Insurance companies use proprietary software to systematically undervalue total loss vehicles, diminished value, and loss of use. Most drivers never know — and never recover what they're owed.
Most drivers don't know these claims exist — let alone that they're fully recoverable without an attorney.
No attorney needed. No obligation. Under 3 minutes.
Answer a few questions and we'll calculate your underpayment estimate, then match you with the right specialist — free.
Select all that apply — you may have more than one type of claim.
Tell us about your vehicle.
We'll use this to look up your vehicle's actual market value and compare it to what the insurer offered.
Used to find comparable sales in your local market.
Tell us about your claim.
Fill in only the sections that match your situation. We'll calculate your estimate for each one.
The amount on your settlement letter or check.
KBB.com → Retail Value (what a dealer charges), or Edmunds.com → True Market Value. California law requires the insurer to pay what it costs you to replace the vehicle — not the lower private-party resale figure. Leave blank if you don't have it yet.
Use KBB.com → Retail Value, or Edmunds.com → True Market Value — the dealer retail price for your vehicle in its pre-accident condition. This is the correct base for the 17c formula; private-party value understates your loss.
From the repair shop invoice. We use this to automatically determine the damage severity for the formula.
Count from the accident date to when your car was returned, replaced, or you gave up waiting.
Look up the current walk-up rate at Hertz, Enterprise, or Avis for a vehicle comparable to yours. Use the retail rate — not a member discount or pre-negotiated rate. This is the legally correct measure of your loss.
Optional but helpful — documents the basis for your daily rate if the insurer disputes it.
Almost done — where should we send your results?
We'll email your full claim estimate and, if it's worth pursuing, match you with the right specialist in your area — a total loss appraiser, a diminished value appraiser, or both.
We'll send your estimate here. We never spam or sell your data.
Only used if a specialist needs to reach you directly.
Here's a summary of what you may be owed based on the information you provided.
We've sent your estimate to your email. A Claimerly advisor will reach out within 1 business day to match you with the right appraiser — at no cost to you.
How the Appraiser Match Works →All estimates are based on industry data, the 17c formula, and the information you provided. They are not a guarantee of recovery. Individual results depend on vehicle specifics, insurer, policy language, and applicable law. Claimerly is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The 17c formula result is a conservative floor estimate — professional market-based appraisals typically yield higher figures.
Insurance companies use proprietary valuation tools to generate lowball offers. Without independent expertise, most consumers accept whatever they're offered.
Active Lawsuit: In May 2024, the Alameda County District Attorney filed suit against USAA, Progressive, CCC Intelligent Solutions, and Mitchell International, alleging their software was deliberately configured to produce lower vehicle values than the publicly available versions. If you settled a total loss claim between 2020–2024, you may be affected.
Insurer runs a CCC ONE or Audatex report using a version configured to produce below-market values.
Arbitrary "condition adjustments" applied downward — often without physically inspecting the vehicle.
The offer is presented as "objective market data" — most consumers have no idea it's challengeable.
Attorneys won't take small cases. Without help, most consumers accept the lowball offer and lose thousands.
Tell us about your vehicle, the insurer's offer, and which claim types apply. Our form asks the right questions for each scenario.
We calculate your underpayment using real market values from KBB/Edmunds, the 17c formula for DV, and California rental rate data for loss of use.
We connect you with the right specialist — a total loss appraiser, a DV appraiser, or both — matched to your specific claim type. Free to you.
Your specialist invokes the appraisal clause or CDI mediation. Most cases resolve in 2–4 weeks without an attorney.
Subscribe to the tier that matches your specialty — Diminished Value, Total Loss / Appraisal Clause, or both. Flat monthly fee, no per-lead charges.
We match consumers to appraisers by claim type and service area. You only receive leads that match your subscription tier and expertise.
Consumers arrive with complete documentation. Use our demand letter templates, CDI mediation tools, and appraisal clause process guides.
Earn verified reviews, grow your profile, and receive referrals through the CDI Automobile Mediation Program partnership.
Most drivers don't know these claims exist — let alone that they're recoverable.
