Mark Franzen, Author at Appraisal Engine Inc https://appraisalengine.com/author/markfranzenae/ Vehicle Appraisal Experts - Total Loss and Diminished Value Mon, 25 May 2026 16:51:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://appraisalengine.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-AE-Icon-PNG-32x32.png Mark Franzen, Author at Appraisal Engine Inc https://appraisalengine.com/author/markfranzenae/ 32 32 Nearly-New Car Depreciation Is Accelerating: What the $11,275 Price Gap Means for Your Vehicle’s Value https://appraisalengine.com/company/nearly-new-car-depreciation-appraisal-impact/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nearly-new-car-depreciation-appraisal-impact Mon, 25 May 2026 16:45:39 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=28322 Edmunds data shows a record $11,275 gap between 2025 used and 2026 new vehicles. Learn how accelerated nearly-new car depreciation affects your ACV, your insurance settlement, and your diminished value claim.

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]]> The “Purchase Price” Myth: Why Insurance Adjusters Are Wrong About Actual Cash Value https://appraisalengine.com/company/purchase-price-myth-actual-cash-value-insurance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=purchase-price-myth-actual-cash-value-insurance Fri, 22 May 2026 21:30:20 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=28296 Imagine spending weeks hunting for a classic car. You find one listed for $20,000, negotiate hard, and walk away with it for $15,000 cash. On day one driving it home, a catastrophic pothole structurally totals the vehicle. An independent certified appraisal establishes the pre-loss market value at $17,000. Then the adjuster delivers this verdict: “We […]

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]]> Used Vehicle Depreciation in 2026: What the Numbers Mean for Your Car’s Value https://appraisalengine.com/company/used-vehicle-depreciation-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=used-vehicle-depreciation-2026 Wed, 20 May 2026 19:31:40 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=28276 Used vehicle depreciation returned to near-normal rates in 2026, but values remain structurally elevated and the market is fragmenting by segment. Here's what the data means for your car's value, your insurance settlement, and why a generic estimate is more likely than ever to leave money on the table.

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]]> The March 2026 Used Commercial Truck Market: What February’s Pullback Means for Owners https://appraisalengine.com/appraiser-blog/used-commercial-truck-values-march-update/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=used-commercial-truck-values-march-update Fri, 01 May 2026 12:47:46 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=28202 February 2026 brought softer used commercial truck prices across every channel, with auction volume nearly tripling month over month. Full data breakdown covering retail, wholesale, and auction selling prices, volume trends, and retail inventory metrics, with analysis of what it means for owners with active claims or pending appraisals.

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]]> The Growing Gap Between Real Market Prices and Insurance Valuations in 2026 https://appraisalengine.com/company/market-vs-insurance-value-gap-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=market-vs-insurance-value-gap-2026 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:31:33 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=28041 Insurance valuations do not always reflect real market prices in 2026. Learn why this gap exists and how it affects your vehicle’s value after an accident.

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]]> Why Insurance Valuations Often Undervalue Your Vehicle After an Accident https://appraisalengine.com/company/insurance-valuation-undervalue-vehicle-accident/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=insurance-valuation-undervalue-vehicle-accident Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:06:06 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=28020 Insurance valuations often underestimate your vehicle’s real market value after an accident. Learn how these systems work and how to avoid low settlement offers.

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]]> The 2026 Auto Market Reality: Why Vehicle Values, Insurance Claims, and Appraisals Matter More Than Ever https://appraisalengine.com/company/2026-auto-market-trends-vehicle-appraisals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2026-auto-market-trends-vehicle-appraisals Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:03:54 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=27968 The U.S. auto market is entering a new phase in 2026 as vehicle values stabilize and repair costs rise. This shift is making diminished value claims, total loss decisions, and professional vehicle appraisals more important for drivers navigating insurance settlements after accidents.

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]]> 2026 Wholesale vs Retail Pricing Gap https://appraisalengine.com/appraiser-blog/wholesale-vs-retail-pricing-gap-2026-vehicle-appraisals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wholesale-vs-retail-pricing-gap-2026-vehicle-appraisals Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:57:25 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=27938 The 2026 wholesale vs retail pricing gap affects total loss settlements and diminished value calculations. Learn how market spreads impact vehicle appraisals.

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]]> Why Electric Vehicles Are Losing Value Faster Than Expected in 2026 https://appraisalengine.com/company/electric-vehicle-depreciation-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=electric-vehicle-depreciation-2026 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:49:40 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=27911 Electric vehicle depreciation in 2026 remains higher than many traditional vehicles. Learn why EV resale values are adjusting and how this impacts appraisals and insurance claims.

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]]> 2026 Diminished Value Loss by Vehicle Segment: A Data-Driven Breakdown https://appraisalengine.com/company/diminished-value-loss-by-vehicle-segment-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=diminished-value-loss-by-vehicle-segment-2026 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:41:42 +0000 https://appraisalengine.com/?p=27896 Not all vehicles lose value the same way after an accident. In 2026, the used-car market is moving back toward historical depreciation patterns, and that shift is making diminished value losses more visible and more measurable. Buyers are once again paying closer attention to vehicle history, and accident stigma is translating into real dollar differences […]

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