CALL FOR A FREE TOTAL LOSS APRAISAL CLAUSE CLAIM REVIEW 503-420-3001

CLICK TO CALL - FOR A FREE TOTAL LOSS CLAIM REVIEW 503-420-3001

LEVERAGE

AUTO APPRAISER

Auto Appraiser

We Specialize in Automotive Insurance Total Loss Appraisals and Negotiation.

Is your insurance company Offering an unfair offer that is less than what your totaled vehicle is worth?

We can help! You need a professional on your side that doesn’t work for the insurance companies. You deserve a fair settlement and hiring a Total Loss Auto Appraiser who specializes in Oregon total loss claims is your first step to receiving a Fair Total Loss Settlement.

We Don’t take a percentage and Oregon law guarantees you 100% Reimbursement for the appraisal if we increase the value over their last offer by just 1 cent.

Oregon Certified Vehicle Appraiser #V34-075 • We provide car appraisals for Totaled vehicle Insurance claims, Total Loss Appraisal Clause Disputes, Total Loss Appraisals and negotiation for stolen totaled Trucks and Cars, and other totaled vehicle appraisals.

Recently, many CCC ONE, Mitchell and JD Powers valuations have been coming in as little as 30 percent of the true market value for many Diesel Trucks with the 7.3, Duramax or Cummins engines. That’s what the appraisal clause in your policy is for. It allows you to dispute their lowball valuations.

Call us now for a free Claim Review: 503.420.3001

What is an Appraisal Clause?

An appraisal clause is a contractual process in your auto insurance policy used to settle disputes between insurers and their policyholders when the parties fail to agree on the amount that will be covered by the policy.

If your insurer refuses to provide a fair settlement amount on your vehicle’s loss, you have the option to resolve the issue by going through your insurance policy’s appraisal clause. This prevents insurance companies from taking advantage of you.

If you do not agree on the amount of the loss, you may demand (invoke) an appraisal. In this scenario, each party will choose an independent auto appraiser. In many cases, even their auto appraiser will be higher than the last offer your insurance company made to you. The appraisers will negotiate the value and come to an agreement, or have an umpire make a decision between the two appraisals. I’ve been doing this for over 13 years, and have only had 5 times where we had to go to an Umpire. .

The key to a successful appraisal clause dispute is finding an expert who has the necessary vehicle knowledge and negotiation skills to handle the various aspects of the process. This includes choosing an umpire and negotiating with the other parties involved. Our Oregon Licensed Auto Appraiser, Ken Nix, has been negotiating Oregon Total Loss disputes for over 13 years in Oregon. He’s local, only works for consumers, and isn’t indebted to the insurance companies like many appraisers who rely on them for income.

A few recent Settlements:

Springfield, Oregon. – Increase: $17,757 – 52% increase – State Farm – Michael L. – 2015 Lance Toy Hauler
Portland, Oregon – Increase: $4,396 – 70% Increase – Progressive – M. Connly, Portland, OR. 2001 Toyota Sequoia SR5
Elmira, Oregon – Increase: $2,324.00 – 17% Increase – Progressive – Nick A. 1999 Ford F-350
St. Helens, Oregon – Increase: $2,360.00 – 28% increase – Travelers – 2011 Toyota RAV4
Goldendale, Washington – Increase: $2,399.71 – 6% increase – State Farm – T. Casey 2016 RAM 2500 Laramie Longhorn
Estacada, Oregon – Increase: $5,177.02 – 118% Increase – Progressive – T. Harrington 2002 Subaru WRX
Hillsboro, Oregon – Increase: $6,590.00 – 34% Increase – USAA – R. McCarthy – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel
Portland, Oregon – Increase: $10,426.00 – 329% Increase – State Farm – R. Estrada – 1990 Harley Davideson FLHS Electic Glide
Hillsboro, Oregon – Increase: $6,590.00 – 34% Increase – USAA – R. McCarthy – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Diesel

Watch our Videos to better understand the Appraisal Clause Process

CALL NOW - FOR A FREE TOTAL LOSS CLAIM REVIEW 503-420-3001

What Clients Are Saying About Leverage Auto Appraisals

Excellent

Leverage Auto Appraisals |Total Loss Appraiser

Based on 158 reviews

Jordan Schreiber, L.Ac.

