Common Car Insurance Scams -- And How You Can Avoid Them

Stolen car, now what? If your vehicle is stolen, you should call the police immediately and then notify your insurer, your lender and your state’s DMV. Almost 900,000 vehicles were reported stolen across the U.S. last year according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), an insurance industry association. Lots of questions! What happens when your car is stolen then found? Who will pay for the damages that happened when the car was not in your custody?

If you are looking for a car appraisal near you, and you are in South East Florida, you've found us! Getting a car appraisal before you buy, sell, or trade a car helps you get a good idea of the vehicle’s value and puts you in a better-informed position to negotiate. Several factors can affect a car’s value, such as your location and what kind of buyer you’re selling to (if you’re selling). Where you go to get your car appraisal could also affect the estimate you receive. Online guides, lenders, car dealers and professional appraisers can all offer car appraisals.

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.

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!

Has your vehicle been declared a total loss because of a fire? If your insurance company wants to settle for less than what you believe it's worth, invoke the Appraisal Clause in your policy, and get it appraised! Call/text 786-853-0711

If your Jaguar has been in an auto accident, there are two possible outcomes: declared a Total Loss, or repaired and back on the road. Either way, you should be aware of the auto insurance industry's two biggest kept secrets: Appraisal Clause and Diminished Value. Do an internet search of both terms, and learn how you can receive a greater settlement than the insurance company is willing to pay. Call/text: 786-853-0711

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 'diminished value car' and there's lots to learn! Here's one explanation: 'After an accident, your car’s market value will decrease even if it goes through all of the necessary procedures to restore it back to its prior condition. Diminished value is the difference in your car’s market value before and after an accident. Even if you try to resell your vehicle, the history will show that it has been involved in an accident, which will bring its value down. A diminished value claim can help recover the costs to bring your vehicle back to the market price before an accident.' Need a Diminished Value Auto Appraisal? We can help!

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