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INSURANCE APPRAISERS

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Automobile, personal property and diminished value appraiser. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company.

Welcome to The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, Automobile, Personal Property and Diminished Value Appraiser in all 50 States

WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS
SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH
TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is the most highly-reviewed automobile valuation and diminished value appraiser in the country. We are a nationally-recognized and court-certified provider of Valuations and Diminished Value Appraisals for all types of Cars, Trucks and Tangible Personal Property including Private Passenger Cars, Antique and Custom Builds, Trucks, Heavy Equipment, Motorcycles, Recreational Vehicles, Mobile and Manufactured Homes, Aircraft Hangars and Total Loss Valuation Disputes. Services provided for Financing, Insurance, Estate Dissolution, Charitable Donations, Bankruptcy, Divorce, DMV and Tax Matters.
Please feel free to call 772-359-4300 with questions.

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Appraising a Motor Home for Financing, Insurance or a Charitable Donation

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The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, Automobile Appraisers in all 50 States 772-359-4300 contact@stlucieappraisal.net

Appraising a motor home or recreational vehicle for financing, insurance or a charitable donation qualifies as a necessity when requirements dictate. In addition to accuracy, an appraiser who prepares a valuation report for an RV should strive to present professional-looking documents that will impress a bank, insurance company or the IRS as being valid. There are other reasons that appraisals may be necessary such as in matters involving estates, bankruptcy, purchase & sale, damage claims or equitable distribution.

Appraising and donating a motor home, trailer or other recreational vehicle to charity is both worthwhile and financially beneficial to you. A motor home or travel trailer can enhance many lives through the service they provide. The tax deduction that is enjoyed by the donor is, of course, another good reason for considering such a gift. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company provides fair market valuation appraisals in all 50 states for many useful purposes such as estate dissolution, equitable distribution, damage claims as well as for donations. Knowledge of motor homes and recreational vehicles is one key requirement but another essential necessity that an appraiser of RVs needs is a database of past sales of comparable items. Whether the appraisal is going to the IRS, an insurance company or a magistrate, it must be documented by sources for the information contained therein. In the case of a tax deductible donation in excess of $5,000.00, you must have a written appraisal in which the appraiser will complete an IRS Form 8283 for you.

Hire an Experienced Motor Home and RV Appraiser

Due to changes in IRS reporting requirements, a motor home or recreational vehicle can no longer be appraised by the dealer where it was purchased unless the item will be donated within two months of when it was acquired. If the vehicle is worth less than $5000.00, then usually you don’t need to hire an appraiser to value it for you. Like most automobiles, motor homes and recreational vehicles can be evaluated by year, make, model and condition. Other factors that should be considered are whether RVs have been upgraded or customized.

Insuring a motor home or recreational vehicle is usually a straightforward process unless upgrades or custom work was done. Claims, however, are a different story. Obtaining a fair settlement for a wrecked, stolen or total loss RV can be a nightmare because insurance companies are far less accommodating paying claims then they are in collecting premiums. An appraisal based on real world comparables is a necessity in these cases.

Obtaining financing from a bank or credit union for the purchase of a motor home or recreational vehicle often requires the borrower to have it appraised. RVs depreciate over time so lenders are careful about financing used RVs. The Kelly Blue Book and NADA RV evaluation guides don’t address upgrades and customization. Many motor homes have been refurbished to a degree that will extend their lifespans by many years. Banks and credit unions, when searching through their guide books can’t help but fail to realize these and decline to offer adequate loans. Hiring a licensed appraiser is a means to obtaining the necessary financing.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company has provided valuation appraisals for motor homes and recreational vehicles since 1981. We are licensed appraisers and provide service in all 50 states. The cost of a fair market value appraisal depends upon the research necessary to make an accurate determination. However, with the extensive database of past sales at our disposal, we can most often provide an appraisal of a motor home or recreational vehicle for $325.00.

REQUEST AN RV VALUATION APPRAISAL – $325.00 for most RVs.

TELEPHONE (772) 359-4300

Please email photographs and other vehicle information to Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

Service throughout Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

Some manufacturers of RVs include A Liner, Aerolite, Airstream, Alfa, Aljo, Allegro, Alpenlite, Aluma-Lite, American Eagle, Arctic Fox, Asca, Avion, Beaver, Bigfoot, Born Free, Bounder, Breckenridge by Damon, Cameo by Carriage, Cardinal by Forest River, Carri-Lite, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Citation, Coachmen, Coleman, Country Coach, Crossroads RV, Cruiser RV, Damon Corporation, Discovery by Fleetwood, Dutch Star, Dutchmen, Fiesta by Fleetwood, Flagstaff, Flagstaff/Forest River, Flair-Fleetwood, Fleetwood Folding Trlrs, Forest River-California/Oregon, Four Winds, Franklin, Georgetown, Georgie Boy, Gulf Stream, Heartland RVs, Hi Lo, Holiday Rambler It, Jamboree, Jayco, Keystone RV, Kit, Komfort, Kountry Star, Lance, Layton, Mallard, Mallard by Fleetwood, Monaco, Mountain Aire, Nash, National RV, Nomad, Nu-Wa, Outback by Lite Way, Pace-Arrow, Palomino, Pilgrim International Inc, Pioneer, Pleasure-Way, Prowler, R-Vision, Rexhall, Roadtrek, Rockwood, Safari, Salem by Forest River, Sandpiper by Forest River, Shasta, Sierra by Forest River, Skamper, Southwind, Sportsmen, Starcraft, Sun-Lite, Sunline, Sunnybrook, Sunseeker by Forest River, Surveyor, Tahoe by Thor Ind, Terry, Thor Industries West, Tioga, Trail-Lite by R-Vision, Travel Supreme, Viking, Wanderer by Thor Ind, Weekend Warrior, Wildcat, Wilderness, Wildwood by Forest River and Winnebago.