I had just bought a beautiful 2015 BMW X5 35d a month prior to hitting a deer and having Progressive call it a total loss. I knew the offer from Progressive was not going to allow me to replace the l X5 that I was just getting to know when, after some searching online, found Ken. I filled out the form on his website and heard back from him the next day saying he'd take my case on and that he could help. The entire process took about a month total, from hiring Ken to finally getting my payout. At times, it took a few days for Ken to get back to me and time for insurance to respond. It was stressful, but made much easier by Ken's re-assuring and calm easy going demeanor. As soon as Progressive, got Ken's letter of arbitration, they offered me over $4000 more, the next morning! Partly this was because Progressive was trying to get out of arbitration and didn't want to reimburse Ken's fee to me, but they eventually did. While it didn't happen overnight, it was the holidays, Ken made the whole process much easier and I would hire him again if I ever needed to and have recommended him already. I think it was about $4300 total more that Ken helped negotiate! Thank you Ken

Response from the owner:I really appreciate you sharing this, thank you. And yes, that was a sharp BMW, definitely a tough one to see go so soon after you picked it up. Unfortunately, that is when a lot of people first realize how far off insurance valuations can be. You did exactly the right thing by questioning the offer and reaching out. As a licensed auto appraiser here in Oregon, I see it all the time where vehicles like yours are undervalued through automated reports. I am glad we were able to step in, invoke the appraisal clause, and ultimately help you secure about $4300 more on your total loss settlement. That is money that makes a real difference when trying to replace a vehicle like that. I know the process can feel stressful at times, especially with a little waiting involved, but I am glad I was able to help make it more manageable along the way. Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and for recommending me to others. That means everything. Kind regards, Ken

Dominique Demouchet

I went through a pretty traumatic accident and total loss of my 2 week old car. While insurance was extremely difficult, Ken helped make the process as smooth as possible and was able to get over $2k more than i would have gotten otherwise, plus the refund of my appraisal fee since he increased the value. I can’t recommend him enough to get through these situations.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing this, and I am truly sorry you had to go through such a traumatic accident, especially with a car that was only two weeks old. That is a tough situation on so many levels, and I am really glad I could help take some of that weight off your shoulders during the process. Insurance claims can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you are already dealing with the stress of a total loss. I am happy we were able to push back through the appraisal clause process and secure that additional $2000 plus for you. Getting the appraisal fee reimbursed as well is exactly how it should work here in Oregon, and I am glad everything came together in your favor. I truly appreciate your trust and your recommendation. It means a lot to me to be able to help people navigate these situations and come out with a fair result. Kind regards, Ken

Araceli Carranza

My car was hit while parked on the street outside my house and it became a total loss! Ken help me out and appraised my highlander higher than what my insurance appraised it at. My settlement was 2,340.66 more than what my insurance originally offered me. Im so thankful that i found Ken and did not go with the low offer that my insurance appraised my car at. I would totally recommend Ken to anyone! He’s definitely a pro at what he does and i will definitely use him again if ever needed! Thanks Ken!
Insurance Offer: $11,659.34
Settlement: $14,000.00
Increase: $2,340.66

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the awesome review, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Getting hit while parked is frustrating enough, and after seeing the photos you provided, that was some serious rear damage. Definitely not something anyone expects when their car is just sitting outside their home. I am really glad we were able to step in and help turn things around for you. That increase from $11,659.34 to $14,000 is exactly why it is so important to question those initial insurance valuations. Too often they come in low, and without pushing back, people end up leaving money on the table. We were able to use the appraisal clause process here in Oregon to get you closer to the true market value of your Highlander. Thank you again for your trust and the recommendation. It means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

Suraj Gaurav

I would highly recommend Ken, he greatly exceeded my expectations. And made the process very smooth to deal with the insurance company. He is a rock star!

