Where This Fits in the Claim Process
When you’ve already sent an appraisal report and the offer stays low, you’re typically in the evaluation/negotiation stage. The insurer is signaling either (a) it disputes the inputs (condition, options, prior damage, comparable vehicles, repair quality), (b) it disputes the method used by the appraiser, or (c) it is treating the report as one piece of evidence rather than a decision-maker.
Practical Steps That Usually Help
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Get the insurer to commit to a written explanation.
Ask the adjuster to identify, in writing, exactly what they disagree with in the appraisal report (comps, condition adjustments, mileage, prior repairs, salvage value, labor rates, parts type, etc.) and what documents they relied on. A clear explanation often exposes the real dispute and prevents the goalposts from moving later.
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Pin down the “right number” issue: value, scope, or both.
Many valuation fights are really about scope (what repairs are needed) or condition (pre-loss wear, prior damage). If the insurer is disputing scope, you may need supporting materials like additional photos, a supplement from the repair facility, or a more detailed breakdown from your appraiser.
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Ask for the insurer’s valuation packet and compare line-by-line.
Request the valuation report the insurer used (and the comparable vehicles/adjustments). Then compare it to your appraisal report. The most productive negotiations usually happen when both sides are discussing the same variables, not just two different bottom-line numbers.
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Use a structured “last chance” demand with a deadline and a paper trail.
Send a short written demand that (a) attaches the appraisal report and key supporting documents, (b) lists the specific disputes you want answered, and (c) asks for a response by a reasonable date. Keep it factual and consistent. This is less about threats and more about building a clean record of what was provided and what was ignored.
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Escalate within the claim handling chain (politely, in writing).
If the adjuster won’t engage, request review by a supervisor or a more senior handler. Escalation works best when you provide a one-page summary: your number, their number, the gap, and the 3–5 reasons your evidence supports your number.
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Be careful with “invoking the policy’s appraisal clause.”
An appraisal clause is typically a first-party policy tool (your own insurer) and is not automatically available in a third-party claim against someone else’s insurer. Whether appraisal applies—and how it must be demanded—depends on the policy language and the type of coverage involved. Your attorney can review the policy and confirm whether appraisal is a real option or a dead end in your situation.
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Consider the litigation track when negotiation stalls.
If the dispute is with the at-fault driver (and their insurer won’t pay what you believe is owed), the traditional way to force movement is filing a lawsuit against the at-fault party and proving damages in court. For smaller property-only disputes, small claims court may be an option depending on the amount in controversy and the relief requested.
North Carolina defines a “small claim action” by statute, including an amount-in-controversy cap. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-210.
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Keep property damage settlement paperwork narrowly written if injuries are also in play.
If there are injury issues from the same crash, be cautious about signing documents that could be read as releasing more than property damage. North Carolina has a statute addressing how property damage settlements relate to other claims arising from the same collision. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-540.2.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming your appraisal report is automatically binding. In many claims, it is persuasive evidence, not a final decision.
- Arguing only the bottom-line number. Valuation disputes usually turn on inputs (condition, comps, adjustments, scope).
- Sending inconsistent explanations. Inconsistencies can be used to discount your position.
- Signing broad releases to “get the check.” Make sure the paperwork matches what you intend to settle.
How This Applies
Apply to your facts: You’ve already provided an appraiser’s report and the carrier’s offer remains far below it, which usually means the insurer disputes the report’s assumptions or is relying on a different valuation method. The most effective next step is often a written request that forces the insurer to identify the specific reasons it is rejecting your valuation, followed by a targeted supplement (photos, comps, repair documentation) addressing those exact points. If appraisal under a policy clause is being considered, your attorney should first confirm whether this is a first-party policy right and whether the policy’s appraisal procedure has been properly triggered.
Conclusion
If an adjuster won’t increase the offer after receiving your appraisal report, the goal is to turn a vague “no” into a specific, documented dispute you can answer with evidence—or, when appropriate, move the matter into a formal resolution path. In Durham and across North Carolina, that usually means tightening the valuation proof, escalating for review, and confirming whether appraisal is actually available under the policy language. The next step is to have a North Carolina attorney review the claim posture and put the dispute in writing in a way that preserves your options.
