What is diminished value? This newly coined term is most often applied to the reduction in value of a car or truck after collision damages have been repaired. Regardless of how well the repairs were done, used car buyers would rather purchase an automobile with no accident history, thereby making the previously repaired vehicle worth less than its counterpart.
Auto Diminished Value
Fullerton Diminished Value
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a Lexus IS350 Sedan with 21,832 miles that was involved in a Front-end collision that caused $26,942.00 in damage. The vehicle was disabled/towed, had structural damage and 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 Lexus dealerships in Southern California – One dealer said that there definitely would be a loss could be as much as 45% of the cars value something of this nature would 9 times out of 10 go right to auction. Another dealer explained that if this were a $100,000 car you may only be offered now only 50- 60k for it because of the large amount of damage and the airbags and frame being damaged due to the wreck itself. Once they disclose to buyers they either walk away or expect to pay half of retail.
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.
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 Lexus dealers in Southern California 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 Fullerton, California
Description of damage: Disabling collision damages to the Front including damage to structural components and air bag deployment. Repair cost $26,942.00. 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 44.17%. 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 $32,000.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $14,134.40
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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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
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SOUND DIMINISHED VALUE ADVICE
TESLA OWNER: In California you cannot claim Diminished Value (DV) against your own insurance company unless it is specifically written into the policy (I would imagine a high percentage of policies do not include DV). I went through a DV claim a few months ago. I was rear ended while stopped at a traffic signal and the at fault parties’ insurance (Nationwide) accepted responsibility. The damage was limited to the bumper cover and was less than $2,000.00 to repair. As we all know, the fact that the vehicle now has an accident on file is what lowers the value. Accidents with greater damage can increase the amount DV. The first thing I did was get a DV appraisal from https://tesladiminishedvalue.com for $350.00. I found that site through suggestions on Tesla Motors Club. The report was completed in about one week. Once completed, I sent the report along with the included demand letter over to Nationwide. It was almost immediately rejected. I contacted the at fault party and informed them that their insurance company rejected the claim and my only recourse would be small claims court, unless they could get Nationwide to pay the DV. Nationwide contacted me and asked that I not contact their client. I told them essentially that they needed to indemnify their client or I would sue. They did not change their stance. It is to be noted that you can file a complaint with the California Department of Insurance. However, my research suggested this would fruitless and a waste of time since they cannot legally make the insurance company pay the DV. Ultimately, I filed a small claims case within my county. It was much easier than I thought it would be.
A few things to note:
1. You can only sue the at fault party, and cannot sue the insurance company
2. The maximum amount for small claims court in California is $10,000.00 if you are suing an individual, and only $5,000.00 if you are suing a business. Anything higher and you will need to file a civil case which will increase court costs and may require an attorney.
3. The process for filing the claim was pretty easy using an automated program on the court’s website.
4. Court cost was around $80.00 to file the case. I paid an additional $55.00 to have a process server actually serve the at fault party and another $45.00 to have the server file the proof of service with the court. I never had to leave my house. I filed the small claims case online and made a phone call to the process server company. It was much easier than I thought.
5. Court was simple. No lawyers allowed in small claims court in California. The at fault party stipulated to being at fault, so I didn’t have to argue that portion. I brought the DV report, my email exchanges with nationwide and the at fault party, and screen shots of my phone records for the calls I made with them. The judge looked at the Diminished Value report and the at fault party argued that it should be less and that I hadn’t “realized” the DV because I didn’t sell the vehicle. The judge stated the vehicle did not need to be sold for the DV to be realized.
6. The judge ultimately ruled in my favor and I was awarded the DV. The at fault parties’ insurance company called me a day or two later and wanted to confirm my address prior to mailing me my check.
Some things I learned:
1. Get the DV report soon after the accident. I waited a while and the value of my car lowered in that 9-month time frame. It was hard for the judge to identify what the value of my vehicle would have been worth at the time of the accident. Ultimately, I was happy with the judgment awarded, but it was a little less than what I filed my claim for.
2. You have 3 years from the date of the accident to file the small claims case.
3. Insurance companies will flat out lie and tell you that DV does not exist in your state and feed a bunch of other lies as well. Do not believe them.
