Vehicle Appraisal FAQ

Question 1

How much does a certified vehicle appraisal cost?

Accepted Answer

Online certified appraisals start at $149 and are delivered the same day you submit your photos and vehicle details. In-person appraisals vary by market — call or text for a quote. Pre-purchase inspections start at $349.

Question 2

How long does an online appraisal take?

Accepted Answer

Most online appraisals are delivered the same day you submit. We review your photos, research comparable sales, and deliver a signed, certified report — typically within a few hours of receiving complete information.

Question 3

Are your appraisals accepted by Hagerty and State Farm?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our certified appraisals are accepted by Hagerty, State Farm, Farm Bureau, American Collectors Insurance, and all major carriers. Banks and credit unions also accept our reports for loan collateral and refinancing.

Question 4

Are your appraisals USPAP compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every report is prepared in substantial conformity with USPAP Standards 7 and 8 — the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice governing personal property appraisals. The signed certification page is included with every report.

Question 5

Can I use an online appraisal for insurance, a bank loan, or estate purposes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our online appraisal is the same certified report regardless of purpose — insurance agreed value, bank loan collateral, estate and probate, IRS charitable donation (Form 8283), divorce proceedings, or resale documentation. The report is formatted for your stated purpose.

Question 6

What vehicles do you appraise?

Accepted Answer

We appraise classic cars, modern vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, RVs, boats, farm equipment, and construction equipment — all 50 states and Guam. If it has a title or a VIN, we can appraise it.

Question 7

What is the difference between an appraisal and a pre-purchase inspection?

Accepted Answer

An appraisal establishes a certified dollar value — used for insurance, loans, estate, or legal purposes. A pre-purchase inspection is a physical condition report — a 365-point in-person examination that tells you whether to buy, walk, or renegotiate before you wire a deposit. Many buyers order both.

Question 8

My insurance company lowballed my total loss claim. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We invoke the appraisal clause in your policy, build a certified value file, and serve as your independent appraiser throughout the dispute process. We offer a money-back guarantee — if we don't improve your settlement, you don't pay. Contact us before you accept any offer.

Question 9

How do I submit vehicle photos for an online appraisal?

Accepted Answer

Visit the online appraisal form at americanclassicappraisals.com/online-appraisal and upload your photos directly. We need a minimum of 20 photos: all four exterior corners, both sides, front and rear straight-on, engine bay with hood open, trunk or cargo area, odometer reading, interior front and rear, dashboard, VIN plate on the dash, door jamb tag, and any known damage or modifications. Higher-resolution photos produce a more accurate appraisal. If you have documentation — window sticker, build sheet, title, service records — include scans of those as well. Most smartphones produce photos that work perfectly.

Question 10

What is a USPAP-compliant auto appraisal?

Accepted Answer

USPAP stands for Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice — the nationally recognized ethical and performance standards that govern professional appraisers in the United States. A USPAP-compliant auto appraisal means the appraiser followed Standards 7 and 8, which cover personal property appraisals including vehicles. The report must include a clear statement of the appraisal problem, the scope of work, the methodology used, the appraiser's qualifications, a signed certification, and a limiting conditions statement. USPAP compliance is required by the IRS for charitable donation deductions over $5,000, by most courts for litigation use, and by many insurance carriers for agreed-value policies. Every appraisal from American Classic Appraisals is prepared in substantial conformity with USPAP and includes a signed certification page.

Question 11

What photos do I need for a classic car appraisal?

Accepted Answer

For a classic car appraisal, submit at least 20 photos: all four exterior corners (front-left, front-right, rear-left, rear-right), both full sides, straight-on front and rear, engine bay with hood open, undercarriage if accessible, trunk floor and spare tire well, full interior front and rear, dashboard and gauges, odometer, VIN plate on the dash, door jamb tag, and any damage, rust, or modifications. For matching-numbers cars, also photograph the engine stamp, transmission tag, and any build documentation you have. More photos always produce a better appraisal — there is no upper limit.

Question 12

How does a certified appraisal differ from a Kelley Blue Book or Hagerty valuation?

Accepted Answer

Kelley Blue Book and Hagerty are price guides — they provide a value range for a generic vehicle in a given condition category based on aggregated market data. A certified appraisal is a professional opinion of value for your specific vehicle, prepared by a credentialed appraiser, documented with comparable sales, signed and certified, and legally defensible. Price guides are useful reference tools but are not accepted by courts, the IRS, or most insurance carriers as a substitute for a certified appraisal. A certified appraisal also accounts for factors a guide cannot — matching numbers, documented originality, rare options, provenance, and current local market conditions.

