Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What makes The Fournier Auto Group different from other appraisers? Most appraisers rely heavily on their expertise when it comes to providing an opinion. It is not uncommon for an appraiser to say “I’ve been doing this for 20 years and this is my opinion”. The Fournier Auto Group aggregates data from multiple sources and compiles it together. This data is used to provide an opinion but can also be shared with an insurer to come to a solution.
I’m insured by ICBC, 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.
What should I do if my vehicle is being written off and I’m not sure the value being 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.
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!
“Highly recommend getting Rob Fournier to get you back the money you deserve on the financial loss you have suffered on the value of your vehicle. I had an extensive amount of damage done to my new car by a negligent driver. Although ICBC paid for allthe repairs I was still at a loss for the depreciated value of my vehicle. Rob provided mewith an Accelerated Depreciation Report which got me my lost value back from ICBC. I was able to keep it out of court which was a huge time saver and spared me the stress.Rob was also very helpful, insightful and professional. From my personal experience I would recommend Rob's services to anyone who is facing a similar circumstance.”
– Teha Lagah
“Rob at Fournier Auto Group was extremely helpful in assisting me with my accelerateddepreciation claim. He went over and above just simply preparing the report. It is obvious they are passionate above improving the the current ICBC system dealing with these types of claims”
- Mark A
“I highly recommend Rob Fournier. I had a motor vehicle accident May 25 2018. He made a very stressful incident less stressful. His expertise in the auto industry and ICBC was exceptional.Rob helped me get the adequate amount for accelerated depreciation for my new car.”