1. State-Licensed Appraisers or Adjusters (Real Credential)
A state license is a government-issued professional credential that requires:
- Background checks
- Verified experience or training
- Continuing education
- Compliance with state laws and regulations
- The ability to be disciplined for misconduct
This is a regulated profession, not something you can just pay for.
When an appraiser or adjuster has a state license, it demonstrates:
- Accountability
- Legal responsibility
- Formal training
- Regulatory oversight
- Professional legitimacy
This is why St. Lucie Appraisal’s state licensing across multiple states is such a major credibility advantage.
2. “Certified Appraisers” (Private Organizations You Pay Annually — No Oversight)
Most “certified appraiser” credentials come from private, for-profit companies such as:
- IADA
- ASA
- IACP
- IAAA
- BOCAA
- AdjusterPro
- ASCAA
- NAAA
- I-CAR
- AVDI
These certifications:
- Are not government regulated
- Have no background checks
- Have no enforceable legal standards
- Usually require only a yearly fee
- Have no continuing education requirements
- Do not verify real-world market competence
- Do not remove members for biased, incomplete, or poor appraisal work
This is why relying on “certified appraisers” leads to so many low-quality DV reports.
Why St. Lucie Appraisal Is Different
- State-licensed appraisers and/or adjusters in multiple states
Not private “certifications,” but real regulated credentials. - Over 40 years in business (since 1981)
Long-term history is another legitimacy indicator. - Real research
They call six dealerships in the customer’s actual market to confirm their opinion — not formulas, multipliers, or algorithms. - They do NOT work for insurers
No conflict of interest. - Strong reviews across multiple platforms
Not fake or paid reviews.
Why This Matters for Diminished Value
When negotiating diminished value, insurance companies look for weaknesses in an appraiser’s credibility.
A report from a “certified” appraiser with no regulatory license is easy for insurers to dismiss.
But a report from a state-licensed appraiser or adjuster is far more authoritative, defensible, and difficult for insurers to undermine.
Click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
Before making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@stlucieappraisal.net TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
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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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