Appraisal guide · Decide
How much does a diminished value appraisal cost?
A typical Autoloss diminished value appraisal costs $250–$350. Exotic vehicles may require additional fees. The fee is flat: it does not depend on the value the report reaches or on what the insurer pays. The claim review that comes first is free, so you know whether an appraisal is likely to help before you pay for one.
By the Autoloss team · Reviewed by Monica Fisher · Published
What the fee includes
- A written appraisal report: vehicle identification, review of the repair invoice and damage, pre-loss and post-repair market values with comparable vehicles, and the diminished value figure with how it was reached
- A custom demand letter written for your claim, to send with the report
- Review of the report by Monica Fisher before it is released
- Answers to the insurer’s questions about how the report was prepared
- Correction of the report if it contains an accidental error or omission
What can change the fee
- Exotic vehicles. Scarce comparables mean more research, and may require additional fees.
- Other kinds of appraisal. Total loss, stated value, loss of use and lease termination appraisals are quoted after we review your situation.
- Court work. Depositions and testimony are separate services with their own fees. See attorney and expert-witness services.
We quote the fee for your vehicle during the claim review, before you decide.
When and how you pay
- Appraisal fees are paid before the report is delivered.
- A $10 processing fee is added to credit-card payments.
- You may cancel an appraisal at any time before you receive it. A $75 cancellation fee applies, and any refund is issued after the cancellation fee is paid.
Why the fee is flat
Report fees are not contingent on any value shown in the report. That matters for the report’s credibility. An appraiser whose pay rises with the figure has a reason to inflate it, and an insurer can say so. A flat fee means the number is only the number.
What is free
The claim review is free: we look at your situation and tell you whether an appraisal is likely to help. The appraisal itself is a paid report.
Diminished-value appraisals may also qualify for our Conditional Money-Back Guarantee. Conditions and state exclusions apply, so read the full terms before ordering.
Is the fee recoverable from the insurer?
Sometimes an insurer reimburses the cost of an appraisal as part of a settlement, and you can ask for it in your demand. Nothing requires it in most situations, so treat the fee as your own cost when you decide. Whether that cost makes sense for your claim is covered in is a diminished value appraisal worth it?
How long it takes
Reports are typically 24–48 hours after all required information is received. The how it works page lists what to send.
Common questions
Is the claim review really free?
Yes. We look at your vehicle, the damage and the claim and tell you whether an appraisal is likely to help. The appraisal itself is a paid report.
Do you take a percentage of my settlement?
No. The fee is flat and is not contingent on the value in the report or on what the insurer pays.
Does the fee change with the value of my vehicle?
A typical diminished-value appraisal is $250–$350. Exotic vehicles may require additional fees. We quote your fee during the claim review.
Keep reading
More from the appraisal guide
Decide
Is a diminished value appraisal worth it?
Compare the likely loss with the fee, and know when to skip it.
Decide
Independent appraisal vs the insurer’s diminished value offer
How the insurer got its number, and five questions to ask before accepting.
Decide
Can you document diminished value yourself?
How to build your own evidence, where it falls short, and when to pay.
Not sure whether an appraisal will help?
The claim review is free: we look at your situation and tell you whether an appraisal is likely to help. The appraisal itself is a paid report. We help from start to finish, including a custom demand letter, and our support staff is a phone call away throughout the process.