They will argue depreciation (because that's what their computer says) and you will argue appreciation (because that's real life) One way to prepare is to cut out for sale adds on cars of like kind and quality. Then to cap it off -if you know someone in the car business-get him or her to give you a statement as to what they would sell the car for-and THAT is the ACV . (my first real employment was as a claims adjuster for a ins. co. )