Pro-Image FAQ

Q: Why should I have my car appraised, I know what it is worth?

A: An appraisal will aid in a dispute between you and someone else, i.e. Insurance Co. Court of Law etc. And in some cases you may be surprised of the actual value!

Q: Insurance Co. will always want to lo-ball on a cars value?

A: Sure, because in most cases they do not deal with classic cars, they do not know the market, industry or what goes into a classic ride.

Q: How do I find a qualified appraiser?

A: Well first try and find someone other then your neighbor, restoration shop or dealer!! The internet is one place, yellow pages, or at a car show event! Be very leery of someone offering to appraise your car without looking at it. You want someone to inspect your car personally. (Very Important). There are deals on the internet that will appraise your car for as low as 10.00, you fill out the form and send in your credit card info and days later you get a form you filled out with a value…hummmm!

Q: The appraiser came out to look at my car, walked around it, scribbled some things down on a piece of paper, handed it to me and left.

A: A professional appraisal should be typed and in most cases have pictures included, hand written appraisals are subjective and can be altered! Always ask the appraiser how the final appraisal will be, typed or hand written?

NOTE: Always ask an appraiser what their credentials are. Make sure they know what kind of car you have and need appraised. (Disclaimer, I have not appraised every car ever built, so there may be 1 or 2 that I haven’t.)

Q: I just picked up my car! And the insurance agent said he would come by and take some pictures and I would be covered?

A: Did the insurance agent look under the car i.e. frame or underbody? Did the insurance agent ask what kind of rear-end or gears it had? How about the paint brand? These may be important if your car was in an accident and you needed to explain to the other person’s claims agent? Did the insurance agent tell you how much you could insure for? In some cases it’s not even close to what you paid for it or what it may be worth? (I get this a lot, usually after the car is totaled and there is a dispute).

Q: I have a heavily modified car, how would the appraiser determine the value?

A: Research, written & photo documentation, a list of items added to the car, i.e. build sheet, knowledge of the marketplace & products.

Q: What kind of insurance should I have on my classic car?

A: You should have either “Agreed Value” or “Stated Value” only. You should NOT have "Actual Cash Value". Check with your agent and make double sure of what you have!!!

Q: I have found a car on the internet! The pictures and description show it is exactly what I am looking for. Should I have it inspected before I bid or buy?

A: In the world of classic and collectible cars there are always the ones that ruin it for everybody else!! What if you the person taking the pictures forgot to take a picture of the rust under the rear trunk area? Or didn’t mention that the engine smoked alittle…hummmm. For a few hundred bucks have someone look at it. If you do find a car somewhere and would like me to help you find a qualified appraiser to inspect, send me an email at the address below.