2 Minutes About Vehicle Appraisals:
Explore our detailed list of appraisals to see the experience we have with your marques of interest.
Over 6,000
Classic Car Appraisals
Since 1970
How do you accurately determine the value of a late-model vehicle, a pristine classic car, or something truly unusual, like a 1902 steam-powered fire engine? You find an expert with experience you can trust. That's Dennis Mitosinka.
Southern California's Most Trusted Classic, Luxury & Exotic Car Appraiser
We have provided authoritative, trusted appraisals for the following insurance carriers, companies, agencies:
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Allstate Insurance Group
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American Collateral Corp.
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American Collector Insurance Inc.
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Auction America
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Auto Club
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Bancor Limited
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Bank of America
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Bank of Newport
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Baxter Credit Union
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Briggs-Cunningham Auto Museum
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California Casualty Insurance
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California Collectible Cars Inc.
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California Department of Motor Vehicles
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Cal Insurance
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Chubb Insurance
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City of Santa Ana, California
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Classic Automobiles, Costa Mesa
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Condon & Skelly Insurance
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Corvette Mikes
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Costa Mesa Police Department
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County of Las Angeles
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County of Santa Barbara
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Crocker National Bank
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Disney Studios
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District Attorney’s Office – Santa Barbara, California
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Employer’s Mutual Insurance Company
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European Auto Restoration
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Farmers Insurance Group
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Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.)
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Federal Deposit Insurance Company (F.D.I.C.)
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First Interstate Bank
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Hagerty Insurance
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Harrah’s Auto Collection and Casino
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Imperial Palace Auto Collection and Casino
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In-N-Out Burger
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Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.)
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ITT Hartford Insurance
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J.C. Taylor Insurance
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JPH Enterprises
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J R’s Rolls-Royce
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J. Williams Racing
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Laughlin Hotels and Casino
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Lloyds of London Insurance
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Lincoln National Insurance
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Los Angeles Times Mirror
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Marine National Bank
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Mercury Insurance
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Mission Argyle Production Company
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Movie World Auto Museum
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Movie World Auction Company
Since 1980, our office in Santa Ana has been home to Dennis's private collection of cars, bikes and planes.
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Newport Properties
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Nissan Performance Technology Inc.
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Orange County Teachers Credit Union
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Poonja Group
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Progressive Insurance
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Resolution Trust
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Rick Cole Auction Company
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Royal Insurance
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Safeco Insurance
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Saint Paul Insurance
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San Diego Auto Museum
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Sanwa Bank
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Security Savings Bank
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Southern California Edison Co.
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Spectrum Auction Company
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State Board of Equalization
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The Auto Store, Santa Barbara, California
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The Chubb Group
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The Thorpe Collection
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Trans-American Insurance
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Tri Star Productions
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Tri States Insurance
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Union Bank
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Universal Studios
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U.S Department of Justice
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Wells Fargo Bank
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Zurich Insurance
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1st Los Angeles Bank
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20th Century Insurance
Why You Need an
Independent Appraisal
Net-Worth Calculations
Classic car collections have proven to be a solid investment over time. It may constitute a significant portion of your net worth.
Settling of Estates
When one heir wants to receive a classic vehicle as his or her share of an estate, an independent appraisal is essential for fairness.
Court-Required Expert Testimony
We have served many times as expert witnesses for depositions and court appearances, attesting to the true value of vehicles.
Appraisals for Insurance Policies
Insurance companies trust our experience, unbiased assessment of your vehicle's value, ensuring you can get the coverage you need.
Diminuation of Value Claims
After a collision-damaged classic, luxury or exotic car is repaired, its value is impaired, sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars.
Insurance Company Disputes
Insurance companies may fail to understand the true value of your classic, exotic or luxury car if it is stolen, damaged or totaled.
Marriage or Business Dissolutions
An unbiased, authoritative appraisal can facilitate the fair division of vehicle assets in a divorse or business dissoltions situation.
Buying and Selling Vehicles
The market for exotic and classic cars can be illiquid and opaque. Our expert appraisal will let you buy or sell with confidence.
Start by reaching out for a quick conversation about your need for a classic car appraisal.
Open Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM
Why might classic car appraisals be necessary?
