Portland, Oregon Auto Appraiser

Portland, Oregon Vehicle Appraisal Service

Welcome to Leverage Auto Appraisals, your premier choice for vehicle appraisals in Portland, Oregon. Whether you need an expert appraisal for your Car, Truck, SUV, Van, Camper, RV, Classic Car, JDM, Motor Coach, or Electric Vehicle, we are here to provide accurate and fair evaluations. Our services are certified by the Oregon Department of Transportation, ensuring that you receive the most precise appraisals tailored to the unique needs of the Portland community.

Portland, Oregon, known as the “City of Roses,” is celebrated for its vibrant arts scene, eco-friendly initiatives, and stunning natural landscapes, including the iconic Mount Hood. Our senior appraiser, Ken Nix, has been serving the residents of Portland since 2010. He previously worked for Beaverton Honda, Herzog Meier, and Dick’s Makenzie Ford. He has been a resident of the Portland Metro area since January 2000. He is local and knows the Portland market. He also provides vehicle appraisals for many of the local dealerships including Javan Imports, Ron Tonkin Grand Turismo, Newberg Chevrolet and others. Unlike many appraisal firms operating from distant states like Georgia, Seattle, Los Angeles, Florida, or Canada, Leverage Auto Appraisals is based locally in Portland, Oregon. This local expertise allows us to understand and cater to the specific market dynamics of Portland.

When you’re searching for “the best total loss appraisal near me,” Leverage Auto Appraisals stands out. Our 5-star rating and over 80 local 5-star Google reviews highlight our dedication to providing exceptional service. We offer a variety of Portland auto appraisals for total loss claims, ensuring that you receive a fair and precise evaluation for your vehicle. Our services include assessing car value, determining fair market value, and conducting independent appraisals after an accident. We also navigate the Oregon total loss threshold to help you get the maximum insurance payout.

As a resident of Portland, you deserve an auto appraiser who is intimately familiar with the local market and can deliver precise and fair appraisals. Whether you’re located near the bustling Pearl District, the serene Forest Park, or the historic Old Town Chinatown, we are here to meet your specific needs effectively.

Our in-depth knowledge of Oregon Total Loss Laws allows us to handle the appraisal process efficiently and accurately. We specialize in challenging incorrect valuations from CCC ONE and Mitchell, ensuring that you receive the highest possible payout from your insurance company for your totaled car. Our comprehensive services include car and vehicle appraisals, car value assessments, and fair market value determinations, guiding you on how to maximize your insurance payout for a totaled car.

Living in Portland, Oregon, you might be aware of the challenges associated with dealing with insurance companies post-accident. Our mission is to make the appraisal process as seamless and stress-free as possible. We provide detailed and accurate Portland auto appraisals to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Our local expertise and experience are crucial in delivering top-notch service.

At Leverage Auto Appraisals, we are proud to be part of the Portland 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 assessment of your vehicle’s fair market value, we are here to assist you.

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

CALL NOW 503.420.3001

Our Email Address: leveragepdx@gmail.com

Portland, Oregon Auto Appraiser

Portland, 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

4.9

Based on 84 reviews

Mustafa Ateş

Ken is the man! He is the person, you would like to work with. My insurance company lowballed me and after a Google search, I hired Ken. He negotiated hard with them and raised the price by almost $2000 more. And I was reimbursed by the insurance company, so it was a free service for me. Appreciate your help, Ken.

Jennifer Chamale

Ken is the best! He helped increase my settlement by 270%. I was so disheartened when a drunk driver ran into my parked car and totaled it, and even more disheartened when my insurance offered me such a low-ball settlement. Thanks to Ken, I can actually afford to buy a drivable car. I'm so glad I took the appraisal clause route. I couldn't have picked a better person to help me through the process. Ken was always quick to reply, and he got the ball rolling super quick. He is super transparent and helpful! 10/10 recommend!