My Porsche Taycan had an accident and got totalled. State Farm offered a payout amount and Ken was able to raise it by $7000. The appreciation would not have been possible without him. I would recommend him in a heartbeat!! He’s easy to work with, very communicative, professional and the best at his game!!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the awesome review, I really appreciate it. And I have to say… that Taycan was absolutely gorgeous. I have a red Maserati GranTurismo Sport myself, so I have a soft spot for beautiful cars, especially when they stand out like yours did. Seriously, stunning vehicle. I am really glad I could help make the process smooth for you and get things moving in the right direction with State Farm. A $7000 increase on a total loss claim is exactly why it is so important to challenge those initial valuations. Vehicles like yours are often undervalued, and I am happy we were able to push back and get you closer to the true market value through the appraisal clause process here in Oregon. I truly appreciate your trust, your kind words, and the recommendation. I hope you end up in another red Taycan because that would be a perfect replacement. If you ever need anything in the future, I am always here to help. Kind regards, Ken

Wilson Munoz

Ken Nix from Leverage Auto Appraisas is the man!!! He was able to negotiate a fair price for my totaled Toyota Tundra, he made a terrifying and stressful process look easy by doing the work with my insurance.
Ken made sure insurance don’t keep your money, highly recommend using Ken for your appraisal needs, he will deliver.
Insurance Offer: $16,296.00
Settlement: $20,600.00
Increase: $4,304.00

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the awesome review, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. And thank you for posting the photos of your truck, that Tundra was a very nice truck. Always makes it a little tougher when you see how clean and well kept a vehicle was before a total loss. I am really glad I could help make a stressful situation a lot easier for you. Going from $16,296 to $20,600 is a strong result, and exactly why it is so important to challenge those initial insurance offers. Too often they come in low, and without pushing back, people end up settling for less than what their vehicle is actually worth. I truly appreciate your trust and the recommendation. It means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

Constance Corrick

I meant to do this a couple months ago, but if you ever are looking to invoke the appraisal clause with your insurance definitely get ahold of Ken!! He got me close to $4K more than what insurance was wanting me to accept. I will say be patient (I was not good at this), communication can be sparse, but he is very busy and has reasons. Thank you Ken!!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and write this review, I really appreciate it. It was truly awesome working with you, even if the patience part was a little tough at times. Totally understandable, these total loss situations can be stressful and nobody likes waiting when they are dealing with an insurance claim. I am really glad we were able to help you through the appraisal clause process and secure nearly $4,000 more than the original offer. That is exactly why having an independent auto appraiser in Oregon can make such a big difference when dealing with a total loss valuation dispute. Insurance companies do not always reflect the true market value, and I am happy we were able to challenge that and get you a better outcome. Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and your kind words. It really means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

Jacob Riopelle (Jake Riopelle)

I was working with State Farm insurance, and received an appraisal from CCC for $13,400 for my 2013 Sienna. The car only had 1 only owner before me and was declared a total loss. I gave Ken a call and he let me know that they were way under evaluating my vehicle like I suspected. He worked with my insurance and in about a week he had gotten me from that $13,400.00 up to $19,600.00. Absolutely worth every penny Ken was fantastic to work with. Definitely recommend his services to anyone who has a totaled vehicle. Per Oregon law if the appraisal that you get from Ken or any other appraisal company is a penny over what the insurance company’s first appraisal of your vehicle your insurance company is liable to pay Ken’s fee. So overall, you’re basically getting a fantastic free service and more value for your vehicle. I hope I don’t ever total another vehicle but if I do, I’m calling Ken.

