Total-Loss Counter-Valuation Worksheet (Template)
A structured worksheet you can fill out with current dealer listings and adjustment math to build a documented counter-valuation. Most insurance disputes succeed when the counter-offer is grounded in evidence rather than feelings.
When to use this template
Use after you have received the insurer's full valuation report and identified at least 3-5 current dealer listings within 50-100 miles of your zip code that match your vehicle's year/make/model/trim and similar mileage and condition.
The interactive form below is the same playbook we run for clients — given away free. If you'd rather we just do it (counter-valuation, letters, negotiation), our service is $199 for the valuation report plus $149/hour for research and negotiation, capped at 2 hours. Our clients average $3,260 in additional settlement value, and we only proceed when we believe we can secure at least $1,000 more — no charge upfront, and if we agree to be your appraiser and can't deliver that minimum, you pay nothing.
What this involves, honestly
This is the worksheet that wins or loses an appraisal. A defensible version is 5-10 adjusted comparables and a per-line rebuttal of the carrier's report. We're publishing the format because it works — fill it in carefully and you'll have a real artifact. It is, however, hours of work; the comparable-research and adjustment fields are where most of the time goes.
Fill it in
Saved automatically as you type. The preview below updates live.
[YEAR]Your vehicle's model year (e.g. 2020).
[MAKE]Vehicle make (e.g. Toyota).
[MODEL]Vehicle model (e.g. Camry).
[TRIM]Moderate• 10-20 min via VIN decodeTrim level (e.g. XLE V6).
[MILEAGE]Mileage at time of loss (e.g. 42500).
[ZIP]Your home ZIP code.
[INSURER OFFER]Dollar amount of the insurer's most recent offer.
[INSURER VENDOR]CCC ONE / Mitchell WorkCenter / Audatex Autosource.
Live preview
Loading…Anything still wrapped in [BRACKETS] you haven't filled in yet — that's how you can spot what's left.
============================================================== TOTAL LOSS COUNTER-VALUATION WORKSHEET ============================================================== VEHICLE ------- Year/Make/Model/Trim: [YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] [TRIM] Mileage at loss: [MILEAGE] ZIP / market: [ZIP] Insurer's offer: $[INSURER OFFER] Insurer's vendor: [INSURER VENDOR] COMPARABLE VEHICLES (5 minimum, within 50-100 miles) ---------------------------------------------------- Capture URL, asking price, mileage, trim, and listing date for each. Comp #1 Source URL: ____________________________________________ Asking price: $______________ Mileage: ______________ Trim / equipment: ____________________________________________ Listing date: ______________ Distance from me: ______ miles Comp #2 Source URL: ____________________________________________ Asking price: $______________ Mileage: ______________ Trim / equipment: ____________________________________________ Listing date: ______________ Distance from me: ______ miles Comp #3 Source URL: ____________________________________________ Asking price: $______________ Mileage: ______________ Trim / equipment: ____________________________________________ Listing date: ______________ Distance from me: ______ miles Comp #4 Source URL: ____________________________________________ Asking price: $______________ Mileage: ______________ Trim / equipment: ____________________________________________ Listing date: ______________ Distance from me: ______ miles Comp #5 Source URL: ____________________________________________ Asking price: $______________ Mileage: ______________ Trim / equipment: ____________________________________________ Listing date: ______________ Distance from me: ______ miles PER-COMPARABLE ADJUSTMENTS -------------------------- For each comparable, compute (vs. your vehicle): Mileage adjustment ($/mile, typically $0.05-$0.15) Condition adjustment (positive if your car is better) Equipment adjustment (positive for options yours has, comp lacks) The adjusted price = asking price +/- adjustments. REVISED ACV CALCULATION ----------------------- Adjusted price comp #1: $______________ Adjusted price comp #2: $______________ Adjusted price comp #3: $______________ Adjusted price comp #4: $______________ Adjusted price comp #5: $______________ Average adjusted price: $______________ <-- YOUR COUNTER OFFER Insurer's offer: $______________ Gap: $______________ FACTORY OPTIONS AUDIT --------------------- Pull your VIN through the NHTSA vPIC decoder (https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/Decoder). List every factory option below; check whether the insurer credited it. [ ] Premium audio [ ] Navigation [ ] Sunroof / moonroof [ ] Leather [ ] Heated / cooled seats [ ] Towing package [ ] Safety / driver-assist package [ ] Trim-package upgrade [ ] Other: __________________________ [ ] Other: __________________________ [ ] Other: __________________________ Missed options total estimated value: $______________ RED FLAGS IN INSURER REPORT --------------------------- [ ] Comparables outside 50-mile radius [ ] Comparables older than 90 days [ ] Mileage adjustment math incorrect [ ] Condition graded too low (Average / Good when Very Good warranted) [ ] Typical-negotiation discount applied (5-7% deduction from comps) [ ] Factory options not credited [ ] Aftermarket equipment not credited [ ] Recent major service / new tires not credited DOCUMENTATION ATTACHMENTS ------------------------- [ ] Photos of vehicle (interior, exterior, dashboard with mileage) [ ] Window sticker / Monroney label (if available) [ ] VIN decoder printout (NHTSA vPIC) [ ] Recent service records / receipts [ ] Comparable listing screenshots / URLs NEXT STEPS ---------- [ ] Submit this counter to insurer in writing with 5-7 day deadline [ ] Request itemized response if rejected [ ] Escalate to supervisor if response inadequate [ ] File state insurance department complaint if no movement [ ] Invoke appraisal clause as last resort
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Counter-valuations succeed because they're boring and exhaustive. If yours is, you'll do well.