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If your vehicle was damaged during the recent historic rainfall and floods in and around Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, South Florida, it is highly likely your car will be declared a total loss by your insurance company. Be aware of the 'Appraisal Clause' in your policy, and/or do an internet search. Do not accept your insurance company's first offer. Invoke your 'Appraisal Clause.' Big $$$ at stake!

With just 200 miles on the odometer, this 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat was stolen out of the owner’s driveway at 2:30 AM, never to be seen again! Fortunately, he had comprehensive insurance with the “Good Hands” folk! Unfortunately, they wanted to reimburse him just $83,036 for his loss! Luckily, he was familiar with, and decided to invoke, the ‘Appraisal Clause’ in his policy and hired Auto Appraisal Network of South Florida to provide a prior-to-loss fair market value appraisal.

You have just been in an automobile accident and now you are wondering if your vehicle is repairable or if it’s totaled. Your body shop manager says that they are certain they can repair it, but the insurance company says they want to total it! What to do? Who do you believe? What are your options?

The two secrets the auto insurance industry doesn't want you to know are "Appraisal Clause" and "Diminished Value." Almost every auto insurance policy has an Appraisal Clause, giving the policyholder, in the event their vehicle is declared a total loss, the right to an independent appraisal of the prior-to-loss fair market value. Diminished Value is the sudden loss of value because of an accident. If you were not at-fault in the accident, you can make a Diminished Value claim against the at-fault driver's insurance company. Call/text 786-853-0711 with any questions.

Whether it's life, travel or automobile, insurance is the one item we purchase which we hope we never use. But, **** happens! Recently we handled total loss claims on a '90s Land Rover Defender and a 2021 Honda Civic Type R, both with over $10k in recent options and upgrades of which the owners never advised their insurance companies. We were able to settle for more $$$ than the insurance company initially offered, but the >$10k in upgrades was not covered! Yes, they saved a few $$ on the insurance premium, but lost thousands in the settlement. Don't be penny wise and dollar foolish! If you have invested in upgrades on your vehicle, advise your insurance company in writing!

If your Porsche has been in an accident, whether it has been declared a total loss, or is repairable, by having a Prior-to-total loss Fair Market Value, or a Diminished Value appraisal, you will almost certainly have a higher cash settlement than the insurance company is initially willing to pay. Applies to all vehicles, not just Porsches!

As seen in a South Florida wrecker's yard, along with many other total loss vehicles. But did it pass or fail? Hmm... If your vehicle was involved in an accident and declared a total loss, do not accept the insurance company's initial offer! Invoke your right to the Appraisal Clause in you policy and get an independent appraisal of its prior-to-loss fair market value. Call/text 786-853-0711

Google: 'appraisal clause auto insurance', and you'll realize that most of the owners of these 'Total Loss' vehicles in this compound never knew the appraisal clause existed in their policy. Based on our own results over the past 12 months, invoking the 'Appraisal Clause' resulted in policy holders receiving an average of 17% or $3,970 more that the insurance company initially offered to settle! Protect your investment! Get it appraised! Call/text: 786-853-0711

Two weeks after purchasing this Polaris Slingshot, 3-wheel motorcycle for $25,000, it was wrecked and declared a Total Loss. The insurance company wanted to settle for $14,735. The Appraisal Clause was invoked (we all have one in our policies), and after going through the appraisal and Umpire process, the insurance company settled for $24, 682. That's a $9,947 increase and 2,484% return on investment. Is your insurance company delaying, denying or underpaying? Call/text 786-853-0711

Because of its relative vulnerability and fragility, a motorcycle that has been in an accident has a high probability that it will be 'totaled', or declared a total loss, rather than being repaired. Be aware of the 'Appraisal Clause' in your policy, and do not accept the insurance company's below fair market value settlement offer. Protect your investment! Get it appraised! Call/text 786-853-0711 for information.