condition "evidence of repairs" which causes it NOT to be the same as it was before the injury.
06
Who is responsible to pay?
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If the accident was your fault, it’s called a first party claim, and you will be dealing with your insurance company and recovery is based on your policy coverages.
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If the accident was someone else's fault, it’s called a third-party claim, and usually you will be dealing with the insurance company of the person that hit you. You are under no contractual obligation to let that insurance company inspect the damages.
07
How do I know all repairs were completed properly?
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It is important to completely visually inspect the vehicle when it is delivered, but often the average consumer cannot see all possible defects. If you are unsure we strongly suggest you get a professional opinion - any flaws or defects in repairs after an accident or "evidence of repairs" can affect your trade-in or resale value.
08
What is like kind and quality and pre-loss condition?
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These words are interpreted differently. Laws and insurance policies vary from state to state. It is generally accepted to be the common definition of the actual words or to restore the vehicle to where it was just before the accident relative to appearance, function, safety and value.
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If a injured vehicle does not meet these criteria after repaired contact someone who will be able to document the differences.
09
How will accident history affect my trade-in or the sale of my vehicle?
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Under law, anyone who intentionally or knowingly fails to disclose accident history on a vehicle when selling can held legally responsible. After disclosure, most buyers are not willing to pay the same amount for a vehicle with accident history as a vehicle without accident history.
10
Who is working for me?
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The consumer is usually pitted between the insurance company's need to minimize their losses and the repair facilities need to make a profit. Today many repair facilities and insurance companies have established relationships similar to a HMO/PPO.
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The consumer needs an unbiased third party to assure that these circumstances do not short change them in the recovery of their losses owed under their policy and the law.