TOTAL LOSSES AND THE APPRAISAL CLAUSE

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Auto Diminished Value Claims

Disputes over the values of automobiles and trucks involved in total loss claims are common. There are three points of view to consider – the car owner’s opinion, the insurance company’s opinion and the findings of an umpire who is hired when an impasse occurs. Resolution of total loss disputes by invoking what is known as The Appraisal Clause is becoming more common as insurers tighten purse strings. What is the appraisal clause? It is simply an insurance provision allowing either the insurer or the vehicle owner to demand a binding appraisal of damaged property in the event of a dispute as to its value. An independent appraiser is hired by both sides. If they can’t agree, The Appraisal Clause can be invoked by either party. One would hope that this process produces equitable settlement amounts but it doesn’t always work that way. Both retail and fair market value can be subjective. Insurance companies place certain roadblocks such as only recognizing comparable vehicles from tight geographic areas. Insurers disallow recognized sources of book values such as NADA, preferring to use the CCC valuation method which was developed for the insurance industry. Often misrepresentations of prior damage and conditioning or inadequate allowances for mileage differences occur. Even more complicated and arbitrary are Appraisal Clause proceedings involving diminished value.

If the car owner and the insurance company disagree on the value of the vehicle, either may make a written demand to invoke The Appraisal Clause. Each party will select a competent and impartial appraiser. It is preferable that both are licensed appraisers in at least one state. The two appraisers, if in disagreement over the value, will select an umpire. If the appraisers do not agree on an umpire, the matter goes to a judge of the court having jurisdiction.

In the event that The Appraisal Clause is invoked and an umpire is necessary, each party will pay its chosen appraiser and bear the expenses of the umpire equally. This means of alternative dispute resolution is designed to effectively and cost efficiently resolve disputes by avoiding the typical legal process. Arbitration, also known as mediation, acknowledges the existence of a dispute. Each party has the right to specify the credentials of the umpire. The naming of a third-party to serve as an umpire is not a selection until the other has agreed to accept him. He must be both competent and disinterested. Independent appraisers being considered as umpires that receive most of their work from insurance companies have often been considered “advocates” rather than disinterested parties and subsequently disqualified. The same would apply to independent appraisers who derive most of their work from, for example, a large automobile leasing company or network of dealerships.

In order to trigger The Appraisal Clause, both parties must be unable to agree on the value of the property or amount of the loss.The umpire should be free of undue influences and not have prior relationships with any party involved. This strengthens the expectation of good faith in the selection process. The umpire’s authority is usually limited to determining the value of the property. Issues such as coverage, liability, causation and exclusions should be determined before The Appraisal Clause in invoked. Appraisal awards are most often made by umpires who are not experts in law or the judicial process but their rulings are typically enforceable. Umpires are not free to disregard pertinent evidence lest their awards be set aside by magistrates. Both the claimant and the insurance company are bound by the obligation to exercise good faith and fair dealing in the context of The Appraisal Clause. It is not permissible for either the claimant or insurance company to engage in any tactics designed to defeat the appraisal process from its objectives. Neither party may engage in conduct designed to unreasonably postpone, delay or prevent The Appraisal Clause and the subsequent settlement.

The Appraisal Clause in total loss disputes has become the methodology of choice for resolving disputes over the values of automobiles and trucks. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is an expert in the field of valuation appraisals for all types of motor vehicles in all 50 states. Our clients are assured of competent reporting and, of course, credible participation in the arbitration and mediation process.

Additional fees you may incur are $125.00 for our representation in Appraisal Clause negotiations, and half of an umpire’s fee (Umpires typically charge from $300 – $700) if either are necessary. On average, approximately 10% of Appraisal Clause cases go to an umpire.

READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
REQUEST AN AUTOMOBILE VALUATION APPRAISAL – $275.00 for most cars.



Please eMail the insurance company CCC or other valuation report to Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

Service throughout Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi , Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

Founded by Franklin Colletta, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is a family-owned appraisal company that offers nationwide service. We provide Diminished Value Appraisals, Total Loss Valuations, and Loss of Use Reports.
This is an Open Education resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
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