Orlando Auto Body
Total Loss Evaluation

Know what your vehicle is worth before you accept the offer.

Before releasing the vehicle or accepting a settlement, understand the valuation, the evidence behind it, and the financial obligations tied to the vehicle.

Offer review
Vehicle-value evidence
Lease and loan context
Claim guidance
Severely damaged vehicle being evaluated after a collision

Auto Body & Collision Repair Specialists
Mesa, Scottsdale & Gilbert

38+

Years Serving AZ

3

Valley Locations

4.7★

Google Rating

I-CAR Gold Class Collision Repair

I-CAR Gold Certified

Orlando Auto Body Certifications

Mopar Certified Collision RepairHyundai CertifiedCadillac CertifiedKia CertifiedNissan CertifiedRAM CertifiedDodge CertifiedFIAT CertifiedJeep CertifiedI-CAR Gold ClassChevrolet CertifiedBuick CertifiedGMC CertifiedINFINITI CertifiedFord CertifiedLincoln CertifiedChrysler Certified

We provide complete auto body services and towing to vehicle owners across Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, and the surrounding Valley.

Before you accept an offer

A total-loss decision is also a valuation decision

An insurer can decide that repair is uneconomical even when a vehicle could technically be repaired.

The settlement is generally based on the policy and an estimate of the vehicle’s pre-loss value—not what you originally paid or what you still owe.

Orlando Auto Body can help you review the total-loss evaluation, identify missing condition or equipment information, and understand the questions to raise with the insurer.

Review the valuation

Check the vehicle description, mileage, condition, options, and comparable vehicles used in the report.

Document added value

Receipts and photos for recent tires, paint, accessories, service, or upgrades may support corrections.

Understand the policy basis

Fair market value and replacement-cost coverage are different and depend on policy terms.

Check the payoff

A lease or loan can affect where the settlement goes and whether a balance remains.

Important

Do not release the vehicle before you understand the offer

A release can change your leverage and control over the vehicle. Review the insurer’s evaluation and speak with your assigned claim representative before authorizing a transfer.

Ask For A Review

What to gather

Strong questions start with complete records

01

Valuation report

Request the complete report and verify every vehicle detail and comparable.

02

Condition evidence

Use pre-loss photos, service records, and detail records to document condition.

03

Upgrade receipts

Gather proof for recent tires, paint, audio, tint, remote start, or other additions.

04

Loan or lease statement

Know the payoff amount and whether gap coverage may apply.

How insurers value a total loss

Market value and replacement value are not the same

A market-value settlement generally estimates what the vehicle was worth immediately before the loss using its year, make, model, mileage, condition, options, and comparable sales.

Replacement-value coverage, when included in the policy, may use a different basis. The declarations and settlement language in the policy control which standard applies.

Severely damaged vehicle being evaluated as a potential total loss

If you finance or lease

The settlement may go to the owner or lender first

A leased vehicle belongs to the leasing company, and a financed vehicle secures the lender’s balance. Insurance proceeds are typically applied to that obligation before any remaining amount reaches you.

If the settlement is lower than the payoff, you may still owe a balance unless gap coverage or another policy provision applies. Review the loan, lease, and coverage documents carefully.

The standard behind the work

Right repair. Clear communication. Verified result.

Every repair is different. Our responsibility is to identify what yours requires and make the work understandable from the first estimate through final delivery.

A practical review process

Four steps before you respond to the offer

Drivers documenting a collision before reviewing a total-loss offer
  1. 1

    Get the written evaluation

    Ask for the full valuation report, settlement basis, deductions, and comparable vehicles.

  2. 2

    Verify every input

    Correct the trim, mileage, options, condition, and comparable details that are inaccurate.

  3. 3

    Add your evidence

    Provide records that support condition, recent work, equipment, and local market value.

  4. 4

    Respond in writing

    Keep the questions, supporting records, and insurer response together in the claim file.

Frequently Asked Questions

My insurance suggested another shop — do I have to use it?

No. Arizona law gives a person the right to choose a repair facility for a motor-vehicle loss, subject to the insurer receiving notice of the loss or claim under the policy. Your insurer may recommend a shop, but the choice is yours. Orlando Auto Body works directly with all major insurance companies and can help coordinate the estimate and towing.

Are you on my insurance company's preferred list?

