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Higher Valuations. Lower Loss Severity.

Westlake Financial averages a 25%+ ACV increase on disputed total loss claims.

  • Our appraisers work to reach fair market value for your borrower's total loss
  • Touchless for your team
  • A licensed independent appraiser handles everything end to end

The Recovery Tool Already in Your Borrower's Policy

In most auto policies, the appraisal clause gives either party the right to challenge the insurer's ACV determination. Invoking this provision through a licensed independent appraiser is increasingly the standard practice for reducing deficiency balances and GAP claims.

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Totalloss.com Actual Cash Value

Estimated Actual Cash Value

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Enter VIN or select Year, Make Model Trim

25%+

Average ACV increase. Westlake Financial proved it at scale.

Westlake Financial, which manages $24 billion in assets and serves borrowers through 50,000 dealerships nationwide, built total loss ACV recovery into their institutional workflow. The result was a documented 25%+ average increase in total loss claim values across their portfolio. Independent research analyzing 1,246 auto insurance claims found that invoking the appraisal clause increased total loss valuations by an average of $3,889, a 26% increase over the carrier's initial offer.*

*Westlake Financial case study via Salient (trysalient.com/resources/westlake, Nov 2025). Independent appraisal data via Texas Watch (texaswatch.org, Mar 2023). Individual results vary. See footer for full disclosure.

Engagement Options

Flat-fee pricing. No contingency fees. Serving auto lenders nationwide.

Pilot Program

Built for institutions evaluating the program before committing to volume.

  • Back-testing of past total loss claims
  • Case study available on request
  • Independent ACV review on active claims
  • No volume commitment required
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Portfolio Program

Built for lenders with recurring total loss volume.

  • Volume flat-fee pricing
  • Dedicated claim intake workflow
  • Priority turnaround
  • Portfolio-level reporting
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The Recovery Process

A touchless process that fits into your existing total loss workflow.

Connect the Borrower

Your team flags an undervalued total loss and connects the borrower with TotalLoss.com. No claim intake or paperwork on the lender's side.

Appraisal Clause Invoked

The borrower formally invokes the appraisal clause with their carrier. We guide the borrower throughout the process. Once invoked, TotalLoss.com serves as the borrower's designated independent appraiser.

Appraisal Process

Our licensed appraiser completes a fair market valuation and collaborates with the carrier's appointed appraiser to reach a binding fair market value.

New Valuation Reached

New fair market value documented on carrier records. Deficiency balance reduced. GAP exposure reduced. Charge-off reduced. Process typically resolves in 3 to 14 days.

See the potential impact on your loss severity.

Schedule a 30-minute call to discuss your portfolio. No commitment.

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1-833-TOTALED

Case Studies

A sample of agreed actual cash values reached after invoking the appraisal clause.

Vehicle
Insurance ACV
Agreed ACV
$ Increase
% Increase
2018 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus
$11,390
$15,500
+$4,110
+36%
2011 Honda Insight Base
$6,983
$13,878
+$6,895
+99%
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
$11,177
$14,279
+$3,102
+28%
2021 RAM 1500 Tradesman
$15,714
$20,972
+$5,258
+33%
2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
$20,875
$31,500
+$10,625
+51%
2020 Lexus RX 350 Luxury
$29,692
$33,150
+$3,458
+12%
2013 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crew Cab
$29,821
$37,339
+$7,518
+25%
2002 Chevy Suburban 2500 LS
$6,008
$11,253
+$5,245
+87%
2018 Honda Pilot
$19,881
$21,670
+$1,789
+9%
2022 Toyota Avalon XLE
$19,360
$22,000
+$2,640
+14%
2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range
$29,358
$36,233
+$6,875
+23%
2022 Chevy Malibu 1LT
$14,627
$19,692
+$5,065
+35%
2024 Audi Q7 Premium Plus
$40,619
$44,500
+$3,881
+10%
2020 Toyota Camry LE Hybrid
$23,813
$26,000
+$2,187
+9%

Appraisal Clause Excerpts

Verbatim text from each carrier's standard auto policy.

State Farm
Personal Auto Policy 9813/9810 series · Physical Damage Coverages
"If we and you do not agree on the amount of loss, either party may demand an appraisal. In this event, each party will select a competent, impartial appraiser. The two appraisers will select a competent, impartial umpire. The appraisers will state separately the actual cash value and the amount of loss. If they fail to agree, they will submit their differences to the umpire."
GEICO
Auto Policy · Section III Physical Damage Coverages
"If we and you do not agree on the amount of loss, either may, within 60 days after proof of loss is filed, demand an appraisal of the loss. In that event, we and you will each select a competent appraiser. The two appraisers will select a competent and disinterested umpire. The appraisers will state separately the actual cash value and the amount of the loss."
Progressive
Auto Policy · Part IV Damage to a Vehicle
"If we and you cannot agree on the amount of loss, either party may demand an appraisal as described in this section. In this event, each party will select a competent appraiser. The two appraisers will select a competent and impartial umpire. The appraisers will state separately the actual cash value and the amount of loss. A decision agreed to by any two will be binding."

