B2 AppraisalsB2 Appraisals +1 (713) 489-3376

Total Loss Appraisal · Houston, TX

Your car is totaled. The offer is low. Now what?

An independent total loss appraisal shows what your car was really worth before the accident. If the insurance offer is lower than that, the report is your proof to get the difference.

Call About Your Total LossHow it works ↓
Totaled Corvette at a Houston salvage yard

In plain words

What is a total loss appraisal?

When the cost to fix your car is more than the car is worth, the insurance company calls it a total loss and offers you a check for its value. That number is often too low. A total loss appraisal is an independent, written report that shows the real market value of your exact car in Houston, based on real cars for sale. You use it to negotiate a higher payment, or to start the appraisal process written into your policy.

This is for you if

  • The insurance company declared your car a total loss
  • Their offer feels low, or you cannot replace your car for that money
  • The valuation report they sent uses cars that are not like yours
  • You want a second opinion before you sign anything

What you get

  • A written report with real comparable cars from the Houston market
  • A clear value number you can send to the adjuster
  • Help with the next step: negotiation or the appraisal clause
  • An appraiser who picks up the phone and explains it

How It Works

Four simple steps

Most total loss appraisals are done remotely. You do not need to bring the car anywhere.

1

Call us

Tell us what happened and what the insurance offered. We tell you straight if it is worth fighting. The call is free.

2

Send the details

VIN, mileage, photos, the insurance valuation and any records you have. If the car needs to be seen in person, we come to you.

3

We do the research

We find real cars like yours for sale in Houston and Texas: same year, trim, options and miles. We adjust for condition and write the report.

4

You use the report

Send it to the adjuster with a short letter. If they still refuse, invoke the appraisal clause in your policy. We guide you the whole way.

Your rights in Texas

What Texas law gives you

Most people do not know this. The insurance company will not tell you.

The first offer is not final

You do not have to accept the first number. You can ask for the full valuation report, question the cars they used, and send your own evidence.

The appraisal clause

Texas personal auto policies include an appraisal clause. Under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1813, policies issued or renewed from January 1, 2026 must have one. You pick an appraiser, the insurer picks one, and if they disagree an umpire decides.

Sales tax and fees

In Texas the total loss payment should also cover sales tax and title and registration fees for a replacement car. Ask for an itemized breakdown and check that they are in it.

You can take your time

Do not let a "this offer expires" line rush you. Rental or storage limits are real, so act quickly, but you have the right to review the numbers first.

This is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your specific policy or a lawsuit, talk to an attorney.

Why offers come in low

Where insurance valuations go wrong

The valuation software is built to be fast, not fair. We see the same problems again and again.

  • Wrong comparable carsCars from other states, lower trims, or cars with far more miles than yours.
  • Missing optionsPackages, upgraded wheels, tow package, premium sound. Every option that is skipped lowers your number.
  • Condition marked downYour car gets rated "average" even if it was kept in great shape with full service records.
  • Hidden deductionsAdjustments buried in the report that cut hundreds or thousands with no real explanation.
Get a Second Opinion
Totaled Corvette Stingray, rear damage
Total Loss · Corvette Stingray
+$9,200more than the insurance offered
Insurance offered$61,200
With our appraisal$70,400

Cost

A flat fee. No percentage of your settlement.

We quote the fee up front on the free call. If we do not think the report will help you, we say so.

  • One flat fee, quoted before we startNo surprises and no cut of your payout.
  • The fee is quoted before we startYou know the cost before you say yes.
  • The report is yours to keepUse it with the adjuster, in the appraisal process, or in court.

FAQ

Total loss questions, answered

How does the insurance company decide my car is a total loss?
In Texas, a car is usually a total loss when the cost to repair it is more than its actual cash value. The insurer then offers to pay you the value of the car instead of fixing it.
What is actual cash value (ACV)?
Actual cash value is what your car was worth on the market the moment before the accident. It is not what you paid for it and not what you owe on it. It is what a buyer in Houston would have paid for your exact car, in its condition, with its miles.
The insurance valuation report looks official. Can it really be wrong?
Yes. The reports come from software that pulls comparable cars automatically. It often uses cars from other states, lower trims, or higher mileage, and applies condition and "typical" adjustments that are hard to see. An independent appraisal checks every line.
Do I have to accept the first offer?
No. The first offer is a starting point. You can ask for the full valuation report, send your own evidence, and negotiate. If that fails, you can invoke the appraisal clause in your policy.
What is the appraisal clause and how does it work?
It is a section in your auto policy for settling value disputes without a lawsuit. You hire an independent appraiser, the insurance company hires theirs, and the two try to agree. If they cannot, a neutral umpire decides. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1813 requires this clause in personal auto policies issued or renewed from January 1, 2026.
Does the total loss payment include sales tax?
In Texas the settlement should include sales tax and title and registration fees for a replacement vehicle. Ask for an itemized settlement and check that these are included.
Can you do the appraisal without seeing the car?
Usually yes. Most total loss appraisals are done from photos, the VIN, mileage, service records and the insurance valuation. If the car is in a salvage yard in the Houston area and an inspection would help, we can go see it.
How long does it take?
Most remote total loss reports are completed within a few business days. We give you a realistic timeline on the first call.
What if I still owe money on the car?
The insurer pays the actual cash value regardless of your loan. If the value is less than you owe, GAP coverage (if you have it) covers the difference. A higher appraised value means a smaller gap, so the report helps here too.
How much does a total loss appraisal cost in Houston?
It is a flat fee, quoted up front on the free call. There is no percentage of your settlement. Call +1 (713) 489-3376 for an exact quote.

Not quite your situation?

Other ways we help

Repaired, not totaled?

Diminished Value

Your car was fixed after a crash that was not your fault. It is worth less now, and the at-fault insurer owes you that difference.

Learn more →Need one solid number?

Fair Market Value

A certified value for a sale, a dispute, an estate, a divorce, a donation or agreed value insurance.

Learn more →Something else?

More Services

Classic and custom cars, motorcycles, boats, heavy trucks, equipment, court and estate work.

Learn more →

Free Call · No Pressure

Do not sign the total loss offer yet.

One free call. We look at the offer with you and tell you if it is worth fighting.

+1 (713) 489-3376
Call Now. It's Free.
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