Vehicle Appraisal & Insurance Valuation in Missouri

In March 2026, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance issued Bulletin 26-04 addressing vehicle valuation software used in automobile total-loss claims. The bulletin reflects the DCI's guidance on the importance of accurate, documented, and vehicle-specific condition assessments in total-loss valuations.

Bulletin 26-04 addresses concerns about valuation practices including: arbitrary or undocumented condition adjustments; missing vehicle-specific factors; duplicative deductions; failure to account for options and upgrades; and inaccurate vehicle condition assessments.

Bulletin 26-04 is regulator guidance — it addresses the importance of accurate, documented, and vehicle-specific assessments. The bulletin does not characterize valuation software itself as improper, nor does it establish that any particular insurer's valuation is incorrect. It sets out the DCI's expectations for how condition assessments should be conducted and documented.

ACV in Missouri is the fair market value of the vehicle immediately before the loss. Missouri's regulated claims framework addresses the use of comparable vehicles, market evidence, condition adjustments, mileage adjustments, and equipment differences in establishing ACV.

An independent appraisal can examine the same evidence — comparable vehicles, market data, condition, mileage, options and equipment — and develop an objective opinion of value. Depending on the evidence, an independent appraisal may produce a value that is higher, lower, or similar to the insurer's valuation.

Missouri does not establish a universal statutory automobile Right of Appraisal independent of policy provisions. If the applicable policy contains an appraisal clause, that contractual provision governs the availability and procedure of the appraisal process for disputes about the amount of a loss.

Whether a Missouri automobile insurance claim supports a diminished-value recovery depends on the applicable policy, the type of claim (first-party or third-party), and the facts of the case. Questions about legal entitlement should be directed to a qualified attorney in Missouri.