4. Do not waste time going back and forth. Move from requesting the DV and them denying it to immediately filing the small claims case. I only spent about 3 weeks, but I wish I had done it sooner. Some people go back and forth for months (No thanks).
5. If the at fault parties’ insurance still does not pay after the judgment, then the at fault party will need to turn around and sue their own insurance to recoup their loss. Theoretically, it would be a simple case for them to win.
6. Civil jury instruction 3903J within California specifically outlines Diminished Value In other words, clearly DV exists in California since there are literal instructions for a jury on the matter.
7. The judge did not include the $350.00 I paid for the report in his judgment, but did include the court fees.
I know this is lengthy, but I hope it helps someone out. Based on my research here on Tesla Motors Club and online there are a lot posts about Diminished Value, but not a clear explanation on filing one from start to finish. Obtaining the DV report was a $350.00 gamble, but in my case it was worth it. Good luck to all of you who took the time to read this!
*I am not a lawyer. I am passionate on this subject since I feel like insurance companies are more than happy to take money for premiums and then will fight tooth and nail to deny or minimize claims. I understand it is a “for profit” business, but I cannot stand them denying legitimate claims.
QUESTION: Who did you use to get the DV report?
TESLA OWNER: I used https://tesladiminshedvalue.com It’s a website used by the St. Lucie Appraisal Company. The report was thorough and I received it about a week after payment. I found their website on Tesla Motors Club. Best of luck!
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Click on the payment buttons below. The fee for an exotic car Automobile Diminished Value Report is $350.00. The fee for an exotic car Loss of Use Report is $225.00. You can also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.Before making your secure payment please email the completed body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@tesladiminishedvalue.com
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Auto Diminished Value Case in Small Claims Court
NOTE: This article is intended as a guide and not as a form of legal advice.
Among the various and many articles that have been written about automobile diminished value, there are but a scant few that describe what happens when an irate claimant decides to become a plaintiff and escalates his claim into small claims court. Of course, there are many diminished value losses that exceed the $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 limit – each state has different thresholds – of this venue but for this article we will examine diminished value in small claims court. Small Claims Court is a special court where individuals, representing themselves, resolve disputes quickly and inexpensively in an informal setting. The person who sues is the plaintiff; the person who is sued is the defendant. In small claims court, you may ask a lawyer for advice before you go to court, but you cannot have a lawyer in court. Again, different state laws apply.
The St. Lucie Appraisal Company had occasion to prepare an automobile diminished value report for a client, but not before he had made a few mistakes. The gentleman owned a Honda Pilot which was damaged by a negligent driver who was insured with Safeco Insurance. After having his 3,900 mile vehicle repaired for $1,446.13, not a great deal of damage, he filed an automobile diminished value claim against Safeco. He presented as evidence of diminution, a document from his Honda dealer which stated that his vehicle, due to its now having a bad Carfax, was worth $4,000.00 less.
Insurance companies in general have become sophisticated in recognizing what types of claimants they are dealing with when it comes to diminished value. This claimant did not seek out an independent appraiser, rather, he decided to forgo the cost and present his case armed with a letter from his Honda dealer. Safeco, in turn, likely categorized him as someone who would not cause them any trouble; as might someone who would spring for the cost of an independent appraisal. Insurers take the same approach when claimants present them with the low-cost types of diminished value appraisals found on the internet. Safeco denied his diminished value claim, offering him absolutely nothing, not even a token few hundred dollars as many insurers typically do.
That’s when our client contacted us to prepare an automobile diminished value report. Our appraisal, which was done on the basis of six quotes obtained from area Honda dealers to confirm our opinion, came to $2,000.00. With the appraisal in hand, he then contacted his attorney who filed a small claims action against the defendant vehicle owner in civil court. We were again contracted to appear as an expert witness to defend our findings.
When Bringing a Diminished Value Lawsuit to Small Claims Court, Be Prepared to Win
Safeco brought it’s own defense team that included an expert witness. Their expert witness did not produce an appraisal based on dealer quotes – their contention was, repairs having been done to industry standards, that diminished value did not exist.
