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 appraisal research plus up to 2 hours of appointed-appraiser work at $149/hour. Free appraisal consultation — and you pay nothing unless we get you at least $1,000 more. Our average is $3,260 more. No charge upfront — we pre-authorize your card only after reviewing your consultation and agreeing to take the engagement.
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.