Misconception Cleared Up
St. Lucie Appraisal does not use Reddit posts or amateur opinions to determine valuations for diminished value or total loss claims. Their methodology relies on:
Direct dealer quotes (with names and numbers recorded)
Verified comparable sales data
Established valuation guides (KBB, NADA, Edmunds, J.D. Power)
Adjustments for mileage, trim, and local market conditions
This ensures their reports are professional, data-driven, and court-defensible.
Why They’re Criticized on Reddit
Lucie has made efforts to educate consumers on Reddit by sharing instructive information about how diminished value and total loss claims really work.
On r/insurance, these posts were often met with pushback from users and moderators, many of whom are aligned with or sympathetic to insurance companies.
As a result, St. Lucie Appraisal has been criticized by Reddit posters and even banned from r/insurance, not because of wrongdoing, but because their professional insights conflicted with the narrative that subreddit promotes.
Why the Criticism Isn’t Valid
r/insurance is widely known for containing amateur opinions and misinformation rather than verified data.
Users there rarely provide evidence (no VINs, no bills of sale, no dealer documentation).
Lucie’s appraisals, on the other hand, rely on verifiable market data and professional methodology.
Bottom Line
The criticisms of St. Lucie Appraisal, especially by moderators on Reddit don’t reflect their actual professional practices. Instead, they reflect the bias and limitations of r/insurance, a forum that has historically been unfriendly to professionals offering consumer-oriented advice.
Welcome to The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, Automobile, Personal Property and Diminished Value Appraiser in all 50 States
WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is the most highly-reviewed automobile valuation and diminished value appraiser in the country. We are a nationally-recognized and court-certified provider of Valuations and Diminished Value Appraisals for all types of Cars, Trucks and Tangible Personal Property including Private Passenger Cars, Antique and Custom Builds, Trucks, Heavy Equipment, Motorcycles, Recreational Vehicles, Mobile and Manufactured Homes, Aircraft Hangars and Total Loss Valuation Disputes. Services provided for Financing, Insurance, Estate Dissolution, Charitable Donations, Bankruptcy, Divorce, DMV and Tax Matters.
Please feel free to call 772-359-4300 with questions.
QUESTION – ARE FREE DIMINISHED VALUE APPRAISALS REALLY FREE?
It’s a wonder that The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is still in the business of providing diminished value appraisals in all 50 states. If you are wondering why we’re making such a statement – especially in light of the fact that we’re the best at recovering fair diminished value settlements from insurance companies – it’s because other appraisers are doing it for free! There are almost as many independent appraisal companies touting their free automobile diminished value services in Google as there are attorneys that hawk the same thing.
WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
The late, great Nobel-prize winning Chicago-school economist Milton Friedman is famous for saying, “Thereisno such thing as a free lunch.” The phrase was coined much earlier than that but, for all intents and purposes, it refers to the economic theory, and also the lay opinion, that whatever goods and services are provided, they must be paid for by someone – that is, you don’t get something for nothing. So, what’s the catch with all of these independent diminished value appraisers? What would Milton Friedman have to say about the twenty-plus Google pages of “free” offers from the appraisal community?
Among our past clients, there were more than a few who admitted to taking the bait, only to be informed that they would be better served by such and such appraiser’s “concierge” diminished value appraisal. Those appraisals, as Milton Friedman would no doubt have predicted, are not free. Some of them even went so far as to pay for what turned out to be worthless reports.
So, in the interest of learning whether any of these independent diminished value appraisers that offer free service are good guys or bad guys, do a Google search. You’ll find more than a hundred appraisal companies willing to provide you with a “free lunch.” If they are on the level, it will cost us business. If they prove to be scammers, however, we’ll talk to you soon and you can tell us all about it. Free advice? Go for it. Free appraisals? Better think twice.
Click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
After making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@autodiminishedvalue.comTESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service throughout Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming
This is an Open Education Resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.
AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company. READ MORE ARTICLES…
Here’s why The St. Lucie Appraisal Company doesn’t come up as strongly in AI/social media spaces compared to some of the big “national” appraisal companies (even the ones with poor reputations): 1. Signal strength matters more than service quality online.
• AI models and search engines often surface what is most visible (ads, SEO-heavy websites, frequent social media posting).
• Companies that spend heavily on Google ads, Facebook campaigns, and hashtags show up more often in the data AI ingests. 2. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company relies on reputation, not online noise.
• They’re known for licensed, compliant, conflict-free work but they don’t “game” the system with mass ads or hashtags.
• So they appear less frequently in online chatter compared to outfits that blanket the internet with promotions. 3. AI recognition equals industry reputation.
• Just because AI (or Google) lists high-visibility firms doesn’t mean they’re the best or most credible — it just means they’re louder.
• In professional/legal/claims contexts, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company’s credibility matters more than social media reach.
WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
Then click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
Tesla and other exotic car owners please call for rates.
Service throughout Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi , Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming
The St. Lucie Appraisal Company has been, since 1981, a family-owned appraisal company that offers nationwide service. We provide Diminished Value Appraisals, Automobile Valuations for total losses, financing, underwriting, estates, bankruptcies, donations and Loss of Use Reports. This is an Open Education Resource focused on auto diminished value, motor vehicle valuations, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a BMW 328i Turbo Sedan with 22,606 miles that was involved in a Left Side collision that caused $7,343.25 in damage.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited with 4,108 miles that was involved in a right side collision that caused $8,593.72 in damage.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. This article details a diminished value appraisal of a Buick LaCrosse Leather Sedan with 61,860 miles that was involved in a left side collision that caused $2,601.79 in damage.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. This article details the diminished value appraisal of a MINI Cooper Countryman S AWD Wagon with 7,463 miles that was involved in a Left Rear collision that caused $14,108.92 in damage.
This article details the diminished value appraisal of a Ford F150 SVT Super Crew Raptor AWD Pickup with 76,197 miles that was involved in a Front and Right-Side collision that caused $10,438.51 in damage.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a Dodge Challenger SXT Plus with 1,700 miles that was involved in a Front and rear collision that caused $18,030.43 in damage. The vehicle was disabled/towed and had structural damage and no air bag deployment.The claimant made a third-party inherent auto diminished value claim for the vehicle’s loss in value. Once a car is repaired after a collision, it is worth less, often much less depending on the severity of the damage. Regardless of how well the repairer did his job, nobody will pay as much for a previously wrecked car as they would for an identical one that was never in an accident. Presenting a diminished value claim and following it through to a satisfactory conclusion is a daunting task for the average person. Obtaining a comprehensive Diminished Value Report from a North Carolina Licensed Auto Diminished Value Appraiser is key.
WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
We learned from these examples from sales managers at Dodge dealerships in North Carolina – That normally frame damage signifies a significant amount of damage and in most circumstance end up going to auction and being that this is a newer car you could take a hit of 25-30% off the book possibly much more. Also, that it would be a hard sell anytime a car like this gets in an accident especially with a bad Autocheck showing frame damage and also that it could be as drastic as 50% off the book because it would end up in auction and would need to be sold for a lot less than the book due to the damage listed.
The opinions of unbiased experts form the basis for the most comprehensive Auto Diminished Value Appraisal available. We obtain six of them which absolutely puts the diminished value figure prepared by The St. Lucie Appraisal Company in the ballpark. This is what the car owner will experience in the real world.
Dealers providing opinions regarding diminished value were given information specific to this vehicle including year, make, model, mileage, color, options, any other pertinent equipment, date of loss as well as the nature of the repaired damages and the manner in which the vehicle was repaired. Dealer opinions are based on personal knowledge and access to auction results. Dealers were advised that this vehicle was properly repaired.
