Content Appraisals

Expert insurance content appraisals for loss documentation and insurance claims nationwide.

Pre-Loss Appraisals

Detailed valuations to protect your assets before any loss occurs

Post-Loss Appraisals

Comprehensive assessments to support insurance claims after damage

On-site, virtual, and remote appraisals are available nationwide.

Why Professional Appraisals Lead to Better Insurance Settlements

When facing a loss, the quality of your insurance content appraisal can make a significant difference in your settlement amount. Working with a professional appraiser who has years of experience handling home and business contents ensures that every item is properly documented, valued, and presented to your insurance company.

Experienced Professional Appraisers Provide:

• Accurate Valuations - Professional appraisers understand market values, replacement costs, and depreciation factors that insurance companies scrutinize. They know how to properly assess damage and determine fair compensation.

• Comprehensive Documentation - Detailed photographs, item descriptions, condition reports, and provenance research create an ironclad case for your claim. Missing or inadequate documentation is one of the main reasons settlements fall short.

• Expert Negotiation Support - Insurance adjusters respect appraisals from credentialed professionals who follow USPAP standards. A professional report carries weight that a simple inventory list cannot match.

• Hidden Value Discovery - Years of experience help professional appraisers identify valuable items that untrained eyes might overlook - antiques, fine art, collectibles, and specialty items that significantly increase settlement amounts.

The Risks of Non-Professional Assessments:

Without a professional appraisal, policyholders often receive substantially lower settlements because they:

- Undervalue items due to lack of market knowledge

- Fail to document damage comprehensively

- Miss valuable items in their inventory

- Lack the expertise to challenge lowball insurance offers

- Don't understand proper replacement cost calculations

A professional appraisal is an investment that typically pays for itself many times over through higher settlement amounts and faster claim resolution.

Protect Your Property - Get Your Insurance Content Appraisal Today!

Frequently asked questions

What is Your Brand Name?

The Peterson Exchange - Auctions & Appraisals LLC - works with home and business contents. Our services:

• Estate clearing - Florida

• USPAP-compliant and IRS-qualified appraisals of home and business content for divorce, estates, bankruptcy, insurance, and resale—nationwide

• Licensed Florida Insurance Adjuster 6-20—specializing in home and business content, including fine art—Florida only

• The Peterson Exchange Online Boutique offers new and gently used items nationwide.

How does your product/service work?

At The Peterson Exchange – Auctions & Appraisals LLC, we make appraising your personal property simple and transparent. Here’s how it works:

You pick the method that works best for you:

• On-Site Appraisal – We come to your home, office, or estate to examine items in person. Ideal for high-value or complex collections.

• Virtual Appraisal – Using video conferencing, we evaluate your items remotely. Perfect for convenience without sacrificing accuracy.

• Photo/Document Appraisal – You provide detailed photos and descriptions, and we create a full professional report.

  Professional Appraisal for Your Specific Needs

  A professional appraisal ensures accurate valuations that are USPAP-compliant and accepted by courts, insurance companies, and financial institutions. Common reasons clients need an appraisal include:

  • Estate Equitable Distribution – Fairly divide assets among heirs and beneficiaries.

  • Estate Tax Planning – Ensure proper valuation of property for federal and state estate tax reporting.

  • Divorce Equitable Distribution – Determine accurate value of assets for equitable division.

  • Pre- or Post-Loss Insurance – Verify value of property for insurance coverage or claims.

  • Donation / Charitable Tax Contribution – Establish fair market value for tax-deductible contributions.

  • Bankruptcy – Document asset values for legal and financial reporting.

  • Resale – Understand the market value of items for private sale or consignment.

  Receive Your Appraisal Report

  After examining your items, we provide a professional, written appraisal that includes:

  • Detailed descriptions of items

  • High-quality photographs (if applicable)

  • Fair market value estimates

  • Compliance with USPAP and IRS standards

  This report can be used for legal, insurance, or personal purposes, giving you confidence in your financial decision

How much does it cost?

Our pricing varies depending on service type, location, time needed, and the staffing required to complete the service. We provide free estimates.

How can I contact you?

You can reach us by email at support@thepetersonexchange.com, or use our contact form listed below. We are always happy to answer your questions.

What do you appraise?

At The Peterson Exchange – Auctions & Appraisals LLC, we provide professional appraisals for a wide range of personal property, estate items, and specialty assets. Our valuations are USPAP- and IRS-compliant, making them suitable for estate planning, insurance, charitable donations, divorce equitable distribution, bankruptcy, resale, and more.

Antiques & Vintage Items - We appraise furniture, decorative objects, historical items, and other vintage collectibles. Whether it’s a family heirloom or a rare antique, we provide accurate valuations for both insurance and resale purposes.

Fine Art & Artwork -Our team evaluates paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and mixed-media pieces. Each appraisal considers provenance, condition, and market trends to provide reliable fair market value estimates.

Jewelry, Gems & Precious Metals - We assess rings, necklaces, watches, silver, gold, and other precious metals. Our appraisals are detailed and compliant, ideal for insurance, estate planning, or resale.

Collectibles & Memorabilia - From coins, stamps, and vintage toys to sports memorabilia, rare books, and historical artifacts, we appraise items valued by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Household Contents & Personal Property - We provide valuations for home furnishings, décor, rugs, glassware, and other tangible items in private residences or estates. Perfect for estate settlements, insurance, or moving transitions.

Specialty Items - Musical instruments, clocks, timepieces, and other unique assets are evaluated with care and precision. We ensure every specialty item is valued accurately according to its market significance.

Estate & Business Assets - We appraise entire estates or business contents when needed, providing comprehensive valuations for estate distribution, liquidation, insurance, or tax purposes.

How long does an appraisal take?

The time required for an appraisal depends on several factors:

• Number of items: A single item can be appraised quickly, while an entire estate naturally takes longer.

• Complexity of items: Some items, like artwork or rare collectibles, require more research and analysis.

• Density and variety: Estates with many items or a mix of types (furniture, jewelry, art, collectibles) take more time to catalog and evaluate.

Generally, most appraisals can be completed within 1–4 weeks, but timing may vary depending on the size and complexity of the collection.