When your car is totaled, insurers use CCC ONE or Audatex to generate a value — often thousands below true market value. California law requires real comparable sales. We check whether they complied.
After a repair, your car is worth less than before the accident because of its history report. You can claim this from the at-fault driver's insurer — but virtually nobody does because nobody tells them it exists.
When the other driver is at fault, their insurer owes you for every day you were without a vehicle — whether or not you rented a car. Fault, repair time, and which insurer you're claiming from all affect your rights.
Pre-screened consumers arrive knowing they were underpaid — with complete documentation ready. Choose the tier that matches your specialty.
All tiers include founding member pricing locked for 12 months. Leads are matched exclusively by claim type — DV subscribers receive only DV leads, TL subscribers receive only TL/loss of use leads. Founding member spots are limited per service area.
Claimerly complements — not replaces — the California Department of Insurance and its Automobile Claims Mediation Program.
We help consumers arrive with organized, complete documentation — reducing resolution time and improving outcomes for everyone.
Our valuation methodology mirrors the specific standards California law requires of insurers — giving consumers a clear, documented basis for any dispute.
Aggregated, anonymized claim data helps identify systematic underpayment patterns — supporting CDI's market conduct examination capability.
The CDI's Automobile Claims Mediation Program gives consumers a formal, free pathway to dispute unfair settlements. Claimerly helps consumers arrive prepared.
Visit CDI Mediation Program →Claimerly is an independent consumer tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by the California Department of Insurance.
Typical outcomes through the appraisal clause process and independent appraisal.
"USAA offered me $11,200 for my totaled Accord. After invoking the appraisal clause with help from Claimerly, I settled at $14,800. Three weeks start to finish."
"I didn't know diminished value existed. My car had a perfect repair but a Carfax entry. Claimerly matched me with a DV specialist and I got $4,200 from the at-fault insurer. Plus $900 for the 17 days I was without my car."
"Progressive's offer was $6,400 below three dealership quotes. The total loss appraiser Claimerly matched me with sorted it in two weeks. I wish I'd known about this years ago."
* Stories represent typical outcomes. Individual results vary.
Yes, completely. Claim check, estimate, and appraiser matching are all free. Independent appraisers subscribe to the platform — you pay nothing.
Depending on when you settled and what you signed, you may still have options — particularly within the last 2–4 years with an insurer named in the Alameda DA lawsuit.
They require different skills. Total loss appraisers specialize in establishing current market value through comparable sales. DV specialists focus on stigma loss and often use dealer-survey methodology. We match you to the right expertise for your claim type.
Yes — when the other driver was at fault, their insurer owes you compensation for every day you were without your vehicle, whether or not you rented. The key question is fault, not whether you rented.
Not for total loss or diminished value. The appraisal clause process is a contractual right that doesn't require litigation. Claimerly connects you with a licensed independent appraiser, not an attorney — keeping it fast and free for you.
Currently California, where the regulatory framework, active DA enforcement, and CDI Mediation Program create the clearest consumer pathway. Expansion to additional states is planned.
When the other driver was at fault, their insurer owes you for every day you were without your vehicle — whether or not you rented. Fill in the fields below and we'll generate a properly formatted demand letter you can send directly to the adjuster.
Loss of use is a straightforward damages calculation — days without your vehicle multiplied by the retail cost to rent a comparable replacement. California law entitles you to this compensation regardless of whether you actually rented a car. This letter documents your claim using the correct legal standard (retail rental rates, not the insurer's contracted fleet rates) and gives the adjuster 30 days to respond before escalation.
Letter updates live as you type. All fields optional except those marked *.
Adjust if you have an actual quote. The letter will cite this rate as the retail market standard.
The letter will cite this company's published rate as support for the daily figure. Attach a screenshot of their quote.
Start filling in the form on the left and your demand letter will appear here.
Claimerly provides this template for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Review the letter carefully before sending, and consult an attorney if you have questions about your specific situation.
Under 3 minutes. Free. No obligation. Average recovery: $3,800.
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