We contacted several Dodge dealers in North Carolina in order to establish how these repairs and the resultant repair history would impact this vehicle’s Fair Market Value (FMV.) Dealers were provided with an evaluation of the vehicle’s condition both prior and subsequent to repairs.
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA LICENSED AUTOMOBILE APPRAISER
Description of damage: Disabling collision damages to the Front and Rear with damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $18,030.43. LKQ (used) and/or aftermarket parts were not utilized in the repair/not factored in to the diminished value.
The average of six (6) deductions was 36.25%. This is the percentage of Diminished Value to be taken from the FMV at the time of loss.
We established that the above captioned vehicle had a Fair Market Value (Average Trade-In Value) of approximately $25,000.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $9,062.50.
Click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
After making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@autodiminishedvalue.comTESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, High Point, Greenville, Asheville, Concord, Gastonia, Jacksonville, Chapel Hill, Rocky Mount, Burlington, Huntersville, Wilson and throughout North Carolina. auto appraiser near 27603, auto appraiser near 27604, auto appraiser near 27606, auto appraiser near 27610, auto appraiser near 27615, auto appraiser near 27616, auto appraiser near Raleigh
This is an Open Education resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company READ MORE ARTICLES…
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a Mercedes-Benz GLA250 AWD SUV with 11,504 miles that was involved in a front-end collision that caused $7,417.91 in damage. The vehicle was disabled/towed, had no structural damage and no air bag deployment. The claimant hired an independent auto appraiser and made a third-party inherent auto diminished value claim for the vehicle’s loss in value.
Each week we report on the most informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a Volkswagen Golf R Navigation with 9,000 miles that was involved in a Rear-end collision that caused $1,368.40 in damage. The vehicle was not disabled/towed, had no structural damage and no air bag deployment. The claimant hired an independent auto appraiser and made a third-party inherent auto diminished value claim for the vehicle’s loss in value. Once a car is repaired after a collision, it is worth less, often much less depending on the severity of the damage. Regardless of how well the repairer did his job, nobody will pay as much for a previously wrecked car as they would for an identical one that was never in an accident. Presenting a diminished value claim and following it through to a satisfactory conclusion is a daunting task for the average person. Obtaining a comprehensive Diminished Value Report is key.
WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
We learned from these examples from sales managers at Volkswagen dealerships in the Dallas area – One dealer said that with less than 2k worth of damage if repaired at reputable collision company maybe 4k in diminished value. Another dealer explained that if there is no air bags or frame damage and if repairs were done and look good a good 10% would be the loss that he would guess.
The opinions of six unbiased professional sales managers at recognized new car dealerships form the basis for the most comprehensive Auto Diminished Value Appraisal available. We obtain six of them to validate the diminished value report prepared by The St. Lucie Appraisal Company. This is what the car owner will experience in the real world. LICENSED ADJUSTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS
The six dealers providing opinions regarding diminished value were given information specific to this vehicle including year, make, model, mileage, pre-accident condition, color, options, any other pertinent equipment, date of loss as well as the nature of the repaired damages and the manner in which the vehicle was repaired. Dealer opinions are based on personal knowledge and access to auction results. Dealers were advised that this vehicle was properly repaired.
We contacted several Volkswagen dealers in Dallas to establish how these repairs and the resultant repair history would impact this vehicle’s Fair Market Value (FMV). Dealers were provided with an evaluation of the vehicle’s condition both prior and subsequent to repairs.
A Diminished Value Claim in Dallas, Texas
Description of damage: Non-disabling collision damages to the Rear with no damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $1,368.40. LKQ (used) and/or aftermarket parts were not utilized in the repair/not factored in to the diminished value.
The average of six (6) deductions was 10.66%. This is the percentage of Diminished Value to be taken from the FMV at the time of loss.
