Frequently Asked Questions

What type of vehicles do you appraise?

The Fournier Auto Group can appraise:

• motorcycles
• motor homes
• camperized vans
• travel trailers
• passenger cars, trucks and vans
• heavy duty equipment including but not limited to highway tractors, cement pump trucks, day cabs, dry freight van lines etc
• modified vehicles
• custom vehicles
• collectors

ICBC insures me, what are the steps after my vehicle has been damaged? Each insurance company is a bit different, but for the most part, the process can be very similar. Each company has different transparency policies and may or may not release information as easily as another.

After a vehicle has been damaged in BC, ICBC should have the vehicle’s damages estimated. In some instances, they do not have the vehicle damages estimated as they state it looks like an obvious total loss.

Once the damages are estimated, if it looks like a total loss, ICBC will retain Mitchell to provide a 3rd party appraisal. ICBC will also estimate the salvage value of the vehicle. This salvage value is based on what they have seen previous vehicles similar to the loss vehicle sell for at auction. ICBC can repair a vehicle up to 100% of the vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV), but often will stop once the repair values are higher than the difference between the ACV and Salvage. Ie. A 2020 Honda Pilot has been damaged and it has been valued at $38,000. The salvage value is $5000. The total loss threshold is $33,000.    

If you have a rental, insurers often give you a day or two after they provide their total loss valuation. At this point, you must return the rental or continue to pay out of pocket. IVE’s can work with you before your insurer sending you an offer so you can start the process of replacing your vehicle.

What should I do if my vehicle is being written off and I’m not sure the value offered is fair? The best thing you can do is find ads for comparable vehicles. Often The Fournier Auto Group is called months or even years after the fact. The vehicle market changes regularly and having ads as close to the date of loss is invaluable. The best practice is to save the ads as a PDF and save the images in a folder. The Fournier Auto Group provides a service to assess your situation for $250.00 plus GST. If it is determined that the offer from ICBC (or other insurers) is not reasonable, the $250 is applied to an appraisal.

What is an IVE?
An Independent Vehicle Examiner or IVE is an individual who is impartial and at arm’s length from the automotive industry. This is important so that it is clear there are no financial interests in vehicles or the auto industry. 

What certification is required to be an appraiser in British Columbia? At this moment there are no certifications or government bodies that oversee the Appraisal industry in BC. There are a number of independent organizations that offer certification, but certification is not mandatory. The Fournier Auto Groups’ ability to provide opinions is based on its years of expertise and credentials.

What are the qualifications of the Fournier Auto Group founder Mr. Robert Fournier? Mr. Fournier has been working in the auto industry since 2000. Starting his career at dealerships, he worked throughout BC, Manitoba and Alberta. He has experience in the automotive aftermarket, OEM and used parts. He has been providing vehicle valuation opinions for over the past 12 years and has numerous published decisions in the Civil Resolution Tribunal. He has been accepted as an expert in diminished value in BC Provincial Court as ICBC’s expert.

Need more information? We can help with:

• Vehicle write-offs – Learn More
• Lease returns – Learn More
• Accelerated depreciation – Learn More
• Looking to sell your vehicle – Learn More
• PST Vehicle Appraisals – Learn More

Unsure if we can help? Just contact us. We’re here to help!