Idaho Vehicle Appraisal Resources

Idaho's total-loss vehicle valuation requirements are addressed in the Idaho Insurance Code (Title 41 of the Idaho Code) and regulations of the Idaho Department of Insurance. The Idaho Department of Insurance has authority to issue rules addressing automobile insurance claim handling standards, including total-loss settlements.

Under Idaho's regulatory framework, when a vehicle is determined to be a total loss, the insurer typically makes an Actual Cash Value (ACV) offer. ACV is generally understood as the fair market value of the vehicle immediately before the loss — the price a willing buyer would pay a willing seller — taking into account the vehicle's year, make, model, trim, mileage, condition, and options.

According to Idaho Department of Insurance guidance, after a vehicle is determined to be a total loss: the insurer will pay sales tax on the value of the vehicle; the insurer will pay title-transfer fees; and the insurer may pay the release-of-liability fee. These items are described in Idaho DOI guidance as part of what the insurer provides in connection with a total-loss settlement. This information is attributed to Idaho DOI guidance — it reflects the Department's description of standard insurer practice and is not a restatement of a specific Idaho statute or administrative regulation independently verified for this page.

Idaho DOI guidance also states that if the owner retains the vehicle after a total-loss determination, salvage value is typically deducted from the settlement amount.

When an insurer uses a computerized valuation system or third-party valuation service, the insurer must be able to support the valuation with comparable vehicles available in the relevant market area. Idaho's regulatory framework requires that insurers handle claims in good faith and provide policyholders with information supporting the valuation upon request.

The Idaho Department of Insurance states that insurance policies often contain language allowing appraisal or arbitration when there is disagreement regarding vehicle value. Whether such a provision is available in a particular claim depends on the language of the applicable insurance policy. This is a policy-dependent right — Idaho does not have a statute that mandates an appraisal clause in automobile insurance policies.

For repair-cost disagreements on a first-party claim, Idaho DOI advises reviewing the policy or asking the insurer whether the policy provides an option for resolving the dispute. The availability and scope of any appraisal or arbitration provision depends on the specific policy language.

Under a typical automobile insurance appraisal clause, when the insurer and the insured disagree on the amount of a loss, either party may demand appraisal. Each party selects a competent, independent appraiser. The two appraisers attempt to agree on the amount of the loss. If they cannot agree, they select an umpire. Any two of the three must agree for the appraisal award to be binding.

Idaho courts have addressed the scope of automobile insurance appraisal clauses. Generally, appraisal is limited to resolving disputes over the amount of a loss — it does not resolve coverage disputes or liability questions. Whether a particular dispute is subject to appraisal depends on the policy language and the nature of the dispute.

Questions about whether appraisal or arbitration is available in a specific claim should be directed to a qualified attorney familiar with Idaho insurance law.

Diminished value claims in Idaho depend on the type of claim and the applicable policy language. Idaho courts have addressed diminished value in both first-party and third-party contexts.

Third-party diminished value: Idaho courts have recognized that a vehicle owner may recover diminished value from an at-fault third party as part of the damages for negligent damage to personal property, consistent with Idaho tort law principles.

First-party diminished value: Whether diminished value is recoverable under a first-party collision or comprehensive claim depends on the language of the insured's own policy. Many standard automobile insurance policies do not expressly provide for diminished value recovery under first-party coverages. Idaho courts have generally held that first-party diminished value claims are governed by the policy language.

Questions about diminished value recovery in a specific claim should be directed to a qualified attorney familiar with Idaho insurance and tort law.

Idaho does not have a specific statute establishing licensing requirements for independent vehicle appraisers who participate in automobile insurance appraisal proceedings. Appraiser qualifications in the context of an automobile insurance appraisal are generally governed by the applicable policy language, which typically requires that each appraiser be competent and independent.

Idaho does license public adjusters under the Idaho Insurance Code (Title 41 Idaho Code). A public adjuster is not the same as an independent vehicle appraiser in the context of an automobile insurance appraisal clause. The roles and regulatory requirements are distinct.

Appraisal expenses — including the cost of each party's appraiser — are typically borne by the party who selected that appraiser. Umpire expenses are typically shared equally between the parties, as specified in the applicable policy.