We established that the above captioned vehicle had a Fair Market Value (Average Trade-In Value) of approximately $35,000.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $3,731.00
Click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
After making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@autodiminishedvalue.comTESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, Laredo, Lubbock, Garland, Irving, Amarillo, Grand Prairie, Brownsville, Pasadena, McKinney, Mesquite, Killeen, Frisco, McAllen, Waco, Carrollton, Midland, Denton, Abilene, Beaumont, Odessa, Round Rock, Wichita Falls, Richardson, Lewisville, The Woodlands, Tyler, Pearland, College Station, San Angelo, Allen, League City, Sugar Land, Longview, Mission, Edinburg, Bryan, Baytown, Pharr, Temple, Missouri City, Flower Mound and throughout Texas.
Anderson, Andrews, Angelina, Aransas, Archer, Armstrong, Atascosa, Austin, Bailey, Bandera, Bastrop, Baylor, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Borden, Bosque, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brewster, Briscoe, Brooks, Brown, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Callahan, Cameron, Camp, Carson, Cass, Castro, Chambers, Cherokee, Childress, Clay, Cochran, Coke, Coleman, Collin, Collingsworth, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Cottle, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Culberson, Dallam, Dallas, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Delta, Denton, DeWitt, Dickens, Dimmit, Donley, Duval, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, Ellis, El Paso, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Gaines, Galveston, Garza, Gillespie, Glasscock, Goliad, Gonzales, Gray, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hale, Hall, Hamilton, Hansford, Hardeman, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hays, Hemphill, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hockley, Hood, Hopkins, Houston, Howard, Hudspeth, Hunt, Hutchinson, Irion, Jack, Jackson, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Johnson, Jones, Karnes, Kaufman, Kendall, Kenedy, Kent, Kerr, Kimble, King, Kinney, Kleberg, Knox, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, La Salle, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Lipscomb, Live Oak, Llano, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, McCulloch, McLennan, McMullen, Madison, Marion, Martin, Mason, Matagorda, Maverick, Medina, Menard, Midland, Milam, Mills, Mitchell, Montague, Montgomery, Moore, Morris, Motley, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nolan, Nueces, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Parmer, Pecos, Polk, Potter, Presidio, Rains, Randall, Reagan, Real, Red River, Reeves, Refugio, Roberts, Robertson, Rockwall, Runnels, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, San Saba, Schleicher, Scurry, Shackelford, Shelby, Sherman, Smith, Somervell, Starr, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Swisher, Tarrant, Taylor, Terrell, Terry, Throckmorton, Titus, Tom Green, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Ward, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Winkler, Wise, Wood, Yoakum, Young, Zapata and Zavala Counties. auto appraiser near 75052, auto appraiser near 75211, auto appraiser near 75217, auto appraiser near 75228, auto appraiser near 75243
This is an Open Education Resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. This article details the diminished value appraisal of a Toyota Highlander Limited 2WD SUV with 28,758 miles that was involved in a Left Rear collision that caused $11,028.44 in damage. The vehicle was disabled/towed, had structural damage and no air bag deployment. The claimant hired an independent auto appraiser and made a third-party inherent auto diminished value claim for the vehicle’s loss in value. Once a car is repaired after a collision, it is worth less, often much less depending on the severity of the damage. Regardless of how well the repairer did his job, nobody will pay as much for a previously wrecked car as they would for an identical one that was never in an accident. Presenting a diminished value claim and following it through to a satisfactory conclusion is a daunting task for the average person. Obtaining a comprehensive Diminished Value Report is key.
WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
We learned from these examples from sales managers at Toyota dealerships in East Texas – One dealer said we won’t resell because it’s a liability so typically a loss of 30%-50% ballpark. Another dealer explained you’re looking at more than half the value in that situation, should’ve been totaled if there was GAP at least it could’ve been paid off.
