Sacramento sees its share of extreme weather. Heavy snow, rain, ice, and winds can make for dangerous driving conditions. If you were involved in a car accident in California, repairing your vehicle will likely require a property damage appraisal. But what can you expect from the appraisal process? Let’s examine the steps for getting an appraisal and how the insurance company may handle it.
What is the First Step in a Damage Appraisal?
If your vehicle was damaged in an accident, your first step should be notifying your insurance company of the crash. Most auto insurance providers require policyholders to report accidents within a certain number of days. If you fail to take this crucial step, you could lose your right to claim compensation. 
If the other driver hasn’t reported the crash to their insurance company already, you may want to notify the insurer yourself. If you’re unsure what to say to the insurance companies, it’s best to speak with a knowledgeable car accident attorney first or allow your lawyer to handle all third-party communications on your behalf.
Who is Responsible for Handling the Appraisal?
When an insurance company is liable for vehicle repairs, it must cover damage costs up to the car’s fair market value or the insurance policy limits. To determine how much compensation you deserve, insurance companies work with professional auto damage appraisers who evaluate damaged cars and estimate the potential cost of repairs.
Unfortunately, insurance companies sometimes neglect to consider certain valuation factors or refuse to compensate victims fairly. If this happens to you, a third-party appraiser can examine your vehicle and provide a second opinion. If a second appraiser assigns your car a greater value, you can use their estimate as a powerful negotiating tool.
Steps the Insurance Company Takes During an Appraisal
Once the appraiser determines the extent of the vehicle damage and how much repairs will cost, they communicate this information to the insurance company. Then, the insurance company will review the damage estimate and decide whether to pay for the repairs.
In some cases, the insurance company may decide the cost of repairing your vehicle is more than the car is worth (usually if repair costs are more than 50 to 75 percent of the vehicle’s fair market value). If this occurs, the insurance company may declare the vehicle a “total loss” or “totaled” and simply pay the car’s actual cash value so you can purchase a replacement.
What Happens After I Receive My Appraisal?
If the insurance company agrees to pay for your repairs or provide a fair payout, you can accept their offer and move on. However, if you disagree with their decision, you can counter their assessment with the help of a knowledgeable attorney. A lawyer can research the actual value of your vehicle and demand the compensation you need to be made whole.
Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer Today
In addition to filing personal injury claims for car accident victims, the lawyers at Demas Law Group, P.C. can also assist with negotiating a fair property damage settlement for your vehicle. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Sacramento car accident attorney.
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