What is SecondAppraisal?
SecondAppraisal is a vehicle total-loss appraisal consulting service. When your insurance company declares your vehicle a total loss, their initial offer can be lower than your vehicle's true market value. We research comparable vehicles and build a documented valuation. When we take your consultation, we serve as your appraiser under your insurance policy's appraisal clause and work with your insurer's appraiser to determine the amount of loss.
How does the process work?
It starts with a simple intake: upload your insurance company's market valuation report (the document they send showing what they think your vehicle is worth), provide your insurance details, and create an account. From there, our team analyzes the report, researches comparable vehicles in your area and prepares a detailed valuation. When you appoint us as your appraiser, we work with your insurer's appraiser to determine the amount of loss and produce the appraisal award letter. You can track every step from your personal dashboard.
What does it cost?
Your appraisal consultation is free: we start the analysis and tell you honestly whether we can help. The Appointed Appraiser Service is $495. It includes the Appraisal Research, our appointment as your appraiser under the appraisal clause of your policy, if it has one, determining the amount of loss with your insurer's appraiser, and the appraisal award letter. If a research report is all you need, Appraisal Research is $199: a written research report only. It doesn't appoint us as your appraiser. We offer the Appraisal Research on its own in your consultation. We pre-authorize your card only after we accept your consultation, so there is no upfront payment.
What if the result isn't at least $1,000 above my insurer's offer?
We review every consultation before accepting it, and accept it only when our review finds the value is likely at least $1,000 above your insurer's offer. At least $1,000 more, or your fee is waived. This applies once we accept your consultation and serve as your appraiser. The starting point is your insurer's offer on the day we accept. If the appraisal award, or a higher offer your insurer makes instead, is less than $1,000 above it, we waive our $495 Appointed Appraiser Service fee. If an umpire is needed, the umpire's fee is separate. Our results: $3,648 more than the insurer's first offer, on average, before our fee. From customers across our services whose consultations finished with a settlement on file; past results, not a promise or prediction, and not an average across all total losses.
What do I need to get started?
To get started you'll need your insurance company's market valuation report (a PDF from providers like CCC ONE, Mitchell WorkCenter, or Audatex Autosource), your insurance information (company name, claim number, and adjuster contact if available), and basic details about your vehicle. You can upload the report during intake or add it later from your dashboard.
Can I start without the valuation report?
Yes. During the intake process you can skip the report upload and create your consultation right away. You'll be able to upload the report later from your dashboard whenever you have it ready.
Can you help if the other driver's insurer is paying?
Yes, with our research. The appraisal clause is in your own policy, so we can serve as your appraiser on a claim under it, and we can tell you whether your policy has one.
What is an appraisal clause?
Most auto policies include an appraisal clause that lets either party demand an appraisal when you can't agree on the vehicle's actual cash value. Your policy's own clause sets the terms. Each side picks an appraiser, the two pick an umpire, and a decision agreed to by two of the three sets the amount, as your policy's clause provides. Not every policy has one.
How do I provide vehicle photos?
From your consultation dashboard, you can upload photos directly through your browser. If it's more convenient, we can also send you a photo upload link via text message or email that lets you snap and submit photos from your phone.
How do I communicate with SecondAppraisal during my consultation?
Your consultation dashboard includes a built-in messaging system where you can send and receive messages from our team. You'll also find a Communications page that shows all your emails, texts, and notifications in one place. We'll notify you whenever there's an update on your consultation.
How long does the process take?
Simple cases settle in 1-2 weeks. Disputed cases typically take 30-60 days. How long the appraisal takes depends on your insurer's appraiser and, if one is needed, the umpire. Your dashboard provides real-time progress tracking through every phase.
Is my information secure?
Yes. We use secure authentication options including Google Sign-In, Apple Sign-In, and email or phone one-time passwords (OTP). All data is transmitted over encrypted connections, and we follow industry best practices for protecting your personal and claim information.
Do I need an appraiser near me?
No. Our work is valuation research, built from your insurer's valuation report, your vehicle details and comparable listings from your own market, and, as your appraiser under your policy's appraisal clause, determining the amount of loss with your insurer's appraiser. There's no office visit: we work with you by phone, text, and online. We serve drivers in 41+ states; if your state requires a license we don't hold, we'll tell you in the free consultation, before you pay anything.
What are your hours, and do you speak Spanish?
Real people are here 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Mountain, 7 days a week, and se habla español. Outside those hours, Jane, our AI assistant, can help in 97 languages, and we follow up when we're back.
How do I contact support?
Email support@secondappraisal.com, or call or text (385) 218-6712. Real people answer 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Mountain, 7 days a week.
Are you the same team as KEH Consultants?
Yes. SecondAppraisal Inc was formerly KEH Consultants LLC. Jonathon A. Thomas forms every opinion of value on every SecondAppraisal consultation. Our staff and contracted team collect documents and vehicle listings under his direction. The rebrand reflects our investment in AI-powered comparable research and a modern client portal.
Will disputing my insurer's valuation hurt my rates?
Generally no, when you are not at fault. Insurance rates are set primarily by your driving record and at-fault claim history; disputing the value of an already-filed claim does not by itself raise your rates. Always verify with your specific insurer, but in our experience this is a non-issue.