After a car accident, the insurance company sends you a number — a repair estimate or a total loss offer. But how do you know if it's fair?

An independent valuation report is a documented assessment of your vehicle's value — one not controlled by the insurance company. Whether you're dealing with diminished value after repairs or a total loss where the offer feels too low, a valuation report gives you a documented number to work with.

When Do You Need One?

• Your car was repaired and you want to know how much value it lost. Accident history shows up on Carfax and AutoCheck. Buyers pay less for cars with that history. A diminished value report puts a documented number on it, which you can present to the at-fault driver's insurer.
• Your car was totaled and the offer seems too low. Insurer valuation tools can pull comparables that don't match your vehicle's condition, options or local market. A total loss valuation report documents what your car was worth before the accident.
• You're disputing the insurer's valuation. Whether you present your claim directly or through your policy's appraisal process, a report gives you documentation the insurer can check.

How Does It Work?

• Reviews your vehicle's details — year, make, model, trim, mileage, options, and pre-accident condition.
• Analyzes damage and repair history — accident reports, repair invoices, and photos to understand scope and severity.
• Researches comparable vehicles in your local market — real vehicles with similar specs for sale or recently sold in your area (for total loss), or comparable sales of repaired and unrepaired cars (for diminished value).
• Produces a professional report — detailed methodology, comparable data and conclusions, laid out so an adjuster can check each step.

Why Is an Independent Valuation Important?

The insurer's valuation is prepared by or for the insurer. An independent valuation gives you a second, documented view:

• Evidence when you present your claim. A feeling that the number is low is easy to set aside. A documented report backed by local market data gives the adjuster something specific to answer.
• Documentation if the dispute continues. If you go on to your policy's appraisal process, mediation or court, you'll already have a written valuation.

What Makes a Good Valuation Report?

• Market-based methodology. Grounded in real comparable sales — not generic formulas or percentage shortcuts.
• Local comparables. Data from your regional market, where you'd actually buy or sell the car.
• A method you can check. The report should show its comparables, adjustments and math, so you and the insurer can follow how the number was reached.

How Claimoe Prepares Valuations

We prepare independent reports for both diminished value and total loss. You submit your claim details, we analyze your vehicle and research comparable vehicles in your local market, then produce the report, which you present to the insurer. On a total loss, where your policy allows it, you can name us as your representative under the appraisal provision of your policy.

We serve vehicle owners in New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Alaska, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Washington and Wyoming (see our state guides). The claim review is free, and our fee is a flat $199 for diminished value or total loss, never a percentage of your recovery, never tied to the outcome, and only charged if we accept your case.

The Bottom Line

An insurance company's valuation is their opening position, not the final word. Whether your car was repaired or totaled, you can question that number with real evidence.

An independent valuation replaces uncertainty with documentation. If you think the insurer's number doesn't reflect your car's actual worth, a free review is a low-cost way to find out.