Jason Connelly

Absolutely blown away. My insurance company was trying to rob me on the value of my car. I’m very pleased than they were able to negotiate a settlement from 20k up to almost 24k. Well worth the $500 that I even got reimbursed

Response from the owner: Thank you, Jason, for your kind words. In Oregon, insurance companies are required to reimburse the cost of the appraisal on an appraisal clause dispute if we increase the settlement by just one cent over the last offer accourding to Oregon law OAR 836-080-0240. My flat fee includes negotiation, unlike many companies that charge a low initial fee and then demand exorbitant amounts to negotiate the claim at an hourly rate or as much as 50% of the increase. FYI, if a company charges you $225 for an appraisal, then an additional $300 per hour to negotiate the claim settlement, according to Oregon law, they only owe you $225 reimbursement, even if they charged you $600 more for the negotiation. It's very concerning that many out-of-state appraisers are now targeting Oregon in the last few months, most appear to be working for the insurance companies as many of them are the same opposing appraisers I'm having to fight against. Some even claim to be "insiders" because of their previous work with insurers as adjusters..... Yeah, I bet they're just very ethical and would never be biased against someone paying them a small amount even though they're making $100k a year from the same insurance company. Then I look at the skyrocketing online advertising costs, driven up from $2.52 last August, to $92.09 per click over the last few months due to these new out of state appraisers. My question is what business model makes this logical? I've been very fortunate to have supportive clients like you who post reviews. This helps others understand that I strive to secure fair settlements, not low ball offers. I only do approximately 20-25 appraisals per month, so I'm not looking for the path of least resistance like some of these companies doing 150 appraisals per month. I actually work the claim and audit the opposing appraiser's appraisal and comps. Thank you Jason for helping spread the word! I appreciate you taking your time. Kind regards, Kenps. I apologize for ranting, but it's not fair what's going on lately. People pay their premiums, but are being low balled with comparable vehicles that have no photos, and questionable condition when they have a claim? Some of these valuations I'm seeing have comparables with Branded Titles, structural damage, 3-4 prior accidents, bad repairs, and even thousands in current damage. Things that make you go hmmmmmm..........

Babak Jabbari

If you want to talk about professionalism, experience, and honesty Ken is the man. He helped me understand the accident claim process and total loss comps and how insurance companies come up with payout amounts. He put me on ease to accept my settlement deal and move on. Thanks Ken

Response from the owner: Thank you for the kind words Babak. It's not very often I run up on a claim that is actually a good deal for the policyholder, but in your case, it was. I'm glad I could provide you with the information for you to make a well informed decision. It was really nice of you to take the time to write a review even though I wasn't able to help you achieve a higher settlement. If just everyone I helped get $3,000 or more on their claims wrote me a reviews, I'd have literally thousands of reviews instead of 80. So again, thank you VERY much to taking the time to provide your input.

David Winkler

I had a total loss claim on a vehicle with a rebuilt title. After receiving what I perceived to be a low offer, I hired Ken based on the great reviews and was not disappointed. Ken helped negotiate on our behalf and was able to raise the appraised value by more than 20%. He was also very informative and helpful walking me through the process. I would highly recommend Leverage Auto Appraisals to others in a similar situation.

Response from the owner: Thank you, David! I really appreciate you taking the time to write a review. Makes me feel good to be able to get the extra $3,300 you should have been offered to begin with. It's crazy how low some of these valuations have been recently. I was reviewing my records this morning, and out of 84 claims I've settled in the past few months, only 18 had increases of less than $3,000. This should never happen. Before the pandemic, only about 20-30% of the appraisal clause claims I worked on saw increases over $3,000. Now it's reverse???? Something really weird is going on in my opinion.

Timothy O'Connor

Ken is the man! He’s super informative and educates you through out the process and genuinely cares about you which is a huge breadth of fresh air after dealing with insurance agents. Also, at the end of the day he gets the job done. I’ve used him twice and each time my appraisal went up at least 130%! Ken’s the man!

