Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Berger.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up around classic/muscle cars and always had a deep love for any car built in the 1950s and 1960s. I got started in this industry with a company out of Michigan that would pay me to go to the Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, FL, and inspect cars for prospective customers before they bid on them. I realized in a big hurry that there was a need for this type of service and ended up going out on my own. After a short period of part-time and weekends, I got my feet planted in what I was doing and realized there was an entire industry based around what I was doing. There was insurance work and what could be described as Public Adjuster work in the Auto/Heavy Equipment/Motorcycle/RV/ATV worlds that seemed to be lacking quality and consistency. I decided to get my FL 620 All Lines License and take my business to the next level. During the COVID shutdown, I focused on obtaining that license, which propelled me into a whole new world of possibilities.
Today, I operate Nationwide, expanding my Florida License to several states that require it and offering Total Loss Dispute Representation, Diminished Value Appraisals. Repair Dispute Representation. I also work with many different Law Firms providing Expert Witness Testimony in disputes, Estate/Probate Valuations, Divorce Valuations, Charitable Donation Valuations, and Agreed Value Insurance Valuations.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Getting my name out there has definitely been one of the biggest challenges — but an even bigger one is helping people understand that just because an insurance adjuster says something doesn’t make it true.
That’s why I’ve made it a priority to educate the public about the Appraisal Clause — what it is, how it works, and when it can be your most valuable tool in a claim.
To make the process easier, I offer free initial consultations. This lets me understand your unique situation and ensure I can truly help — before you ever see an invoice.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
CFL Auto Appraise offers the following services:
– DIMINISHED VALUE APPRAISAL – If your car has been involved in an accident, it now has a history that will follow it for the remainder of its useful life. This accident history will impact the vehicle’s value moving forward, whether you sell or trade it. Diminished Value is meant to help the vehicle owner recoup that loss in value from the at-fault party after the vehicle has been repaired
– TOTAL LOSS DISPUTE – If your car was deemed a Total Loss, NEVER take the first settlement offer. ALWAYS get it appraised. On average, most settlement offers are 10 – 15% less than what they should actually be in the real world. I fight the insurance company on your behalf to maximize that settlement offer.
– REPAIR DISPUTE – Many times, the insurance company will reject a qualified repair shop’s estimate to bring a car back to its PRE-ACCIDENT condition. I will fight the insurance company and force them to repair your vehicle to OEM and manufacturer’s Specifications. This ensures a safe and properly repaired vehicle.
– FAIR MARKET VALUATION – These appraisals are commonly used in Bankruptcy, Divorce, Estate/Probate, Dispute, and Charitable Donations. etc… They are also used to help people who have inherited taken possession of a vehicle and just want to know what it’s worth. Many lending institutions require a Fair Market Value Appraisal before they will lend money to ensure the collateral is sufficient.
– AGREED VALUE APPRAISAL – Agreed Value Appraisal comes into play when you need an Agreed Value or Replacement Cost Policy. Example: You restore a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and invest $150,000 into the restoration project. DO NOT let the insurance company place a Stated Value Policy on that car!!! You most likely will only get a small percentage of that investment back in the event of a Total Loss.
CFL Auto Appraise offers these services NATIONWIDE and also offers them on Light Auto/Trucks, Heavy Equipment, Tractor/Trailer, Implement, etc, Motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, Boats/Marine, and even Aircraft.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
AI is transforming many industries, and the insurance sector is no exception. While AI has a role to play, its current implementation in claims processing is, in my view, creating more problems than it solves. The removal of the human element is leading to increased issues, job displacement, and ultimately, more work for those remaining. I believe AI can be a useful tool, but it shouldn’t completely replace the value of in-person inspections, boots-on-the-ground assessments, and the human touch.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.CFLAutoAppraise.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cflautoappraise
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cflautoappraisal
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbergerabsolute/ and https://linkedin.com/company/cfl-auto-appraise/
- Twitter: https://x.com/carappraisalCFL
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cflautoappraise
- Other: https://linktr.ee/cflautoappraise
Image Credits
CFL Auto Appraise
