Brookings, Oregon Auto Appraiser

Brookings, Oregon Vehicle Appraisal Service

Welcome to Leverage Auto Appraisals, your trusted provider of vehicle appraisal services in Brookings, Oregon. We offer expert evaluations for your Car, Truck, SUV, Van, Camper, RV, Classic Car, JDM, Motor Coach, or Electric Vehicle. Certified by the Oregon Department of Transportation, our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of the Brookings community.

Brookings, Oregon, is a picturesque coastal city known for its stunning scenery, mild climate, and outdoor activities. The city is famous for its beautiful beaches, like Harris Beach State Park, and its vibrant azalea flowers, which bloom year-round. The annual Azalea Festival attracts visitors from all over, showcasing the community’s rich heritage and natural beauty. Our senior appraiser, Ken Nix, has been serving the residents of Brookings since 2010. Unlike companies operating from distant locations such as Georgia, Seattle, Los Angeles, Florida, or Canada, Leverage Auto Appraisals is locally based in Oregon. This ensures we have an in-depth understanding of the specific market conditions and trends in Brookings.

If you’re looking for “the best total loss appraisal near me,” you’ve come to the right place. Leverage Auto Appraisals has earned a 5-star rating and over 80 local 5-star Google reviews, reflecting our commitment to providing exceptional service. We offer comprehensive Brookings auto appraisals for total loss claims, ensuring you receive a fair and accurate evaluation for your vehicle. Our services include determining car value, fair market value assessments, and conducting independent appraisals after an accident. We are also proficient in navigating Oregon’s total loss threshold to help you get the maximum insurance payout.

As a resident of Brookings, Oregon, you deserve an auto appraiser who understands the local market and can provide detailed and equitable appraisals. Whether you live near the scenic Chetco River, the bustling marina, or the tranquil residential neighborhoods, our services are designed to meet your specific needs.

Our extensive knowledge of Oregon Total Loss Laws allows us to handle the appraisal process with precision and efficiency. We specialize in contesting incorrect valuations from CCC ONE and Mitchell, ensuring you receive the highest possible compensation from your insurance company for your totaled car. Our comprehensive services cover car and vehicle appraisals, determining car value, and fair market value assessments, guiding you on how to get the most out of your insurance for a totaled car.

Living in Brookings, Oregon, you might be familiar with the complexities of dealing with insurance companies after an accident. Our goal is to simplify the appraisal process, making it as smooth and stress-free as possible. We provide thorough and accurate Brookings auto appraisals to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Our local expertise and extensive experience are essential in delivering outstanding service.

At Leverage Auto Appraisals, we are proud to be a part of the Brookings community. Our commitment is to provide transparent, honest, and precise appraisals for all our clients. Whether you need a classic car appraisal, an online consultation with a car appraiser, or an evaluation of your vehicle’s fair market value, we are here to help.

For more information or to schedule an appraisal, contact us today and experience the difference a dedicated, local appraiser can make in Brookings, Oregon. To see our 5-star Google reviews, please scroll below.

CALL NOW 503.420.3001

Our Email Address: leveragepdx@gmail.com

Brookings, Oregon Auto Appraiser

Brookings, Oregon Vehicle Appraisal Service

CALL NOW 503.420.3001

Our Email Address: leveragepdx@gmail.com

Total Loss Appraisal Clause. Getting Your Real Market Value.

We don’t just write a Total Loss Fair Market Value appraisal like some companies. Our Total Loss auto appraiser will also negotiate with your insurance company’s appraiser to get a fair value for your totaled vehicle. This is included in the price of your appraisal, you won’t be upsold later on like some companies. ALERT! If you pay for an appraisal, and the appraiser charges you an additional amount to negotiate the claim, you may only be reimbursed for the cost of the appraisal only. That’s why we include claim negotiation at no additional charge with all of our total loss appraisals.

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Auto Appraiser

Over 14 years as an Oregon Licensed Auto Appraiser #V34-075

Negotiator

Ken Nix has over 40 years of negotiation experience, with 30+ years in the automotive industry, and over 14 years negotiating Oregon Total Loss Claims for Oregonians. We specialize in Oregon Total Loss claims so you don’t have to.