A car appraisal can be necessary for many reasons. By choosing Dennis Mitosinka's Classic Cars & Appraisal Service, you are trusting our experience of appraising cars: over 50 years of appraising and over 6,000 vehicles appraised. Classic car appraisals can help you properly estimate your net worth, settle estates, ensure proper insurance coverage, and of course, help you get a great price if you’re buying or selling a car. We specialize in rare, exotic, and antique cars, providing decades of knowledge and expertise that you simply won’t get from an insurance company. We also offer car appraisals for newer model vehicles. Whether you’re looking to sell your car or have been in an accident and need an idea of the diminished value of your vehicle, we will give you a professional and accurate appraisal. Call now for a free estimate!
Do I need a classic car appraisal if I’m donating my car?
There are many reasons you might be donating your car. Maybe you have a beautiful old classic car that you want a museum to have, or you might just be donating your car to a charity or a non-profit in need of a car. Regardless of why you’re donating your vehicle, it’s a great thing! However, before you donate, you definitely want to make sure you have a legitimate classic car appraisal. By doing so, you can ensure that you get the proper tax deductions for your donation.
Why should I get classic car appraisals from a third-party appraiser?
When you’re looking to have your car appraised, it’s crucial that you choose an appraiser who is knowledgeable of your specific vehicle. Here at Dennis Mitosinka's Classic Cars & Appraisal Service, we have been appraising all kinds of cars, from exotic, rare, classic cars all the way up to the newer American models, for years. We have a thorough working knowledge of every car on the market and are experts on every brand. We cover Buicks, Chevrolets, and Fiats, as well as Maseratis, Teslas, and more. When dealing with your assets like your car, you want a team who knows the specifics of depreciation, diminished value, industry standards, and everything in between. No matter if your car is an old American classic or a foreign high-end luxury vehicle, we have 50 years of experience to give you an accurate modern or classic car appraisal.
Do you only offer classic car appraisals?
Dennis Mitosinka's Classic Cars & Appraisal Service offers classic car appraisals, but we also provide appraisals for other vehicles, including more recent models of all makes and motorcycles as well. From Alfa Romeo to Zimmer and everything else in between, we can accurately and professionally appraise it all. Call now for a free estimate to see what we can do for you!
What insurance companies accept your classic car appraisals?
Over the years, we have provided trusted classic car appraisals as well as appraisals for more recent makes and models to dozens and dozens of insurance companies. Everyone from Allstate to the District Attorney of Santa Barbara and all the way to Disney Studios trusts our services and judgment. If you get into an accident and need to make a claim, you are making a wise financial choice by hiring us to do your car appraisal. Because we have particular interest in classic car appraisals, and our service spans 50 years, we have the experience necessary to give you the most accurate appraisal possible. Dennis Mitosinka's Classic Cars & Appraisal Service is hailed as the authority on classic car appraisals, and insurance companies trust us to give them a price that is right on target.
Can a classic car appraisal lower the cost of my insurance?
If you have been paying the same on your insurance for years, it’s time to get an appraisal. An accurate appraisal can potentially save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in insurance every year. Allow us to take a look at your car and determine its true value. You can then discuss with your insurance agent and see if your rates can be lowered if your car’s value is different than what they have on their books. Call now to get a free estimate and start saving money today!
Can you determine the diminished value of my vehicle with a classic car appraisal?
If your car has been in an accident, whether it’s 30 years old or you just drove it off the lot, it has a diminished value. Diminished value is the perceived loss in value of your car after it has been in an accident. Even if it’s been repaired and seems to be as good as new, its damage history tells you otherwise, and its resale value will be lower than if it had not been in an accident in the first place. Though this isn’t ideal, knowing the true diminished value will be helpful to you if you choose to file an insurance claim. Many times, car owners file a diminished value insurance claim in which they request an amount of money to compensate them for the difference between their car’s value prior to the accident and its new value after repairs have been made. This is an often-overlooked way to get the money you deserve for your car. Call now to get an appraisal from our experts. We’ll help you get the information you need for your insurance company to provide fair compensation for your vehicle.
Why do I need a classic car appraisal to determine my car’s value?
The saying goes that your car loses value as soon as you drive it off the lot. However, with luxury and classic cars, they are more likely to retain their value, even over time. With so many factors contributing to depreciation rates, it’s difficult to know what your car is actually worth. By getting a classic car appraisal from us, you can know for sure how much value your vehicle has retained over the years. We take into account things like the make and model, of course, but we also consider supply and demand, historical significance, car industry trends, and more to make sure both your classic and modern cars are accurately appraised.