Response from the owner:Jake, thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review, I truly appreciate it. It was an absolute pleasure working with you, and I am really glad you trusted your instincts when that $13,400 valuation just didn’t sit right. Getting your settlement up to $19,600 and securing that $6,200 increase is exactly why I do what I do. I am very passionate about helping people get what they truly deserve, not some lowball number that gets pushed on them in hopes they will just accept it and move on. The reality is, these insurance valuations are often riddled with problems. The comps are not inspected, have no photos, erased from the internet, and there is little to no transparency on condition assuming their comps are in excellent condition when in fact the majority they use are in worse. This is 2026, not 1994, there is no reason they can't provide photos of their comps. I regularly find vehicles with prior frame or structural damage, poor repairs, and even branded titles being used as comparables. It is honestly unacceptable. What frustrates me the most is how many people just take that first offer. There are hundreds of thousands of people every year across this country who accept less than what their vehicle is worth simply because they do not know they have options. Some of the increases I have seen are life changing. Last year alone, I had a claim increase by around $50,000. That should not even be possible if the system was working correctly, but it happens more often than people realize. I really do believe we should expect better from both insurance companies and the systems in place that are supposed to oversee them. Until that changes, I will keep doing everything I can to stand up for people and make sure they are treated fairly. Thank you again for your trust, your patience, and your recommendation. Hopefully you never need me again, but if you do, I have got your back. Kind regards, Ken

Andrew Bertz

Having to go all the way to getting an appraisal was not something I wanted to do. But when my Insurance company low balled me and would not budge, I reach out to Ken.
He was great to work with and helped explain the process.
I was able to get over 10% more for my total loss claim thanks to Ken's work.

Response from the owner:Andrew, thank you for taking the time to write this, I really appreciate it. I know going through the appraisal clause process is not something anyone plans on, but unfortunately it becomes necessary when the insurance company just will not budge on a low offer. I am glad I could help walk you through the process and make it a little easier to navigate. That is exactly why I am here, to help Oregon drivers deal with these total loss situations and make sure they are not stuck accepting less than what their vehicle is actually worth. Getting over a 10 percent increase is a solid result and a great example of why it is important to challenge those initial valuations. Thank you again for your trust and for working with me. I truly appreciate it and I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

Walt Jg

After my daughter was in an accident in our Mini Countryman, the insurance company low-balled the total-loss payout for our fully insured vehicle. Unfortunately, this seems to be standard practice. We were forced to hire an appraiser to exercise the legally mandated appraisal clause in our policy to recover the disputed value amount. I was fortunate enough to connect with Ken at Leverage Auto Appraisals. Ken has been doing this a long time--he knows where all the bones are buried (as they say), his process is refined, he's personable, friendly and he devotes a lot of attention to his cases. Ken increased the payout I received from the insurance substantially, as expected. It would seem that Ken's purpose in this life is to hold these crooked insurance companies accountable. Kudos Ken. Thank you!!!

Response from the owner:Walt, thank you so much for taking the time to write such an incredible review, I truly appreciate it. And thank you for including the photos, that was a really severe front end collision. Seeing that kind of damage really puts things into perspective, and I am just glad your daughter is okay. Vehicles can be replaced, people cannot. I am really glad we were able to step in and help you through that situation. Unfortunately, what you experienced with the insurance company is all too common. These total loss valuations are often low right out of the gate, and most people do not realize they have the right to challenge them through the appraisal clause. That is where I come in, making sure people are not stuck accepting less than what their vehicle is truly worth. And yeah… I guess you could say I do know where a few of the bones are buried. Ha ha. I have been doing this a long time, and over the years I have built a strong network of dealers and industry contacts. A lot of those relationships go back to when I worked with Reynolds and Reynolds and during my time helping run a large automotive forum network for about 10 years. Even now, I will call a dealer about a comparable and hear someone in the background say, “Is that Ken Nix?” after not talking for 10 or 15 years. It is pretty cool, and those relationships really help when it comes to getting accurate real world market data and holding these valuations accountable. I am grateful you trusted me with your claim, and I am really glad we were able to get you a substantially better outcome. Thank you again for the kind words, they truly mean a lot. Kind regards, Ken

Jessica Kittell

I cannot say enough good things about leverage auto appraisals. First off Ken is very kind and knowledgeable. We had never been in an accident before and he explained the process and what to expect. State farm gave us a total loss on our Dodge grand caravan and tried to offer us $12,233 after Kens hard work he got us back $17,950. He's fast and efficient. Our whole process took a total of 3 days. If you need an appraisal done I would highly recommend leverage auto appraisals.

