The factors that move a collector car's value, how condition is judged and what an appraiser needs from you.
Collector car values are set by what buyers actually pay. An appraiser looks for recent sales of the same model and year, from auctions, dealers and private sales, and then adjusts for the differences between those cars and yours. Price guides can be a useful reference, but they cover broad averages, and in the collector market the differences between two cars of the same model can be very large.
Appraisers and the industry use condition scales that run from show-quality or concours cars at the top, through excellent and good driver-quality cars, to cars needing work. Scales differ, so ask which one a figure is based on. Two cars that both look good in a photo can be in very different categories once paint, panel fit, underside, interior and mechanicals are looked at closely, which is why detailed photos matter so much. See our guide on online appraisals for what to photograph.
The same car can have several values depending on the purpose. Fair market value is what a willing buyer and seller would agree on. For insurance, you may want an agreed value or a replacement value. For a donation, an estate or a divorce, the type of value and the effective date are set by the situation. Tell us the reason when you order, so the report concludes the right one. A second value conclusion can be added for +$95.
A Collector & Classic appraisal starts at $595 as a Virtual Appraisal, and $795 as an On-Site Appraisal. Exotic makes and higher-value cars are priced a level up. The exact flat price is shown before you pay, and it never depends on the value we conclude. The report is delivered within 72 hours (business days) of receiving your complete details. For a rare or very high-value car, an on-site inspection can be worth it. See how much a car appraisal costs.
Not always. Photos and records are enough to establish a market value for many collector cars. If condition is difficult to judge from photos, or the car is rare or very valuable, an on-site inspection is the safer choice.
It depends on the quality, the correctness and the model. A restoration usually costs more than it adds, and a high-quality restoration of a desirable car can be worth a lot. Original, well-preserved cars can sometimes be worth more than restored ones.
Many owners do it annually, especially for insurance. An annual update for the same vehicle within 12 months is 50% of the original Virtual price.
Not necessarily. An appraisal concludes a specific type of value, such as fair market value. The price you get in a sale depends on the venue, the timing and the buyer.
Yes, it is commonly used to set an agreed value. See how to get agreed value insurance on a collector car.
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Aprazio is not a law firm or an insurance adjuster, and rules and deadlines vary by state and by policy. Check your own policy and your state's rules, and speak with an attorney if you need legal advice.
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