We work directly with all major insurance companies. You don't need us to be on your carrier's "preferred" or direct-repair list to use us — being on that list isn't required for us to coordinate and complete an insured repair. Call your nearest location and we'll confirm exactly how we work with your specific carrier.

Will I pay more if I choose Orlando?

We review the repair plan, insurer estimate, and known customer responsibility before authorized work begins. Coverage, policy terms, the deductible, customer-authorized additions, parts choices, and unresolved rate or procedure differences can affect what a customer owes. We explain those items before you authorize them rather than promising that every claim has the same outcome.

Do you use OEM parts, and are your repairs certified?

We advocate for and use factory OEM replacement parts, follow current vehicle-specific repair procedures, and document any customer-authorized alternative listed on the repair order. Orlando Auto Body is I-CAR Gold Class and participates in manufacturer collision-repair programs for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, FIAT, Hyundai, INFINITI, Kia, and Nissan. Program recognition is facility-specific, so call us to confirm the current certification for your location and vehicle. Warranty coverage varies by repair category; see our written warranty for the controlling terms.

Can you repair my vehicle if you're not certified for that make?

Usually, yes. There's a difference between being able to repair a make and holding that manufacturer's specific certification. We're certified for a number of brands and repair many others to manufacturer specifications using the right procedures and equipment. Call your nearest location and we'll confirm what's current for your exact make and model.

Who provides the warranty on my repair?

Orlando Auto Body provides and honors its written repair warranty; the insurer does not perform the repair. While you own the vehicle, our written warranty provides lifetime coverage for qualifying metalwork, five years for qualifying paint work, one year for stripes and decals, and one year for qualifying collision-related mechanical repairs, subject to its exclusions and the repair order.

How long does a repair take?

Repairing your car to pre-loss condition the right way is our #1 objective. Timing depends on the severity of the damage, parts availability, any hidden damage found after disassembly, and insurer approvals — so it varies. We'll give you a realistic timeline with your estimate and keep you updated along the way, rather than quote a number we can't stand behind.

Do you offer free estimates and towing?

Yes — estimates are always free, and we can arrange towing to get your vehicle to the shop. You can request an estimate by phone, in person at any location, or through our online photo estimate: upload pictures of the damage and the nearest Orlando Auto Body team will follow up quickly.

How can you help with my deductible?

Depending on your repair, you may qualify for a direct repair discount or choose to apply separately for third-party financing. The direct-discount offer is limited to qualifying first-party claims under your own policy and is not available when another party was at fault. Offers may change or end at any time. Promotions cannot be combined; only one promotion may be applied per repair. Call a location and a service advisor will explain what is currently available.

Where are your locations?

Orlando Auto Body has three Valley locations: Mesa at 1007 S Center Street, Scottsdale at 3005 N 71st St, and Gilbert at 3055 E Williams Field Rd. We provide complete auto body services and towing to drivers across the East Valley and greater Phoenix area.

Have you heard of Orlando Auto Body on the radio?

Probably! We're a family-owned Arizona shop, in business since 1989, with a 4.7-star Google rating. If you heard us on the radio, just call your nearest location and mention it: Mesa (480) 844-4858, Scottsdale (480) 590-3135, or Gilbert (480) 656-9202.

What is diminished value, and can I recover it?

After an accident, a vehicle can lose resale value even after a perfect repair — that difference is called diminished value. Not every vehicle or claim qualifies, and in Arizona it generally applies to the at-fault party's insurance. If you repair with us, ask a service advisor whether a diminished value claim may apply to your situation and we can help you document and pursue it.

Explore more

Related services

Total Loss Claim Support

Review the paperwork before you release the vehicle

Send us the evaluation and claim information so our team can help you identify the right questions to ask next.

Call or Get Directions

Choose a Shop

Scottsdale

3005 N 71st St

CallRoute

Mesa

1007 S Center Street

CallRoute

Gilbert

3055 E Williams Field Rd

CallRoute

Need Towing Assistance?

Call any shop above & let us know — we can help right away.

Choose a ShopCall or get directions

Call or Get Directions

Choose a Shop

Scottsdale

3005 N 71st St

CallRoute

Mesa

1007 S Center Street

CallRoute

Gilbert

3055 E Williams Field Rd

CallRoute

Need Towing Assistance?

Call any shop above & let us know — we can help right away.