Frequently asked questions

Comparable vehicles are the primary input in any total-loss valuation. Poor comparables — vehicles with higher mileage, different trim levels, or missing factory options — produce lower valuations. Every comparable in your insurer's report can be reviewed and challenged if it does not accurately represent your vehicle.

Insurers use third-party valuation platforms that select comparable vehicles from local listings and recent sales. The platform applies adjustments for differences between the comparables and your vehicle. You have the right to request the comparable vehicles used and challenge any that do not accurately represent your car.

When local comparables are scarce, the valuation must draw from a wider geographic area or use older sales data — both of which require careful adjustment to remain accurate. Thin markets are more prone to valuation errors, which makes independent review more valuable, not less.

Yes. You can request the details of every comparable used in your insurer's valuation and challenge individual comparables that are a poor match for your vehicle. Common challenges include vehicles with higher mileage, different trim levels, or missing factory options.

Factory options and recent upgrades can significantly affect market value. Document them thoroughly — original sales invoice, build sheet, receipts for recent major work — so your appraiser can properly account for them. Generic valuation tools often undervalue vehicles with non-standard configurations.