Vehicle appraisers in Seattle area?

[PantsDants]

Long story short: Got rear-ended, completely not my fault, and I'm pursuing a diminished value claim. I need my car appraised to prove that yes, Geico, my car's value was negatively impacted due to the accident, thanks.

I was thinking about running around to dealers and seeing if they would give me appraisals as a trade-in, but I figure they might not bite if I'm not actually planning on buying a car. So now I'm looking for a reputable independent appraiser or one of those online services, but it's hard to tell which ones are actually legit. Any recommendations? I've got time til I get my car back and can actively pursue this anyway, just trying to get my ducks in a row now. Thanks!

[Djratrap]

1110 N. 140th
Seattle, WA 98133
206-362-2835

Future Forensics

This was the company All state hired when my car was appraised. They charge about 425-450 but you can usually include it in the diminished value claim. Ask geico if they'll cover it(tends to vary). What I would do is get an offer first then go to an appraiser and get an estimate to see if it's worth the extra appraisal. Sometimes the insurance will offer a decent diminished value w/o the need of a third party.

[PantsDants]

Originally Posted by Djratrap

1110 N. 140th
Seattle, WA 98133
206-362-2835

Future Forensics

This was the company All state hired when my car was appraised. They charge about 425-450 but you can usually include it in the diminished value claim. Ask geico if they'll cover it(tends to vary). What I would do is get an offer first then go to an appraiser and get an estimate to see if it's worth the extra appraisal. Sometimes the insurance will offer a decent diminished value w/o the need of a third party.

Geico won't even talk to me about $$$ until I get the car appraised, so I'm gambling that whatever the appraiser comes up with will actually be more than $400. Their official stance is "if the repairs are performed perfectly, which they will be, the value of your vehicle is not negatively impacted".

...at least, that's what they tell you to start with. But then they go on to say that they'll review diminished value claims on a case by case basis if you ask enough times.

[bodayguy]

Thanks to CarFax, the value of your vehicle is most certainly affected (trust me; a harmless fender bender cost me about $1500 on my trade in). Good luck.

[PantsDants]

Just wanted to follow up on this: It worked.

My experience was pretty straight forward. I sent a letter into Geico via their claims site expressing I wanted to open a diminishment of value claim. Claims guy called to tell me to get an appraisal done. Got that through Future Forensics and sent it over. Claims dude called me up today with an offer that was just a bit under what the appraiser came up with so I took it. Now I have to get a release form notarized and take that to one of Geico's shops in the area and pick up the check.

[Djratrap]

Nice

[BRZPDX]

time for boost