I, Fred Zapien, am the president of “Zapien’s Appraisal Inc.” and Zapien’s Logistics Inc. located in; Whittier, California. I am in the business of managing vehicle claims, which includes damage assessment and resolution.  I also create Actual Cash Values on anything vehicular and am the author of “The Argument” that deals with Inherent Diminution of Value.

My expertise started in 1964. My father owned and operated several auto body shops. Here is where I learned how to repair damaged vehicles and paint the same (I painted my first car when I was 10 years old)! My knowledge increased over the years that included frame and unibody repair, auto electronics, wheel suspension, a working knowledge of auto upholstery and all of the incidentals that occur in auto accidents.

We also owned several used car lots and I became familiar with the buying and selling of automobiles and trucks. We also did a great deal of business in the wholesale market through the L.A. Auto Auction in Rosemead, California.

In 1972, I joined the United States Army and achieved the rank of Sergeant E-5, before being honorably discharged in 1975. Upon my return, I went to work for Felix Chevrolet, in Los Angeles, California, as the Body Shop Manager. I worked there for about a year before I took a position with “Material Damage Appraisal” in Long Beach, California. There I was trained to evaluate damages from an insurance perspective and learned insurance policy criteria and all related fields associated within the same industry. By 1981, I was the Quality Control Manager and oversaw the operations of 31 appraisers.

I worked there until 1985 when my father became ill and I took over as General Manager of “United Auto Center”, In Los Angeles, California. It was my total responsibility to oversee approximately 20 employees that serviced the auto and truck repair business. This was a complete repair facility that included and not limited to the repairs (both body and mechanical) and sales of Automobiles and Trucks. I sold the business in 1990 and returned to vehicle appraising at “Material Damage Appraisal” until I opened my own business in 1993.

It is within my expertise to assess and repair damaged automobiles and trucks, negotiate the same with others in the industry I serve. This encompasses the ability to discern related damages vs. the illusions of other agenda’s. I also call and locate vehicles (Auto & Truck) for sale to affect Actual Cash Values of those same vehicles. I have been asked and employed to serve as arbitrator and/or mediator for disputed cases that arise more often than not in this business and to serve as an expert when called upon.

I have been a member of the “Southern California FRAUD Investigators Association” since 1992.

I have been hired as an expert in diminution of value claims and have represented myself in that capacity in several legal matters.

My educational background has been limited to a high school graduate and also attended Mt. San Antonio College.

I was the Material Damage Manager for Civil Service Employees Insurance Company from 2009 to 2011.

Should you have any questions and need any references, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at my office number of (562) 699-9733 or you can reach me by cellular at (562) 756-5311.

You can read the ; “The Argument”, that can be found at www.inherentdiminutionofvalue.com

Thank you for your consideration,

Fred Zapien
Zapien’s Inc.
562-756-5311