A total loss offer isn't automatically wrong, and it isn't automatically right either. Before you sign anything, here's exactly what's worth reviewing — in plain terms, without assuming the worst about your insurer.
Confirm the report matches your actual vehicle exactly, including trim level. A mismatched trim is one of the most common sources of an inaccurate valuation.
Check that the mileage used matches your vehicle's actual mileage at the time of loss, not an estimate or a rounded figure.
Confirm any factory packages, upgraded trim, or documented aftermarket additions are reflected. These are frequently left off unless you specifically point them out.
Review the condition grade assigned to your vehicle. If it doesn't match your vehicle's actual pre-loss condition, that's worth raising.
Look at each comparable vehicle listed — same trim, similar mileage, similar condition? Comparables that don't genuinely match your vehicle can skew the number in either direction.
Check where the comparable vehicles are actually located. Listings pulled from a different regional market may not reflect what your vehicle would actually sell for locally.
If your vehicle had unrelated prior damage, confirm it's being handled appropriately and isn't being used to justify a broader deduction than it should.
Request the full valuation report, not just the summary letter. A summary alone often doesn't show the individual comparable listings or adjustments applied.
Depending on your policy and circumstances, sales tax or title/registration fees may factor into a proper settlement. Confirm how these are being handled.
Review what your specific policy says about total loss valuation and settlement. Policy language varies, and the details matter.
None of this means your insurer's offer is wrong. It means the offer is worth verifying before you accept it — the same way you'd check any other significant financial document before signing. If something doesn't add up after going through this list, that's when an independent review is worth getting.
Send us your insurer's offer and we'll tell you plainly whether it holds up — free initial review, flat-fee pricing if you move forward.
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