We were questioned by both the plaintiff’s and defendant’s attorneys before the judge rendered his decision. Objections of hearsay are common and you or your counsel must be prepared to meet that if you are to get the full benefit of the report. One of the questions asked by Safeco’s attorney was whether our diminished value report was biased. The answer was no and it was a truthful answer. When The St. Lucie Appraisal Company prepares an automobile diminished value report, we present the facts to the dealers queried exactly as they are. The year, make, model, options condition and color of the subject vehicle as well as the specific damages that were repaired. All of the dealers queried are informed that the subject vehicle is not available for purchase or trade, therefore none of the dealers queried had any vested interest in the subject vehicle. The results of our inquiries speak for themselves. We neither add nor subtract any opinions of our own, nor do we attempt to skew results in favor of our clients.
Our appraisal fee is $275.00 and the cost to hire us as an expert witness is $675.00. Our client’s’s attorney fees were in the neighborhood of $1,000.00. However, he was so put off by the cavalier treatment he received from Safeco, he decided to risk spending the additional monies in order to extract a fair settlement from the insurer.
In the end, the magistrate agreed with our appraisal and also with the fact that compensation for diminished value was due even though the claimant had no intention of selling his vehicle. In addition to awarding the claimant $2,000.00 in diminished value, the judge ruled that Safeco should also pay all of the claimant’s appraisal, expert witness and legal fees. It was a bad day for the insurance company seeing as they were also on the hook for payment of their own defense costs, but it took the fervor of the claimant – his David vs. Goliath mentality – to put all of that in motion.
Our client’s attorney could not seek any punitive damages even though evidence of unfair claim practices existed. Perhaps in the future, when more Davids summon the courage to challenge Goliaths, all 50 states will adopt uniform laws that require fair and equitable treatment by insurers in automobile diminished value cases. Penalties for ignoring an obvious fact – that automobile diminished value does exist – may someday be imposed upon predatory insurance companies. On this day it was sweet vindication for our client and, hopefully, a warning for insurers to start walking a straighter line when presented with claims involving automobile diminished value.
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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
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.
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YOUR CAR WAS WRECKED AND REPAIRED.WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?
If the crash was the someone else’s fault, you can file a diminished value claim to recover your car’s loss in value.
The terminology for this type of claim is a Third-Party Inherent Auto Diminished Value Claim. It is part of the overall claim that can include Bodily Injury, Collision, Loss of Use, etc. With a Collision Claim, the cost of a fender is known (although insurance companies will try to stick you with cheaper aftermarket or used ones) and the labor and paint times are fixed. With a Loss of Use Claim, the amounts that car rental companies charge for comparable cars are pretty much in the same ball park. With Auto Diminished Value Claims, however, who is to determine the approximate amount a vehicle has lost in value after being fixed and now having a repair history? Which methodology should be used? Insurance companies sometimes try to deny Auto Diminished Value claims altogether despite insurmountable evidence that all cars lose value after undergoing collision repairs. A vehicle that sustained structural damage or air bag deployment can lose half of its value.
Auto Diminished Value is considered a “stigma” loss and opinions as to the existence and approximate amount of the loss in value differ. In the history of such claims, it is doubtful that an insurance appraiser’s assessment of a car’s loss in value has ever been higher than that of the claimant’s independent appraiser. At The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, our methodology is time-consuming but simple. We query the sales managers at multiple new car dealerships, describing the car and the repairs, they in turn will tell us how much less, typically, they would pay for the car. We obtain six of them and they are unbiased, professional opinions that confirm the validity of our numbers. A claimant should be aware that most independent appraisers do not go to these lengths, instead employing formulas, algorithms, online ad comparisons or other short cuts. We offer all prospective clients the same advice. You’ll need two things – a good appraisal and persistence. The second part of the equation is that the claimant must be pro-active and follow our suggestions such as insisting on written correspondences, escalating claims to supervisors, letting the file handler know that we are willing to speak to them, filing unfair claims practices complaints with state insurance departments, etc.
Auto Diminished Value claims can go smoothly or in the opposite direction. We rarely hear back from our clients but inevitably the ones who do call asking “what do I do next?” are the ones who don’t follow the suggestions we provide for them.
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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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
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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
ARTICLE: HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY FOR A DIMINISHED VALUE CLAIM
We recently had the pleasure of weighing in on a topic of great importance to anyone who owns a late-model car – the loss in value of your vehicle after accident repairs have been completed. It is known as auto diminished value and is the insurance industry’s most closely-guarded secret. Chicago Tribune Reporter Cathy Cunningham called with questions on the subject to which we were more than happy to respond. Read the abridged article below and feel free to call us should you, a family member or a friend find yourselves in what can turn out to be a difficult situation.