Only Works For Consumers

No conflict of interest here. While other appraisal companies may claim to work only for consumers, we really do. We only work for consumers, not insurance companies. I’ll state my reputation on that. – Ken Nix

photo of an Oregon Licensed and Certified auto appraiser's license as approved by ODOT to appraise vehicles in Oregon

Eugene Oregon Totaled Vehicle insurance appraisal clause dispute

Detailed Specs

In Oregon and Washington, if you feel you’ve been offered an unfair amount, you’ll normally have an appraisal clause in your policy that allows you to dispute their offer. The appraisal clause allows you to hire an independent auto appraiser to produce an appraisal and your insurance company will also have to hire an independent auto appraiser to produce one for them. The two auto appraisers will negotiate the value between them, if they can not come to an agreement, then an Umpire will decide which appraisal is more credible.

In Oregon, if we increase the value by one cent more than the last offer your insurance company offered you, they have to reimburse you for the cost of the appraisal.

If your claim is with your insurer, you may have the right to an appraisal if your policy
includes an appraisal provision. Your insurer must reimburse your reasonable
appraisal costs if the final appraised value is greater than the insurer’s last offer. This
provision applies to all new policyholders on or after January 1, 2010 and to current
policyholders upon the first renewal of their policy that occurs on or after January 1,
2010. Ask your claims adjuster or the Insurance Division for more information.

Lowball offers from CCC One are more common than you may think. In the case of Buratovich v. Farmers Insurance, documents obtained during discovery, reflected that Farmers Insurance had selected CCC One solely due to it’s evaluations having the lowest payout in regards to a Total Loss Claim. CCC has also recently come under fire in Georgia where consumer advocates claim they have substantially lower valuations than other companies.If your car, truck, RV, motorcycle, or other wheeled vehicle has been totaled, before you accept the insurance company’s total loss offer, you should speak to an Auto Appraiser.

There have also been several Class Action Lawsuits filed regarding Mitchell / J. D. Powers and Associates Total Loss Valuation Methods. This valuation has been involved in several cases where consumers have sought class action lawsuits against State Farm and Progressive for using Mitchell and J.D. Powers valuations.

Excellent

Leverage Auto Appraisals |Total Loss Appraiser

Based on 175 reviews

Danielle Andrade

I sadly totaled my 2017 4Runner recently. I’m so glad I called Ken at leverage auto. He was able to get me $2k more than progressive was going to pay out. It’s a good thing he’s doing! 2k definitely made a difference to me! Thank you Ken!

Scot Northern

I highly recommend Ken Nix at Leverage Auto Appraisals. When my 2024 Toyota 4Runner was declared a total loss, the insurance company tried to lowball me on the value of my vehicle and aftermarket upgrades. I hired Ken, and his tenacity was exactly what I needed. He truly fights for the little guy against the corporate bureaucracy. By coordinating directly with the state regulators and insurance company appraisers, while refusing to back down, he successfully secured a $3,056 increase over the initial insurance offer. If you are dealing with a total loss and need an expert who will relentlessly advocate for what you are owed, Ken is your guy.

Response from the owner:Scot, thank you so much for the outstanding review and for trusting me with your 2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium. That is one beautiful 4Runner, and I am glad we were able to secure an additional $3,056 over the original offer from Progressive. One of the biggest challenges in your claim was making sure the true value of both your vehicle and its aftermarket upgrades was recognized. Insurance companies do not always give those upgrades the consideration they deserve, so it often takes persistence, solid research, and a willingness to stand your ground. I appreciate your patience while I worked through the process because I truly believed your 4Runner was worth more than the initial offer reflected. Thank you again for your recommendation and your kind words. Helping people level the playing field during a total loss claim is exactly why I do this. I hope you never need my services again, but if you ever have questions in the future, you know how to reach me. Kind regards, Ken

James McNames

Great experience. They were able to negotiate a value that was approximately 50% higher than what the insurance company initially offered. Would use them again, and I strongly recommend them.

