If your specialty vehicle total loss valuations are based primarily on finding a comparable year, make, and model vehicles for sale, you could be overpaying your claims by tens of thousands of dollars; yes, tens of thousands of dollars.
A recent search on truckpaper.com for a 2014 Cascadia 125 Sleeper showed trucks for sale from $24,900 to $59,900 or a variance of $35,000! Likewise, a search on rvtrader.com for a 2015 Thor Palazzo motor home ranged from $85,000 to $125,000 or a $40,000 difference. These are only a few examples of the wide variances in prices when considering just the year, make, and model.
That’s why DCI Solution’s Valu-Rite® System and our Valu-Verification™ process is so critical in achieving an accurate market valuation.
Each valuation request begins with our Valu-Verification™ process. This process encompasses an in-depth review of photographs, VIN decode data, and other pertinent documentation. It may also include direct phone and email communications with the owner, insured, manufacturer, and dealers in order to obtain and verify all equipment, specifications, options, upgrades, and refurbishments which may affect the market valuation.
This process is performed not only on the loss or vehicle being valued but the comparable vehicles as well.
Each DCI Solution Valuator is required to complete a certification program so that they fully understand the factors which do affect the value, what is a fair comparison, and how to accurately determine the market valuation. Our Valu-Rite® system adjusts for variances between the Loss vehicle and the Comparison vehicles using historical and industry data, again providing a consistent and accurate valuation.
“Specialty vehicles are a lot different than standard autos”, states Darren DiMaria, Chief Client Officer, “hence the name”. With trucks, you have to factor in engine size, axle ratings, sleeper size, aerodynamics, and what is on the back end of the truck. That’s much more to consider than just a year, make, and model. Same holds true for the various other types of specialty vehicles such as Recreational Vehicles, Buses, Custom Motorcycles, Heavy Equipment, and so on.
There are so many variables to account for, which could add up to tens of thousands of dollar, that’s why our Valu-Verification™ process is so important. That’s one more reason to use the experts at DCI Solution…because Value is more than just a number.