The opinions of six unbiased professional sales managers at recognized Toyota dealerships form the basis for the most comprehensive Auto Diminished Value Appraisal available. We obtain six of them to validate the diminished value report prepared by AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM. This is what the car owner will experience in the real world. LICENSED ADJUSTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS
The six dealers providing opinions regarding diminished value were given information specific to this vehicle including year, make, model, mileage, pre-accident condition, color, options, any other pertinent equipment, date of loss as well as the nature of the repaired damages and the manner in which the vehicle was repaired. Dealer opinions are based on personal knowledge and access to auction results. Dealers were advised that this vehicle was properly repaired.
We contacted several Toyota dealers in East Texas to establish how these repairs and the resultant repair history would impact this vehicle’s Fair Market Value (FMV). Dealers were provided with an evaluation of the vehicle’s condition both prior and subsequent to repairs.
Description of damage: Disabling collision damages to the Left Rear with damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $11,028.44. LKQ (used) and/or aftermarket parts were utilized in the repair/not factored in to the diminished value.
The average of six (6) deductions was 40.83%. This is the percentage of Diminished Value to be taken from the FMV at the time of loss.
We established that the above captioned vehicle had a Fair Market Value (Average Trade-In Value) of approximately $30,000.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $12,249.00
Click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
After making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@autodiminishedvalue.comTESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus Christi, Plano, Laredo, Lubbock, Garland, Irving, Amarillo, Grand Prairie, Brownsville, Pasadena, McKinney, Mesquite, Killeen, Frisco, McAllen, Waco, Carrollton, Midland, Denton, Abilene, Beaumont, Odessa, Round Rock, Wichita Falls, Richardson, Lewisville, The Woodlands, Tyler, Pearland, College Station, San Angelo, Allen, League City, Sugar Land, Longview, Mission, Edinburg, Bryan, Baytown, Pharr, Temple, Missouri City, Flower Mound and throughout Texas
Anderson, Andrews, Angelina, Aransas, Archer, Armstrong, Atascosa, Austin, Bailey, Bandera, Bastrop, Baylor, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Borden, Bosque, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brewster, Briscoe, Brooks, Brown, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Calhoun, Callahan, Cameron, Camp, Carson, Cass, Castro, Chambers, Cherokee, Childress, Clay, Cochran, Coke, Coleman, Collin, Collingsworth, Colorado, Comal, Comanche, Concho, Cooke, Coryell, Cottle, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Culberson, Dallam, Dallas, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Delta, Denton, DeWitt, Dickens, Dimmit, Donley, Duval, Eastland, Ector, Edwards, Ellis, El Paso, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Fisher, Floyd, Foard, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Gaines, Galveston, Garza, Gillespie, Glasscock, Goliad, Gonzales, Gray, Grayson, Gregg, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hale, Hall, Hamilton, Hansford, Hardeman, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hartley, Haskell, Hays, Hemphill, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hockley, Hood, Hopkins, Houston, Howard, Hudspeth, Hunt, Hutchinson, Irion, Jack, Jackson, Jasper, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Johnson, Jones, Karnes, Kaufman, Kendall, Kenedy, Kent, Kerr, Kimble, King, Kinney, Kleberg, Knox, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, La Salle, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Lipscomb, Live Oak, Llano, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, McCulloch, McLennan, McMullen, Madison, Marion, Martin, Mason, Matagorda, Maverick, Medina, Menard, Midland, Milam, Mills, Mitchell, Montague, Montgomery, Moore, Morris, Motley, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nolan, Nueces, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Parmer, Pecos, Polk, Potter, Presidio, Rains, Randall, Reagan, Real, Red River, Reeves, Refugio, Roberts, Robertson, Rockwall, Runnels, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, San Saba, Schleicher, Scurry, Shackelford, Shelby, Sherman, Smith, Somervell, Starr, Stephens, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Swisher, Tarrant, Taylor, Terrell, Terry, Throckmorton, Titus, Tom Green, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Ward, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Wheeler, Wichita, Wilbarger, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Winkler, Wise, Wood, Yoakum, Young, Zapata and Zavala Counties. auto appraiser near 75007, auto appraiser near 75028, auto appraiser near 75056, auto appraiser near 75067, auto appraiser near 75068, auto appraiser near 76210
This is an Open Education resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company READ MORE ARTICLES…
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe with 16,596 miles that was involved in a Rear-end collision that caused $15,412.11 in damage. The vehicle was disabled/towed, had structural damage and no air bag deployment.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a Dodge Challenger SXT Plus with 1,700 Miles that was involved in a front and rear-end collision that caused $18,000.00 in damage.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a Chevrolet Impala LS with 27,123 miles that was involved in a Rear End Collision that caused $7,183.15 in damage.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a Tesla X P100D 4 Door Wagon with 3,500 miles that was involved in a Rear End Collision that caused $17,891.52 in damage.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a Lexus ESh Sedan with 42,822 miles that was involved in a rear-end collision that caused $16,729.75 in damage.