Question 13

What is an agreed value insurance policy and why do I need an appraisal for it?

Accepted Answer

An agreed value policy is a type of collector vehicle insurance where you and the insurer agree in advance on the vehicle's value — and that is exactly what gets paid in the event of a total loss, with no depreciation and no negotiation. Standard auto insurance pays actual cash value, which is typically far less than what a collector car is worth. To set an agreed value, most carriers require a certified appraisal from a qualified appraiser. Without one, the insurer sets the value — and it is almost always lower than market. A certified appraisal ensures your agreed value reflects what the car would actually sell for, protecting your full investment.

Question 14

Can I get a vehicle appraisal without an in-person inspection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our online appraisal is a fully certified, USPAP-compliant report based on your submitted photos, vehicle details, and documentation — no in-person visit required. The vast majority of our appraisals are completed online, and they are accepted by insurance carriers, banks, courts, and the IRS for all standard purposes. An in-person inspection is available for high-value vehicles, pre-purchase inspections, or situations where a physical examination strengthens the report. For most appraisal purposes — insurance, estate, bank loan, IRS donation — the online process is sufficient.

Question 15

What is fair market value and how is it determined for a classic car?

Accepted Answer

Fair market value is the price at which a vehicle would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither under compulsion to buy or sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. For a classic car, fair market value is determined by researching recent comparable sales — auction results, dealer transactions, and private sales for similar vehicles in similar condition — and adjusting for the specific car's condition, originality, documentation, options, and provenance. It is not the same as retail replacement value (what a dealer would charge), insurance replacement cost, or a price guide estimate. Fair market value is the standard used by the IRS, probate courts, and most legal proceedings.

Question 16

How do I use an appraisal to dispute a low insurance settlement?

Accepted Answer

If your insurance company has offered a total loss settlement you believe is too low, do not accept it before contacting us. Most auto insurance policies contain an appraisal clause that allows you to invoke an independent appraisal process when you disagree with the insurer's valuation. We serve as your independent appraiser, build a certified value file with comparable sales data, and negotiate on your behalf. If the two appraisals disagree, an umpire resolves the dispute. We offer a money-back guarantee on total loss disputes — if we do not improve your settlement, you owe us nothing. The process works for classic cars, collector vehicles, and standard vehicles.

Question 17

What credentials should a vehicle appraiser have?

Accepted Answer

A qualified vehicle appraiser should hold a recognized professional designation — such as ASCAA (American Society of Certified Auto Appraisers) certification — and should prepare reports in conformity with USPAP Standards 7 and 8. For IRS purposes, the appraiser must meet the definition of a 'qualified appraiser' under Treasury Regulation §1.170A-17, which requires a recognized designation or verifiable education and experience, regular performance of appraisals for compensation, and no disqualifying relationship to the transaction. Shawn Owens holds ASCAA certification (ASCAA-CERT-4246), has been appraising vehicles since 1993, and prepares every report in substantial conformity with USPAP.

Question 18

How long is a certified vehicle appraisal valid?

Accepted Answer

A certified appraisal reflects the vehicle's value as of its effective date — the date the appraisal was completed. For insurance purposes, most carriers accept appraisals that are one to three years old, though some require updates more frequently for high-value vehicles. For IRS charitable donation purposes, the appraisal must be completed no earlier than 60 days before the donation date. For estate and probate, the appraisal should reflect the date-of-death value. For bank loans and refinancing, lenders typically want an appraisal dated within the past 12 months. If your appraisal is approaching its expiration for your carrier or purpose, contact us for an update — updates are typically faster and less expensive than a new appraisal.

Common Appraisal Questions

How the Appraisal Process Works

Model-Specific FAQ Pages

Corvette Appraisal FAQ

Mustang Appraisal FAQ

Camaro Appraisal FAQ

Porsche Appraisal FAQ

Harley-Davidson Appraisal FAQ

Indian Motorcycle Appraisal FAQ

Triumph Motorcycle Appraisal FAQ

Truck & Diesel Appraisal FAQ

RV & Boat Appraisal FAQ

Farm & Equipment Appraisal FAQ

Daily Driver & Modern Vehicle FAQ

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