November 20, 2017 By Cathy Cunningham Dear Help Squad, I would like to file a diminished value claim in Illinois. My wife was involved in a car accident and it was not her fault. Could you tell me what I should do if I want to file it myself without hiring a lawyer? Thank you, Vladica
Since writing a column on the topic in early 2016, I’ve learned that diminished value is a frequently searched issue. So Vladica’s request for assistance offered the perfect opportunity to provide a deeper dive into the subject. For this I turned to an industry expert, Franklin Colletta, owner of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company in Fort Pierce, Florida, an auto appraisal business that specializes in assisting consumers with diminished value claims and services customers across the U.S.
Let’s begin with a basic definition. Just what is diminished value?
“Diminished value is the difference in the value of your car directly before and directly after collision repairs have been completed,” Colletta explains. He points out that once a car has been in an accident and repaired, it has a negative vehicle history report (such as through Carfax) associated with it. “Because car buyers almost always prefer to purchase cars that haven’t been in accidents, a vehicle with an accompanying damage history becomes less valuable.”
“If there was frame damage or air bag deployment [as a result of the accident] the car is worth a lot less,” he adds.
In Illinois, as well as in all 50 states, consumers can only file for diminished value as a third-party claim, meaning these claims must be filed against the insurance company of the person responsible for the damage. They cannot be filed with one’s own insurance provider (aka a first-party claim).
“This is important to know,” said Colletta, “because many insurance companies will try to say that Illinois case law prohibits diminished value claims. While that may be true for first-party claims, there is no case law that addresses third-party claims. Diminished value claims are covered under the property damage portion of the at-fault driver’s automobile insurance policy.”
Colletta emphasized it is not necessary to hire a lawyer to file a diminished value claim.
The claimant will then receive a response. This will either be payment in full, an attempt to negotiate a lower payout or a denial. When denied, the reason given is typically one of the following: the documentation is deemed faulty, other “evidence” is offered to suggest the loss is much lower, the insurance company hires its own “independent appraiser” to determine there is no loss, or, in some cases, the claim is unfairly denied because the damage has been properly repaired.
When I asked if there was a minimum threshold for filing a diminished value claim, Colletta explained all vehicles damaged as a result of someone else’s negligence are eligible.
Copyright © 2017, Chicago Tribune
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Click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
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After making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@autodiminishedvalue.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
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Mercedes-Benz New Car Diminished Value and Loss of Use Claims
When buyers of new but previously repaired Mercedes-Benzes become aware of a repair history showing that the car underwent prior repairs, most of them simply walk away. How is a buyer to know whether the car was repaired properly? The buying public could depend on a new dealer’s word on everything but, in reality, they don’t. They will seek a lower purchase price for the car. As a Mercedes-Benz dealer, are you entitled to recover this lost value? The answer is yes as long as the damages were as a result of someone else’s negligence. Parking lot mishaps, careless car transporters and loaner accidents all can result in repairs to your new car inventory. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company prepares expert new car diminished value appraisals every day and invite you to become our next satisfied client.
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
Insurance company claim adjusters can instantly recognize which independent appraisals will stand up in court and treat claimants accordingly when it comes to offering fair settlements. We are rarely called upon to appear as expert witnesses in legal proceedings because our clients generally receive fair settlements which means fewer civil actions. Mercedes-Benz diminished value and loss of use claims should be easily settled if appraisals are prepared correctly.
Auto Diminished Value in new cars is a fairly new concept that most dealers don’t know about so feel free to call or email us with questions.
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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.com 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
This is an Open Education Resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.
AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM, AUTOLOSSOFUSE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company.
Honda Accord Diminished Value Claim in Birmingham, Alabama
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a Honda Accord LX Sedan with 41,256 miles that was involved in a Rear-End Collision that caused $7,004.72 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 Honda dealerships in Alabama – One dealer said that Hondas hold their value pretty well but in the case of frame being compromised and accruing 7K worth of damage you may see a loss of 30% or more. Another dealer said that they would take it as a trade in but due to the bad Carfax showing frame damage you could be looking at losing 40% of the value.