Response from the owner:James, thank you so much for the great review and recommendation. I really appreciate you trusting me with your total loss claim. I am glad we were able to increase your settlement by approximately 50 percent over the original offer from your insurance company. Claims like yours are a good reminder that the first offer is not always the final offer. My job is to research the market, build a credible appraisal, and then stand behind that value during negotiations. It is always rewarding when that work results in a settlement that is much closer to what the vehicle is actually worth. Thank you again for your recommendation. It was a pleasure working with you, and I hope you never need my services again. But if you ever do, or if you know someone dealing with a total loss, I will be happy to help. Kind regards, Ken

Gwen Tomac

I highly recommend working with Ken at Leverage Auto Appraisals. We were a bit lost after we were rear-ended and our insurance company declared our vehicle totaled. The payout was much less than the vehicles value and we were overwhelmed. Ken explained OR state laws around this and what he would do on our behalf. It was not a quick process, but it was definitely worthwhile. In the end, Ken was able to get us a settlement much closer to the vehicles value. We are incredibly grateful to him and would 100% recommend him.

Response from the owner:Gwen, thank you so much for the wonderful review. I truly appreciate you and your family trusting me during such a stressful time. I am especially glad we were able to increase the value of your 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Limited from $49,415 to $56,077, resulting in an additional $6,662 for your family. I know the appraisal clause process is not always fast, but I believe it is far better to take the time to pursue a fair settlement than to simply accept a low offer. I'm grateful we were able to get much closer to the true market value of your vehicle, and I appreciate your patience throughout the process. Also, if you have not yet received reimbursement for the full cost of the appraisal, please let me know. Under Oregon law, if the appraisal results in an increase over the insurance company's last offer, they are required to reimburse your reasonable appraisal costs. I want to make sure you receive every dollar you are entitled to. Thank you again for your recommendation and your trust. It was a pleasure working with you, and I wish you and your family all the best. Kind regards, Ken

Nick Rucker

Ken nix and his team helped me out tremendously with my 2007 Subaru. Limited edition STI and my total loss claim. He was able to appraise over $5000 above what state farm had originally submitted. I'm so grateful and thankful for Ken Nix and his team and his services. Excellent job and excellent service. I will definitely suggest and recommend using them for any total loss claim.

Response from the owner:Nick, thank you so much for the awesome review and for trusting me with your 2007 Subaru WRX STI Limited. I am really glad we were able to increase the value by **more than $5,000** over the original offer. Vehicles like yours deserve someone who understands what makes them special, and I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to fight for its true market value. While I am happy with the appraisal result, I also know our work is not completely finished. I have always believed that just because the appraisal is over does not mean I stop helping my clients. Whenever I think there is something more that can be done, I will continue to point people in the right direction, help research information, and do whatever I reasonably can to help them move forward. I cannot provide legal advice, but I will always do my best to help you understand the process and the options available to you. Thank you again for your recommendation and your trust. Clients like you are the reason I enjoy what I do. Hopefully you never need me again, but if you ever have questions down the road, do not hesitate to give me a call. And even though I have no ablity to negotiate the salvage, I'll continue to be here for you until we get the issue resolved. Kind regards, Ken

DJ FaceCrook Funches

I recently worked with Ken Mix after my 2017 Nissan Leaf was totaled in an accident that was 100% the other driver's fault. State Farm's initial settlement offer was far too low, and I was struggling to get a fair value for my vehicle. I actually used an AI tool to help me research my options, and it flagged Ken as one of the top independent appraisers in the region, noting his consistent victories in disputing lowball claims against State Farm. Ken came highly recommended, and he absolutely delivered. The story of how we started working together is pretty funny. At first, Ken honestly didn't think he could take my case. Because of the highly volatile nature of the market for older EVs—specifically the Nissan Leaf—he wasn't sure he could find the data to beat State Farm's quote. Instead of just taking my money, he generously gave me a brilliant counter-strategy: he told me to report our initial consultation directly to State Farm to show them I was speaking with an independent appraiser, predicting that just knowing I had an expert in my corner might scare them into raising the Actual Cash Value (ACV) by $1,000 on the spot. But it gets better. About a day later, Ken emailed me urgently. He had kept digging into the data on his own time, completed some deeper research, and realized he could absolutely get me a deal. He was so confident after reviewing the numbers that he told me that if I paid his fee, he could almost guarantee an appraisal that would cover the cost, making it entirely worthwhile and risk-free for me. He took the case, conducted a meticulous appraisal, and completely shattered State Farm's lowball offer—ultimately securing an additional $1,702 on top of their first valuation. His report paid for itself multiple times over, just like he said it would. Beyond being an absolute master of his craft, Ken is a fascinating person to talk to. He has an incredible background, a unique education, and a wealth of diverse life experiences that make him an absolute pleasure to work with. He genuinely cares about getting justice for his clients. If you are dealing with a total loss or a difficult insurance claim in the Seattle/Tacoma area, do yourself a favor and call Ken Mix. He is the absolute best in the business. Thank you, Ken!

Response from the owner:John, thank you so much for taking the time to write such an incredible review. I truly appreciate your trust, and I am glad we were ultimately able to increase the value of your 2017 Nissan Leaf by an additional **$1,702**. I have to admit, this claim almost never happened. When we first spoke, I honestly did not think I could build a strong enough appraisal to justify asking you to hire me. The market for older Nissan Leafs can be extremely volatile, and I never want someone to spend money on an appraisal unless I genuinely believe I can help. After our conversation, though, I just could not let it go. I kept researching on my own time and eventually found stronger comparable vehicles much closer to your area. Those local comparables completely changed my opinion of the claim, so I reached back out because I believed we finally had enough evidence to move forward. I am really glad I did. I originally thought we might be able to improve the settlement by around a thousand dollars, so I was happy we were able to exceed that and secure an additional $1,702 instead. The only part that still frustrates me is that, unlike Oregon, Washington does not require insurance companies to reimburse consumers for the reasonable cost of an appraisal when it results in a higher settlement. I have always believed that if the insurance company is proven wrong, the consumer should not have to bear the cost of proving it. In most cases I've been able to provide a strong enough argument, that insurance companies have reimbursed the appraisal fee in Washington, and I can't believe State Farm fought us on the reimbursement. Unfortunately, sometimes this happens on Washington State claims. Thank you again for your thoughtful review and recommendation. It was a pleasure working with you, and I truly enjoyed our conversations along the way. I wish you nothing but the best, and if you ever need anything in the future, you know how to reach me. Kind regards, Ken

Shawn Penny

I highly recommend Ken with Leverage Auto Appraisals. They were instrumental in my total loss claim process. The insurance company initially offered me $16,500 for my vehicle, but thanks to Leverage’s professional appraisal, I was able to secure a settlement of $19,950. Their service was professional, effective, and well worth it."

Response from the owner:Shawn, thank you so much for the great review and for trusting me with your total loss claim. I am glad we were able to increase your settlement to $19,950. Claims like yours are a good reminder that the first offer from an insurance company is not always the fair market value of a vehicle. My goal is never to create the highest appraisal possible. It is to produce the most accurate appraisal possible and then defend that value during negotiations. That approach helped us reach a settlement that was much closer to what your vehicle was actually worth. I truly appreciate your recommendation and the opportunity to help. Hopefully you never need an independent appraiser again, but if you do, I will be here. I wish you all the best, and thank you again for choosing Leverage Auto Appraisals. Kind regards, Ken

Josh Liang

Ken did an excellent job negotiating a better price for my vehicle. The lowball offer the insurance company tried to give me intially was insulting. It was several thousand below what Ken was able to evaluate the vehicle at. If you want someone who will fight for a fair settlement, Ken Nix is your man.

Response from the owner:Josh, thank you for the awesome review. I really appreciate you trusting me with your 2024 Subaru Outback claim. I am glad we were able to increase the settlement from $29,572 to $34,000, putting another $4,428 in your pocket. This was one of the tougher negotiations because the opposing appraisal company was not eager to move from their position. It would have been easy to accept a smaller increase and move on, but I truly believed your vehicle was worth more. Sometimes it just takes persistence and a willingness to keep fighting until the evidence speaks for itself. Thank you again for your recommendation. Reviews like yours help other people realize they do not have to simply accept a lowball total loss offer. Hopefully you never need me again, but if you do, I will be here to help. Kind regards, Ken

Troy

I was rear-ended and my insurance offered me $19,489 for my 2021 Toyota Camry. Ken got me $22,005.50 which is an increase of $2,516.50! I would absolutely use Ken in the future and strongly recommend him.

Response from the owner:Troy, thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review and for trusting me with your total loss claim. I am glad we were able to increase State Farm's offer on your 2021 Toyota Camry from $19,489 to $22,005.50, putting an additional $2,516.50 in your pocket. I truly appreciate your recommendation. While this increase may not have been as dramatic as some of my other claims, every case is different, and my goal is always the same. I do everything I can to prove the true market value of a vehicle rather than simply accepting the first increase the insurance company offers. Every dollar matters when it comes time to replace your vehicle. I also hope your experience reminds other Oregon drivers that they do not have to accept the first total loss offer they receive. Many people are unaware that their policy contains an appraisal clause because it is often buried in the paperwork and rarely explained. Under Oregon law, if the appraisal increases the insurance company's final offer by even one cent, they must reimburse the reasonable cost of the appraisal. That knowledge alone has helped many people recover thousands of dollars they otherwise would have left behind. Thank you again for your trust and your recommendation. Hopefully you never need my services again, but if you do, I will always be happy to help. Kind regards, Ken

Jeff Reece

I totaled my vehicle. State Farm offered me 11k less than the market value was. I had no idea about any of this process or what to do. I found Leverage Auto Appraisals on Google. I got ahold of Ken the owner and from that point on I was literally on cruise control. Ken's credentials some of which are on their website are truly excellent. And excellent is the exact word I would use for the ENTIRE service I received from Ken. From his professionalism from start to finish to him putting my insurance agency on notice that he has been doing this far longer than any of them and knows every law and statute of the process that if they wanted an ethics contract signed he had no problem with that just first send him a copy of the appraiser they are using and how much have they paid him in the last year! No response from that! He wasn't intimidated and didn't let them walk all over me. Ken is like going to court with Johnny Cochran as an attorney compared to a public defender. I could in NO WAY find another person capable of doing a better job. I absolutely recommend him over anyone else!

Response from the owner:Jeff, thank you so much for such an incredible review. I truly appreciate your trust. I am especially glad we were able to increase the value of your 2019 Dodge Charger from State Farm's original offer of $15,856 to $22,670, putting an additional $6,814 in your pocket, a 43 percent increase. I also have to admit your comparison to Johnny Cochran tickled me. I am not sure I deserve that, but I certainly appreciate it. Your claim was one of those where the initial CCC valuation simply did not make sense. State Farm eventually tried to resolve the claim with a much smaller increase, but I truly believed your Charger was worth considerably more. Rather than taking the path of least resistance, I stayed with it until we reached a settlement that was much closer to its true market value. That is exactly why I fight every claim as if it were my own. One thing I hope other Oregon drivers take away from your experience is that most people have no idea the appraisal clause even exists. The information is buried in the total loss paperwork in extremely small print, and if your adjuster never mentions it, you may never know it is an option. Many people also do not realize they can accept the portion of the settlement that is not in dispute while the appraisal clause process moves forward. Even better, under Oregon law, if the appraisal increases the insurance company's final offer by as little as one cent, the insurance company must reimburse the reasonable cost of the appraisal. After more than 16 years handling these claims, I have yet to have a State Farm appraisal clause case where I was not able to secure a significant increase for my client. Thank you again for posting the photo of your Charger and for trusting me throughout the entire appraisal clause process. Reviews like yours help other Oregon drivers realize they do not have to simply accept a low insurance settlement without asking questions. I wish you all the best, and hopefully our paths only cross again under much better circumstances. Kind regards, Ken

