Expert: Ron Cercone - 9/16/2009

Question
My vehicle was a total loss. I've checked with autotrader.com to see what my car is worth. Autotrader.com goes by the amount of cars they have for sale like mine and averages what they are selling for. Problem is, they only have one car like mine and it doesn't say if it has any options. My car has quite a few options and I want to make sure I'm getting what the car is worth. How can I find out the true value? Also, I live in a small town that doesn't even have a traffic light, so should I be entering the next door town zip code where I bought the car?

Answer
Hello Q,

You won't get a true valuation of your vehicle on the internet with autotrader or Kelly or NADA books online versions. But go to your local public library or law library, which has the print versions of Kelly and or NADA books. Now if you want to know what a simple "traditional" vehicle appraisal on 1 sheet of paper should look like, go to the automobile total loss products at UClaim.com. And if you want to know how to maximize your total loss auto claim, consider the other products at UClaim.com. The eBooks are on sale at 50% off with a money back guarantee.

Yes, use the nearest large city that the online versions will recognize