Insurance Claim Damage Assessment & Appraisal
Evaluate vehicle damage, calculate ACV, and generate legally defensible insurance appraisal reports
What You Can Do
Conduct structured damage inspections that document all loss mechanisms, calculate Actual Cash Value using multiple valuation approaches, determine repair versus total loss thresholds with clear justification, and generate appraisal reports that satisfy both carrier and claimant requirements. You'll identify hidden or secondary damage to prevent coverage disputes and produce valuations that withstand insured party scrutiny and potential litigation across collision, theft, comprehensive, and hail loss types.
Features
documents all loss mechanisms and hidden damage with consistent methodology
applies market, cost, and income approaches for defensible valuations
establishes clear mathematical thresholds based on carrier guidelines and jurisdiction
identifies market comps with adjustments for mileage, condition, and regional factors
handles collision, theft, comprehensive, and hail damage with peril-specific evaluation
builds clear rationale for coverage decisions and denial support
identifies recoverable losses and third-party liability indicators
addresses aging fleet and non-standard vehicles with limited comparables
Example Output
Sample Damage Assessment Summary:
- Vehicle: 2019 Honda Accord EX, 45,200 miles
- Damage: Rear-end collision, trunk lid crushed, frame bent 2.1 inches
- Estimated repair: $8,400
- ACV (three-approach average): $18,650
- Recommendation: Authorize repair — repair cost 45% of ACV (below 70% threshold)
Sample Total Loss Calculation:
- Vehicle: 2016 Toyota Corolla, 89,000 miles
- Pre-loss ACV: $11,200 (NADA guide $10,800 + regional adj. +3.7%)
- Damage estimate: $9,100 (frame, suspension, drivetrain)
- Salvage value: $3,500 (parts/scrap estimate)
- Actual loss: $6,600
- Recommendation: Authorize repair — loss 59% of ACV
- If frame damage extent discovered: Total loss if repair reaches $8,000+ (71% threshold)
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with structured appraisal methodology:
- Damage Assessment Checklist: systematic inspection template covering structural, mechanical, interior, and hidden damage
- ACV Calculation Worksheet: three-approach valuation with comparable vehicle research template
- Repair vs. Total Loss Decision Matrix: threshold calculator with jurisdiction-specific guidelines
- Appraisal Report Template: carrier-compliant format with justification sections and photo documentation guide
Who It's For
- Insurance appraisers and independent adjusters handling damage assessment and total loss determination
- Claims managers needing defensible valuations for coverage decisions and dispute resolution
- Automotive dealers and body shop estimators supporting insurance claim disputes
- Insurance carriers' loss prevention specialists evaluating claim severity and reserve adequacy
- Subrogation specialists identifying recoverable losses and third-party liability potential
Best For
- First notice of loss (FNOL) triage to determine claim urgency and inspection priority
- Physical damage inspection and documentation for collision, theft, comprehensive, and hail claims
- Total loss determination when repair costs approach or exceed vehicle actual cash value
- Disputed valuations requiring comparable market research and mathematical justification
- Complex multi-mechanism losses (flood damage + collision, hail damage pattern assessment) requiring systematic analysis
- Coverage denial justification and pre-existing damage documentation
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