Vehicle Appraisal & Insurance Valuation in West Virginia

W. Va. Code §33-6-33 is West Virginia's primary statute governing automobile total-loss valuation. The statute addresses the use of the most recent Insurance Commissioner-approved official used-car guide as a guide for establishing the minimum value in applicable total-loss settlements.

The statute also addresses applicable consumer sales tax in the total-loss settlement context. The specific wording and scope of §33-6-33 govern the applicable requirements.

An independent appraisal can examine the available evidence — including the applicable used-car guide, comparable vehicles, and market data — and develop an objective opinion of value.

W. Va. Code §17A-4-10 contains a 75% concept in West Virginia's salvage-title framework. This provision governs when a vehicle must be titled as salvage under West Virginia's title framework.

The 75% concept in §17A-4-10 is a salvage-title classification rule — it is not a universal insurer total-loss threshold. Claims-settlement value under §33-6-33 and salvage-title classification under §17A-4-10 are separate frameworks. The salvage-title provision does not automatically control every insurer's economic total-loss determination.

West Virginia appraisal is policy-dependent unless another current authority establishes otherwise. 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.