Response from the owner: Thank you for your continued trust in my services and for taking the time to share your experience. I am thrilled to have successfully assisted you with your Honda Element claim, resulting in a $4,000 increase, and now again with your Volkswagen claim, achieving another significant increase of over $4,000.Your case highlights the importance of a thorough and expert appraisal process. The CCC ONE valuation initially deducted $1,895 from your vehicle compared to a similar vehicle with over 18,000 more miles, which was a clear oversight. Additionally, State Farm's CCC ONE valuation used comparables that were not the correct model trim, without making necessary adjustments for this discrepancy. Such inaccuracies can severely impact the Actual Cash Value and ultimately your settlement.As a licensed auto appraiser specializing in Total Loss Appraisal and Car Appraisal, my goal is to ensure that clients like you receive fair and accurate valuations. I leverage local market knowledge and detailed research to dispute total loss insurance claims effectively. Your experience underscores the critical need to challenge unfair valuations and seek adjustments based on accurate comparables and realistic market conditions.It's important to note that many appraisers out there work for insurance companies. While they may claim to be unbiased and "on your side," if they are earning $100k a year from claims provided by insurance companies, their loyalty might not truly lie with the consumer. Recently, there has been an influx of appraisers advertising in the Oregon area from places like Seattle, California, Georgia, and even Canada. These appraisers often don't realize we don't have an 8% sales tax in Oregon. They may claim to be "local," but in reality, they only have a PO Box in Oregon.I am grateful for your loyalty and pleased to see our efforts lead to such substantial financial gains. Your feedback is invaluable, and I remain committed to providing exceptional service and support to all my clients.Thank you once again for choosing my services for your total loss disputes. Should you or anyone you know need assistance with a total loss insurance claim, please do not hesitate to reach out.Best regards,Ken NixLeverage Auto Appraisals

amy boynton

Ken Nix, Leverage Auto Appraisals, Portland Oregon★★★★★★★★★★If I could, I'd give Ken 10 ★s!! Ken Nix is a great advocate!! We were the original owners of a 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser; it was stolen from the “secured” parking garage at our apartment in downtown Portland. We hardly ever drove it, so we didn't discover the cruiser was stolen for nearly a week. A couple days later I fell and broke my jaw & 2 ribs, so we had a LOT of stress going on. PDXstolencars (dot) com helped us locate the car, but the thieves totaled it - then State Farm tried to lowball us on the ACV.I started doing research on what to do when your insurance company undervalues your total loss vehicle and “stumbled upon” Ken Nix; well, that must have been an act of Grace, because Ken negotiated our settlement and not only got an increase in our ACV payout, but also helped alleviate the intense stress of the situation.When one is facing an unfamiliar state of affairs (i.e. the loss of your 33 yr old beloved land cruiser that's recently transitioned to the status of a “collector's car”), one needs an advocate that's not only well-versed in the domain of vehicle valuation and appraisal, but also knows the local players involved. In Oregon, you also need that appraiser to be licensed w/the Oregon Dept of Transportation.Ken Nix is your guy!! Ken ONLY advocates for regular people, not for the insurance companies. Everything he told us was accurate, and it all played out just as he expected. If you're facing the total loss of your vehicle, just call Ken Nix… you'll be glad you did!! ★★★★★★★★★★

Response from the owner: Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. I am genuinely sorry for the ordeal you went through with the theft and total loss of your 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser, especially given your personal injuries and the emotional stress involved. Losing a beloved vehicle like your Land Cruiser, which holds significant sentimental value, can be incredibly tough. My heart goes out to you and your family during this time.Navigating a State Farm Appraisal Clause Dispute Claim under such circumstances is challenging, and I commend your resilience. I'm glad I could assist in this difficult time by negotiating an increase in the Actual Cash Value (ACV) payout from State Farm. Your praise for my expertise, local knowledge, and dedication to advocating for regular people, not insurance companies, means a lot to me.As a licensed auto appraiser specializing in Total Loss Appraisal and Car Appraisal, I focus on ensuring fair and accurate valuations for my clients. In your case, the initial CCC ONE valuation by State Farm undervalued your Land Cruiser. It is essential to challenge such lowball offers, as they often do not reflect the true market value, especially when relying on inaccurate comparables or incorrect CCC ONE Valuation data.Thank you for acknowledging the importance of knowing the local dealers, market, and area. Recently, there has been an influx of appraisers from places like Seattle, Florida, Georgia, California, and even Canada, who often charge policyholders $225 for an appraisal to "hook" them, then add $300 per hour or even 50% of the increase to negotiate the claim. Because their appraisals are low, insurance companies only reimburse the $225 appraisal cost, not the full $725 it actually costs, as the separate negotiation charge is not part of the appraisal. This practice seems nearly like bait and switch and raises questions about who their true client is—policyholders or insurance companies.That's why I refuse to work for insurance companies. Even if appraisers make a conscious decision to be unbiased, the significant amount of business they receive from insurance companies can unconsciously influence their valuations. Ensuring that my clients receive fair settlements without any conflict of interest is my top priority.I am grateful for your loyalty and pleased to see our efforts lead to a fair settlement. Your feedback is invaluable, and I remain committed to providing exceptional service and support to all my clients.Thank you once again for placing your trust in my services during such a stressful time. Should you or anyone you know need assistance with a total loss dispute or any other car appraisal needs, please do not hesitate to reach out.Best regards,Ken NixLeverage Auto Appraisals

Travis

Ken was excellent to work with and really is an expert in his field. He does everything he can to help and got me over $4,000 more than my insurance's initial offer. Highly recommend getting yourself a quality appraiser like Ken.

Response from the owner: Thank you so much Travis, for your kind words and for taking the time to share your positive experience. I am delighted that we could secure over $4,000 more than the initial offer from the insurance company for your claim. Your recommendation means a lot to me.Achieving such a significant increase in the Market Value payout underscores the importance of a thorough and expert appraisal process. As a licensed auto appraiser specializing in Total Loss Appraisal and Car Appraisal, I am dedicated to providing accurate and fair valuations for all my clients. It's all too common for initial offers from insurance companies to be low, often based on incomplete or incorrect data from CCC ONE valuations or JD Powers Valuations.By carefully analyzing the market and ensuring that all factors are considered, I strive to dispute total loss insurance claims effectively and secure the settlements my clients deserve. Your case is a perfect example of why it's crucial to have a quality appraiser on your side.Thank you again for your trust and for recognizing my expertise and efforts. Should you or anyone you know need assistance with a total loss dispute or any other car appraisal needs, please do not hesitate to reach out. I remain committed to providing exceptional service and support to all my clients.Best regards,Ken NixLeverage Auto Appraisals

Tim Moore

Ken helped me through a tough total loss (theft) of a unique truck. I was getting nowhere with the insurance companies and thanks to Ken I feel that we reached a fair settlement.

Response from the owner: Thank you so very much Tim, for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. I am truly glad that I could assist you through the total loss dispute on your 1999 Ford F-550 Diesel Truck that was stolen. Your recognition of my assistance and expertise means a lot to me.Dealing with a total loss insurance appraisal clause claim for a unique vehicle, especially one stolen, presents specific challenges. Diesel trucks like yours have become common targets for car thieves lately, adding to the stress and complexity of the situation. The initial resistance from the insurance company to offer a fair settlement is a common issue many clients face. The complexity of valuing a unique truck accurately often leads to low initial offers based on incomplete or incorrect data from CCC ONE or JD Powers Valuations.This was a State Farm claim, and the initial appraisal from CCC ONE significantly undervalued your vehicle. Through thorough analysis and using my local market knowledge, I was able to increase the value by over $7,200, ensuring you received a fair settlement.I feel we should have gotten more, but again, we had to negotiate with an appraiser out of California. Funny, that's one of the same appraisers that are targeting Oregon consumers now. As an Oregon certified and licensed auto appraiser specializing in Total Loss Vehicle Appraisals, my goal is to ensure that clients like you receive a fair and accurate Market Value settlement. I strive to dispute total loss insurance claims effectively, leveraging local market knowledge and detailed analysis to challenge lowball offers.Your case underscores the importance of thorough and expert appraisals in achieving fair settlements, especially in difficult situations where the vehicle is unique and there are few comparable vehicles available. .Thank you once again for your trust and patience. Should you or anyone you know need assistance with a total loss dispute or any other car appraisal needs, please do not hesitate to reach out. I remain committed to providing exceptional service and support to all my clients.Best regards,Ken NixLeverage Auto Appraisals

todd marshall

Ken is the man, understands in real time the games the insurance company plays. Thanks Ken, nice work.

Response from the owner: Todd, as the Senior Assistant Attorney General at the Oregon Department of Justice, it is a sincere honor to meet your standards. I am extremely grateful for the invaluable insights and knowledge you have shared with me regarding Oregon law and total loss claims. Honestly, I feel I was just along for the ride, watching a master at work. I really enjoyed working with you. It was so funny that they just kept digging a deeper hole because they didn't know who you were. You're a true unsung hero to consumers throughout Oregon. Keep up the great work. - 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