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. This article details the diminished value appraisal of a BMW 330i Sedan with 9,942 miles that was involved in a left side collision that caused $19,686.01 in damage.
Turn “Bad Carfax” Trade-Ins into New Car Sales – How Diminished Value Claims Can Save the Deal
The Challenge
Many trade-ins come with an accident history, often cutting $10,000+ off their trade-in value. Most customers walk away, and the dealership loses the sale.
But if the accident was another driver’s fault, your customer may be entitled to recover diminished value from the at-fault insurer. The outcome depends on how they pursue the claim.
Three Possible Scenarios
Accept the Insurance Company’s Offer
• Insurer pays a low settlement
• Typical recovery: $0 – $1,500
• Customer reaction: Still out most of the $10,000 loss
• Odds of buying new car: Low
Weak Diminished Value Appraisal
• Customer hires an appraiser who relies on formulas, book values, or online ads
• Insurance companies often dispute these reports
• Typical recovery: ~$4,000
• Customer reaction: Partial recovery, not enough to feel whole
• Odds of buying new car: Maybe
Strong Independent Appraisal
• Customer hires a firm like The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
• Methodology: Combines expert opinion with trade-in values from six new car dealerships
• Appraiser acts as advocate in disputes to maximize settlement
• Typical recovery: $7,000 – $10,000
• Customer reaction: Closer to full recovery of $10,000 loss
• Odds of buying new car: High
Why Dealers Should Care
• Customers with accident-history trade-ins often feel stuck
• Guiding them toward credible appraisers helps them recover more and return to buy
• Builds trust, loyalty, and stronger sales opportunities
Choosing the Right Independent Appraiser
When recommending an appraiser, make sure they:
A. Are licensed in any state as an auto appraiser or adjuster — not just “certified” by a private organization
B. Offer services nationwide for broader expertise
C. Have excellent consumer reviews across all platforms
D. Do not also work for insurance companies, to avoid conflicts of interest
E. Avoid appraisers, such as some public adjusters, who take a percentage of the recovery rather than a flat fee, as this can inherently cast doubt on the credibility of the report
The Takeaway
Helping your customers recover diminished value isn’t just good for them – it’s good for your dealership
A smarter way for sales managers to turn “bad Carfax” trade-ins into closed deals
When customers recover more… they buy more
WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
Then click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
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The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is a family-owned appraisal company that offers nationwide service.We provide Diminished Value Appraisals, Automobile Valuations for total losses, financing, underwriting, estates, bankruptcies, donations and Loss of Use Reports.This is an Open Education Resource focused on auto diminished value, motor vehicle valuations, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.
Turn “Bad Carfax” Trade-Ins into New Car Sales – How Diminished Value Claims Can Save the Deal
The Challenge
Three Possible Scenarios
Accept the Insurance Company’s Offer
Low
Weak Diminished Value Appraisal
Maybe
Strong Independent Appraisal
High
Why Dealers Should Care
Choosing the Right Independent Appraiser
The Takeaway