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.
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 Honda dealers in Alabama 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 Birmingham, AL
Description of damage: Disabling collision damages to the Rear including damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $7,004.72. 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 35.42%. 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 $12,500.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $4,427.50
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$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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service throughout Alabama including Anniston, Athens, Auburn, Bessemer, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Enterprise, Florence, Gadsden, Hoover, Huntsville, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, Opelika, Phenix City, Prattville, Tuscaloosa and Vestavia Hills
Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Blount, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Cleburne, Coffee, Colbert, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Escambia, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Lowndes, Macon, Madison, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Saint Clair, Shelby, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, Washington, Wilcox and Winston Counties. auto appraiser near 35226, Alabama, appraiser, auto appraiser near Birmingham, Birmingham, claim, diminished value, auto appraiser near 35215, auto appraiser near 35216, auto appraiser near 35242, auto appraiser near 35244
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Torrance California Auto Diminished Value Claim
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 Rear-end collision that caused $14,108.92 in damage. The vehicle was disabled/towed, had no structural damage and no air bag deployment. The claimant hired AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM 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 MINI dealers in California – One dealer said that due to there being $14K in damages there would be a substantial loss, about 15%. Other dealers concurred that this was a typical deduction that they would take from the trade-in value.
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.
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 MINI dealers in California 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 Rear not including damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $14,108.92. 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 14.58%. 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 $4,374.00
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Stockton, Chula Vista, Irvine, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Oxnard, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Garden Grove, Oceanside, Santa Rosa, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Elk Grove, Lancaster, Corona, Palmdale, Salinas, Hayward, Pomona, Escondido, Sunnyvale, Torrance, Orange, Pasadena, Fullerton, Thousand Oaks, Visalia, Roseville, Simi Valley, Concord, Victorville, Santa Clara, Vallejo, Berkeley, El Monte, Downey, Costa Mesa, Inglewood, Carlsbad, Fairfield, Ventura, Richmond, Murrieta, Antioch, Temecula, Norwalk, Daly City, Burbank, Santa Maria, El Cajon, Rialto, San Mateo, Clovis, Jurupa Valley, Compton, Vista, Mission Viejo, South Gate, Vacaville, Carson, Santa Monica, Arden-Arcade, Hesperia, Westminster, Redding, Santa Barbara, San Marcos, Chico, San Leandro, Newport Beach, Whittier, Hawthorne, Citrus Heights, Livermore, Tracy, Alhambra, Indio, Menifee, Buena Park, Hemet, Lakewood, Merced, Chino, Redwood City, Lake Forest, Napa, Tustin, Mountain View, Bellflower, Baldwin Park, Alameda, Upland, San Ramon, Pleasanton and throughout California.
Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba Counties. auto appraiser near 90501, auto appraiser near 90503, auto appraiser near 90505
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
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A Toyota Diminished Value Claim in Hialeah, Florida
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a Toyota Scion tC 2 Door Hatchback with 30,952 miles that was involved in a Rear-end collision that caused $2,109.18 in damage. The vehicle was not disabled/towed, had structural damage and no air bag deployment. The claimant hired AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM 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 South Florida – One dealer said that when the car has frame damage that is never good and off the top of his head they have taken deductions as low as 30% all the way to 50%. Another dealer explained with frame damage on the Carfax they would not be able to offer full book value and would have to sell for a lot less if was fixed correctly and looks good you may only see a loss of 30-40% of value possibly more at other dealerships.
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.
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 South Florida 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 Hialeah, FloridaDescription of damage: Non-disabling collision damages to the Rear including damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $2,019.18. 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 36.67%. 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 $12,500.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $4,583.75
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service in Altamonte Springs, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Clearwater, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs, Davie, Daytona Beach, Delray Beach, Deltona, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Gainesville, Hialeah, Hollywood, Homestead, Jacksonville, Jupiter, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Largo, Lauderhill, Margate, Melbourne, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Miramar, North Port, Ocala, Orlando, Palm Bay, Pembroke Pines, Pensacola, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Port Orange, Port St. Lucie, St. Petersburg, Sanford, Stuart, Sunrise, Tallahassee, Tamarac, Tampa, Vero Beach, Wellington, Weston and throughout Florida
Alachua, Baker, Bay ,Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, De Soto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton and Washington Counties. This auto appraisal was in the vicinity of 33012, 33015, 33016 and 33018.
