How does the insurance appraisal process work?

The insurance appraisal process for a custom motorcycle moves through document review, physical inspection, market analysis, and a formal written report your insurer can use for scheduling coverage, resolving a claim, or settling a total loss.

Here's what actually happens at each stage:

• Document review: Our appraisers request the title, maintenance records, and receipts for any custom parts, upgrades, or restoration work. This paperwork supports the final valuation and helps justify modifications that add value.
• Physical inspection: The appraiser examines the motorcycle's make, model, year, mileage, condition, originality, and any custom fabrication or mechanical work.
• Market research: Because custom and modified bikes often don't fit neatly into standard pricing guides, our appraisers compare your motorcycle against comparable sales and current market demand rather than relying on a single valuation tool.
• Report delivery: You receive a USPAP-compliant appraisal report that documents the methodology, supports your valuation, and gives your insurer a defensible basis for scheduling coverage or settling a claim.

If your appraisal is tied to a claim dispute rather than a pre-policy valuation, your insurer may require a separate appraisal process outlined in your policy, where each side names an appraiser and, if they disagree, an umpire resolves the final value. Our role is to provide the independent, standards-compliant valuation your side of that process needs.

Before starting, we confirm the scope of your motorcycle and provide a fixed fee, so there are no surprises once the appraisal is underway. For more on what our appraisers examine during inspection, see what does an insurance appraiser look for, and if timing is a concern, how long does an insurance appraisal take covers what affects your timeline.