Licensed Appraiser

Ralph Mureti

Ralph Mureti is a licensed appraiser at Appraisal Engine, the independent vehicle appraisal firm behind My Total Loss Appraisal. He writes about how insurers value totaled vehicles and how owners can dispute a low offer.

Valuation ReportsOctober 29, 20267 min read

7 valuation errors that lower your total loss payout

A wrong trim, mileage reading or comparable can lower a total loss offer. Here are seven errors to look for in the valuation report, the proof that fixes each one, and how to send it.
Total Loss BasicsOctober 27, 20267 min read

KBB vs. insurance value: why the numbers don’t match

Kelley Blue Book and your insurer measure different things. Here are five reasons the numbers differ, which KBB value to compare, and how to tell if your offer is too low.
Disputing a Low OfferOctober 22, 20267 min read

The appraisal clause: your policy’s built-in second opinion

Many auto policies let you settle a dispute over your car’s value with your own appraiser and a neutral umpire. Here is how the appraisal clause works, what it costs and when to use it.
Valuation ReportsOctober 15, 20268 min read

How to read a CCC valuation report: 8 checks for errors

A section-by-section tour of the valuation report your insurer sends, with the eight checks that catch most errors in it.
Valuation ReportsOctober 13, 20267 min read

How is total loss value calculated? The 5 steps insurers use

Insurers don’t pull your car’s value from a price guide. They build it from comparable listings and a chain of adjustments. Here is each step, with a worked example.
Disputing a Low OfferOctober 8, 20268 min read

Insurance total loss offer too low? 7 steps before you accept

You don’t have to take the insurer’s first number. Here’s how to check the valuation, what to send back, and when an independent appraisal makes sense.