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
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Automobile Diminished Value Appraisal in Anaheim, California
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. This commentary concerns the diminished value appraisal of an Audi A7 Prestige Quattro with 17,403 miles that was involved in a rear-end collision that caused $26,606.79 in damage. The vehicle was disabled/towed, had structural damage and had 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 Audi dealerships in Southern California – One dealer explained that frame damage on a 2017 on top of 26K worth of damage would be a highly significant loss around 45-50%. The car would most likely go right to auction no matter where you traded. Another dealer said that typically when there is frame damage you could be looking at losing a minimum around 35% but if you also had air bags and more than $20,000 in damage you could be looking at losing 40-50%.
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.
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 Porsche dealers in Southern California 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 Appraisal in Anaheim California
Description of damage: Disabling collision damages to the Rear including damage to structural components and air bag deployment. Repair cost $26,606.79. 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 42.50%. 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 $52,000.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $22,100.00
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Stockton, Chula Vista, Irvine, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Oxnard, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Garden Grove, Oceanside, Santa Rosa, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Elk Grove, Lancaster, Corona, Palmdale, Salinas, Hayward, Pomona, Escondido, Sunnyvale, Torrance, Orange, Pasadena, Fullerton, Thousand Oaks, Visalia, Roseville, Simi Valley, Concord, Victorville, Santa Clara, Vallejo, Berkeley, El Monte, Downey, Costa Mesa, Inglewood, Carlsbad, Fairfield, Ventura, Richmond, Murrieta, Antioch, Temecula, Norwalk, Daly City, Burbank, Santa Maria, El Cajon, Rialto, San Mateo, Clovis, Jurupa Valley, Compton, Vista, Mission Viejo, South Gate, Vacaville, Carson, Santa Monica, Arden-Arcade, Hesperia, Westminster, Redding, Santa Barbara, San Marcos, Chico, San Leandro, Newport Beach, Whittier, Hawthorne, Citrus Heights, Livermore, Tracy, Alhambra, Indio, Menifee, Buena Park, Hemet, Lakewood, Merced, Chino, Redwood City, Lake Forest, Napa, Tustin, Mountain View, Bellflower, Baldwin Park, Alameda, Upland, San Ramon, Pleasanton and throughout California.
Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba Counties. car appraisal near 92683, car appraisal near 92704, car appraisal near 92804
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
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A Kia Diminished Value Claim in San Diego, California
Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a Kia Optima SXL Sedan with 24,016 miles that was involved in a Left Side Collision that caused $11,414.69 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 Kia dealerships in Southern California – Typically in most cases but not all, there may be a reduction of 10-20% loss when it comes to something minor. Also, if you try and trade it in you may lose 10% at least off the book. And, normally the loss would be based on what is on the report and if you had it repaired and it looks good , if there is only minor damage reported maybe a 10%-15% loss at most.
The opinions of six unbiased professionals 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.
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 Kia dealers in California 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 Kia Diminished Value Claim in San Diego, California
Description of damage: Non-disabling collision damages to the Left Side not including damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $11,414.69. 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 12.50%. 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 $17,500.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $2,187.50
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Stockton, Chula Vista, Irvine, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Oxnard, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Garden Grove, Oceanside, Santa Rosa, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Elk Grove, Lancaster, Corona, Palmdale, Salinas, Hayward, Pomona, Escondido, Sunnyvale, Torrance, Orange, Pasadena, Fullerton, Thousand Oaks, Visalia, Roseville, Simi Valley, Concord, Victorville, Santa Clara, Vallejo, Berkeley, El Monte, Downey, Costa Mesa, Inglewood, Carlsbad, Fairfield, Ventura, Richmond, Murrieta, Antioch, Temecula, Norwalk, Daly City, Burbank, Santa Maria, El Cajon, Rialto, San Mateo, Clovis, Jurupa Valley, Compton, Vista, Mission Viejo, South Gate, Vacaville, Carson, Santa Monica, Arden-Arcade, Hesperia, Westminster, Redding, Santa Barbara, San Marcos, