If you’re car has been involved in an accident and it’s possible to repair it, you will likely ant to have a diminished value appraisal Maine done. This is because the vehicle, even with the best repairs, will never have the same value that it had prior to the accident. You may be entitled to some type of compensation based on the diminished value, especially if you have an appraisal to back you up. Here are some tips that will help you find the right appraiser for the job.
Confirm That the Appraiser is Certified
Certification is a must if you want an insurance provider to take you seriously. When someone with the right type of experience and credentials assesses the vehicle, there is less room to argue that the claim amount is spurious.
Keep in mind that not everyone who offers auto appraisals actually has certification. For this reason, it’s up to you to ask. When the response is in the affirmative, feel free to proceed. If there’s any dancing around an answer or the answer happens to be no, the best move is to seek out another appraiser.
Ask If The Appraiser Will Examine the Vehicle
This may seem like an odd question to ask, but there are appraisers who work off photographs and other data rather than examining the vehicle itself. While those approaches can be find in some instances, they may not be ideal for what you have in mind.
A better approach is to hire an appraiser who will inspect the actual vehicle, making notes and taking images along the way. The result is a detailed appraisal that’s backed up with the evidence that the appraiser collected during the inspection. You can bet that will carry more weight if you end up having to take the matter to court.
Find Out What Sort of Formula is Used to Determine the Diminished Value
While the basics of diminished value are agreed upon, the exact formula that one appraiser uses to arrive at that value may be different from the criteria used by a different appraiser. In order to make sure you are comfortable with how the process works, talk with the appraiser and find out exactly what elements are included.
This will help you to understand how the information found in the diminished value appraisal Maine came to be. Assuming you find the formula to be comprehensive and tends to include everything you think should be considered, the search for an appraiser may be over.
Determine if the Appraisal Report Will Be in Compliance With USPAP
Ultimately, you want a report that you can use as the basis for filing a diminished value claim with the insurance provider. You also want that report to be something you can use in court if it comes to that. One of the best ways to ensure the report will work in all settings is to confirm that it will be prepared in compliance with what’s known as the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
Be aware that not all appraisers make use of this format. Even so, it’s widely accepted and could help make things easier for you. If at all possible, hire an appraiser who will ensure the report is in compliance with USPAP.
Remember your goal is to obtain an appraisal that’s based in information that can be verified with ease. Choosing the appraiser carefully is the first step toward achieving this goal. With a little luck, you will soon have a document that helps you recoup more of the loss that you sustained as a result of the accident.