OREGON CERTIFIED AUTO APPRAISER

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OREGON CERTIFIED APPRAISER

When Hiring an Auto Appraiser, make sure they are certified by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Otherwise, the appraisal may not be considered credible. We are an Oregon certified and licensed auto appraiser. #V34-075

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CREDIBLE APPRAISALS

Some appraisal companies inflate their valuations in an effort to entice you to use them because they have the largest value. Largest doesn’t mean you’ll settle for more, normally it’s the opposite. Most insurance companies know who provides credible appraisals, and who provide inflated values

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AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE

With over 13 years as a licensed and Certified Oregon Auto Appraiser, Ken has the experience to handle any job. He has over 40 years negotiating experience with over 35 years spent in the automotive industry.

Types of vehicles we appraise: Car, Truck, SUV, Vans, Motorcycles, Sprinter Vans, Off-Road Vehicles, Side by Sides, Street Rods, Muscle cars, Street Racers, Motorcycles, Camper, RV, Classic Car, JDM, Motor Coach, or Electric Vehicle.

Services Offered: Insurance Total Loss Disputes, Classic Car Insurance Appraisals, Accident Claims Adjusting (Automotive, Semi, etc.), Heavy Equipment and RVs, Pre-Purchase Inspections, Divorce, Bankruptcy, and Estate Settlements, Charitable Donations, 3rd Party Arbitration/Umpire Services, Industry-Recognized Expert Witness.

Brands We Work With: AC, Acura, Allard, Alfa Romeo, American LaFrance, Audi, AMC, Aston-Martin, Austin-Healey, Avanti, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Buick, Cadillac, Canoo, Checker, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Cobra, Corvair, Crosley, Cruise, Daewoo, Datsun, Delorean, Dodge, Duessenberg, Eagle, Edsel, Ferrari, Fiat, Fisker, Fleetwood, Ford, Geo, GMC, GTO, Holden, Honda, Hudson, Hummer, Hyundai, Imperial, Infiniti, International, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Jensen, Kaiser, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lancia, LaSalle, Lexus, Lincoln, Lotus, Lucid, MG, Mangusta, Maserati, Mazda, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mini, Mitsubishi, Morgan, Nash, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Opel, Packard, Peugeot, Plymouth, Pontiac, Porsche, Rivian, Renault, Rolls Royce, Saab, Saleen, Saturn, Scion, Shelby, Smart, Studebaker, Stutz, Subaru, Sunbeam, Suzuki, Talbot-Lago, TESLA Toyota, Triumph, Tucker, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, Volvo, Willys, Zimmer.

Specialized Models: Barracuda, Camaro, Challenger, Chevelle, Corvette, Cougar, Firebird, Mustang, Roadrunner, Shelby, Thunderbird.

Motorcycles: Aprilia, ATK, Benelli, BMW, Boss Hoss, Buell, Carver, Cheetah, Cheetah Trikes, Chongqing, Ecstasy Cycles, Electric Moto, Eller, Gambler, Ghezzi & Brian, Happy Motorcycle, Harley-Davidson, Hercheemoto.

Insurance Companies we help clients dispute low-value offers against: All major insurance companies that provide services in Oregon including State Farm, Geico, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers Insurance, American Family Insurance, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, USAA, Travelers, The Hartford, AAA Insurance, Safeco Insurance, Country Financial, Chubb, California Casualty, and Mutual of Enumclaw. We also help you dispute claims against business 3rd parties and their administrators.

You DESERVE A FAIR SETTLEMENT

LEVERAGE

Auto Appraisals

(503) 420-3001

Location

8885 SW Canyon Rd.
Portland, OR. 97225

Email

leveragepdx@gmail.com

Open Hours

Mon:10am – 5pm
Tue: 10am – 5pm
Wed: 10am – 5pm
Thur: 10am – 5pm
Fri: 10am – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 5pm
Sun: Closed