Why Carrier Valuations Run Low

  • Selection of lower-priced comparable vehicles
  • Prior accident or salvage history found in selected comparables
  • Below average or average condition ratings applied
  • Excessive deductions and adjustments throughout the report
  • Adjuster errors, missing factory options, and incorrect calculations

How the Appraisal Clause Works

  • Overrides the carrier's valuation with a binding agreed value through collaboration
  • Available in the vast majority of personal auto insurance policies
  • Standard provision used for decades in the auto insurance industry
  • Increasingly mandated by state statute (Texas, Washington, and Rhode Island enacted in 2025)
  • 9 out of 10 carrier valuations we review show opportunity for a higher actual cash value
  • Resolution typically within 3 to 14 days

The Total Loss Severity Trend

Total loss frequency hit a new industry record in 2025 and is projected to continue climbing through 2027 as repair costs outpace ACV growth.

Q4 2025 total loss frequency, all-time high Source: Copart Q2 2026 Earnings Call
average ACV recovery, documented at scale Source: Westlake Financial / Salient (Nov 2025)
average per-claim valuation increase via appraisal Source: Texas Watch (1,246-claim study)
U.S. average vehicle age, record high Source: S&P Global Mobility (May 2025)
YoY auto parts inflation on collision repairs Source: CCC Crash Course Q4 2025

U.S. Total Loss Frequency, 2022 to 2027 Projection

Percent of collision claims that became total losses, with 2026 to 2027 projection range based on industry consensus drivers.
27% 24% 21% 18% 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Projected historical | projected 20.7% 18.0% 22.1% 23.1% Q4 '25 · 24.2% ~24.7%* ~25.5%*

Historical sources: 2022 (20.7%) and 2023 (18.0%) from Mitchell Industry Trends. 2024 (22.1%) from CCC Crash Course Q4 2024. 2025 (23.1%) from CCC Crash Course 2026. Q4 2025 (24.2%) from Copart Q2 2026 Earnings Call (Feb 19, 2026).

*Projection methodology: 2026 and 2027 figures extrapolated from the 2024 to 2025 trend (+1.0 percentage point/year), adjusted for the elevated Q4 2025 reading of 24.2%. Underlying drivers per industry consensus: parts inflation +6.6% YoY (CCC Q4 2025); labor inflation +2.9% YoY (Mitchell); ACV growth limited to ~2% YoY (Manheim/Cox Automotive); ADAS calibration frequency +30% YoY growth; Section 232 auto parts tariffs adding $20 to $50 per repair (Reuters); record U.S. vehicle fleet age of 12.8 years (S&P Global Mobility). Direct Copart CEO Jeff Liaw commentary on Feb 19, 2026 earnings call: "we expect total loss frequency to continue its upward trend due to factors like vehicle complexity and repair costs." Range reflects macroeconomic uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Operational and legal answers for institutional lenders and GAP administrators.

TotalLoss.com is a multi-state licensed appraisal firm focused on performance, accuracy, and customer service. We meet appraiser licensing requirements in every state where we conduct appraisals. We produce complete, authoritative, defensible appraisals and defend them when collaborating with opposing appraisers. Our insurance industry experience gives us inside knowledge of how carrier claims operations function, an advantage we leverage on every claim.

After connecting the borrower with TotalLoss.com, we walk the borrower through the appraisal clause process. Once an independent appraiser is assigned, we handle the rest.

The appraisal clause language used by major carriers requires that each party appoint a competent and disinterested appraiser. Disinterested means the appraiser cannot have a financial stake in the outcome, which is why contingency-fee appraisers were disqualified by the Florida Supreme Court in State Farm v. Parrish (2023). Competent means qualified by training, experience, and applicable state licensing. TotalLoss.com works exclusively on a flat-fee basis and holds the licenses required in states with strict appraiser regulation.

Most appraisals resolve in 3 to 14 days from invocation. Carrier assignment of an independent appraiser is the primary variable. Once both appraisers are engaged, the process is touchless for the lender. The borrower invokes the appraisal clause, and we deliver results.

Yes. The appraisal clause is a standard provision in the vast majority of personal auto insurance policies across the United States. Several states have recently enacted legislation making the clause mandatory by statute, including Texas SB 458, Washington SB 5721, and Rhode Island H 6054. Active legislation is pending in Illinois, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and South Carolina, indicating sustained regulatory momentum.

Call 1-833-TOTALED (1-833-868-2533) to discuss your portfolio or pilot program. You can also use the Schedule a Review button on this page to set up a 30-minute consultation. No commitment required.

Decrease loss severity. Reduce charge-offs.

Schedule a 30-minute call to discuss your portfolio. No commitment.

Schedule a Review
Or call
1-833-TOTALED