Response from the owner:Jessica, thank you so much for the amazing review, I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It was honestly awesome working with you, and I am really glad I could help guide you through everything, especially since this was your first time dealing with a total loss situation. That jump from $12,233 to $17,950, a $5,700 increase, is a fantastic result. And on a van, that is saying a lot. Most of the time we see increases in that $3,000 to $4,000 range on vans, so getting close to $6,000 definitely made me feel like I had my Wheaties that morning. I am just glad I was able to help you get what your vehicle was actually worth. State Farm does tend to rely on CCC valuations, which in my experience are often on the low side. That said, I will give credit where it is due, State Farm is generally a solid insurance company, and many of the appraisers they hire tend to be more ethical than some others out there. That definitely helps when it comes to reaching a fair resolution. Thank you again for your trust and for recommending Leverage Auto Appraisals. It truly means a lot, and I am always here if you ever need help again. Kind regards, Ken

WHY CALL THE BUSINESS LEVERAGE AUTO APPRAISALS?

Our name sorta pays homage to a TV series that ran from 2008 to 2012. It was about a group of unsavory characters that banded together to form a team to help the underdogs. Their tagline was “The rich and powerful take what they want, we steal it back for you. Of course, we don’t steal anything. We do negotiate for average people against companies that are worth up to 700 BIllion Dollars. We feel the little guy should be represented by a well rounded appraiser. The show was actually filmed here in Portland, Oregon. Although, for the first 4 seasons, it was fictionally based in Boston. The “crew” was composed of a Mastermind, Hacker, Thief, Grifter, and Hitter”. Although I’m not a team, I do bring some diverse traits to the table. To get a little taste of the Leverage TV Show, here’s a link to a the Leverage Intro on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsHQjVMtjrA

YOu can also catch both the old Leverage TV series on Prime TV or the new Leverage Redemption series also on Prime TV.

WHO IS KEN NIX

Picture of Ken Nix, who is an Oregon Certified and Licensed Vehicle Appraiser who specializes in Oregon Total Loss Vehicle Disputes.

Ken Nix is a local Oregon Certified and Licensed Vehicle appraiser who has been authorized by ODOT to appraise vehicles in Oregon for over 14 years.
Ken started in the automotive industry in the 1980s and has sold and appraised tens of thousands of vehicles including late model cars and trucks, Exotics, Muscle Cars, Street Rods, Vintage, Classics, Street Rods, Camper Conversions, and even Japanese right-hand drive vans while working for multiple franchises over 20 years. Ken is the independent appraiser chosen by Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo for independent vehicle assessments.
Previously employed by Diversiform and Reynolds and Reynolds. Ken worked for years with local Automotive Dealers to market vehicles. Hundreds of Dealership owners, managers, and staff know and trust him. Ken also worked with Lanphere Enterprises, and many other local dealers to provide digital solutions for automotive marketing.
Ken is the founder of Volkswagen Owners Club, My GTI, and Jetta Junkie and was an Administrator for Autoguide.com for over 10 years.
Ken knows he market, and how to discredit your insurance company’s comparable vehicles by identifying bad repairs, title issues, previous damage, bad paint, rust from being from a salt state, and more.
Ken has the tools available to see previous vehicle listings, prior damage, and market flucuations that would not be economically cost effective for a single claimant to use.

Ken Nix's current Oregon Auto Appraisers Certification and License issued by ODOT

Ken has actual long term automotive sales, appraisal and negotiation experience. Beware long term businesses with inexperienced vehicle appraisers claiming decades of experience because a relative founded the business. Make sure your automotive appraiser has the real world experience to back up their claims.
Ken’s background in training salespeople on Product Knowledge, combined with auto body repair assessment experience and his computer background provides negotiating leverage over opposing appraisers. The ability to spot bad repairs from prior damage on an opposing appraiser’s comparables to discrediting salt state and flood damaged vehicles used by your insurance company’s valuations from CCC One and Mitchell / J.D. Powers to lowball your vehicle.
Expert Negotiator. Personally trained one on one by Zig Ziglar, Tom Stuker, and Grant Cordone. Over 45 years experience as a professional negotiator.
Ken’s Automotive, Computer Technology, Legal Reseach, and Negotiating background provides a very specific skill set that makes him a nightmare to opposing appraisers.