Money & everyday · Negotiation Trainer
How to negotiate a total loss settlement: practice with Craig the adjuster
Ask for the insurer’s valuation report and check it for wrong mileage, trim or options, then find comparable cars for sale near you (same year, model and trim, with similar miles) to support a higher number. Counter in writing with those listings and receipts for recent repairs or new tires, ask whether the payout includes taxes and fees, and get any revised offer in writing. Practice with Craig Holden, a polite adjuster who offers $6,200 for your totaled car.
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Updated October 2026
Who it's for
Who this practice is for
- You just heard an insurance offer that feels too low for your totaled car.
- You have comparable listings but don't know how to bring them up without sounding angry.
- You need a car for work within a week and can't afford to leave money on the table.
- You want to practice asking for the valuation report and naming the appraisal clause calmly.
What happens
How a session goes
- You speak first. You can start by thanking Craig for the offer and asking to see the valuation report it's based on.
- Craig responds as a polite adjuster working from his report. He may mention comparable cars or say a number is final.
- You keep going until Craig states a final, term-by-term position and says deal or no deal.
Real lines from a test session
What Craig Holden said in a test session
“Hi, thanks for taking my call. So here's where we're at: our valuation report shows your vehicle's actual cash value at $6,200.”
“I appreciate you sending those listings over. I took a hard look at them, and I can see they're similar.”
“Given your local market data and our internal report, I can stretch our offer to $7,500 as a final number. That is the absolute top my supervisor approved on this file.”
From a test session of this practice in the app, lightly trimmed. Your session goes its own way: the character reacts to what you say.
You go first
Ways to open
- “Hi Craig, thanks for the offer. I'd like to see the valuation report it's based on.”
- “I found three comparable cars within 50 miles listed between $8,200 and $8,900.”
- “Your report lists my car as the base trim. It's the sport trim with the tech package.”
Example first lines to adapt. Fill in the brackets with your own details.
The scorecard
What the scorecard looked like for Total Loss Offers
“Could you take another look at those?”
You asked as a favor rather than requesting a specific action with a deadline or consequence.
Try instead: “Please compare these comps to your market data and send me an updated written offer — I'll also need a copy of your valuation report to see how you got to $6,200.”
What went well: You kept a calm, respectful tone even when pushing back on the initial offer.
Real scorecard output from one of our test runs. In test runs the practice answers are written by a test script, not by a customer.
What good looks like
What a strong answer does here
- You open with a clear number and a reason, like comparable listings within 50 miles.
- You ask questions before conceding, such as asking for the valuation report or about tax and title.
- You trade instead of giving, like offering to send more comps if Craig confirms a higher number in writing.
- You name your walk-away calmly and never reveal it, and you get the final offer confirmed in writing.
Scored on:
- Preparation & anchoring
- Value creation
- Outcome
- Rapport
Common mistakes
Weak lines, and what to say instead
Weak: “That's too low, I can't accept that.”
Better: “I'd like to see the valuation report. I found three similar cars listed between $8,200 and $8,900.”
A number without a reason is easy for an adjuster to brush off.
Weak: “Fine, just give me the $6,200.”
Better: “Before I decide, can you explain how you calculated the $6,200 and what it includes for tax and title?”
Accepting the first offer leaves money on the table and skips the questions that create movement.
Weak: “You people are trying to cheat me!”
Better: “I appreciate your help. I want to make sure the report matches my car's trim and mileage.”
Anger makes the adjuster defensive; calm facts keep the conversation moving.
Weak: “I'll take $7,600, that's my final number.”
Better: “I need $8,300 plus tax and title to replace my car. If we can't get there, I'll have to look at the appraisal clause.”
Naming your walk-away number gives away your limit and weakens your position.
Counter a Lowball Total-Loss Offer: start talking in a few seconds. Your own side stays yours to fill in.
Try it free, no signupMake this useful for your next conversation
Your negotiation trainer practice plan
- Define your target and walk-away
- Ask about interests and trade terms
- Confirm the agreement clearly
Start with a free worksheet, then test your own response with a voice or text roleplay. Your first complete coaching report is free once across all areas. Create a free account to save your goal, actual words, and downloadable notes.
Need repeated practice? $4.99 once buys 100 rounds across every mode and full coaching on every report. Rounds never expire; no subscription is required.
FAQ
Questions about Total Loss Offers
What if Craig says 'that's the best I can do'?
In this practice, that's a moment to ask questions instead of accepting it. You can ask for the valuation report, point out wrong options or mileage, or send more comparable listings. Craig may come back with a higher number. The scorecard rewards asking questions before conceding and trading instead of giving in. Try it free →
How does the practice end?
It ends when Craig states his final offer term by term, including the amount and anything else he’ll add, and says whether you have a deal. Comparing that number to his first offer shows how much your comparables and questions moved him. Try it free →
Does a total loss payout include sales tax and fees?
It depends on your state and your policy. Many states require insurers to include sales tax and some title and registration fees in a total loss settlement, while others don’t. Ask the adjuster to list exactly what the offer includes, and check your state insurance department’s rules. Try it free →
What if I can't agree with the insurer on my car's value?
Many auto policies include an appraisal clause, where you and the insurer each hire an appraiser and a third settles differences. You can also file a complaint with your state insurance department. Keep your comparable listings and all correspondence in writing. Try it free →
Practice only, not legal advice.
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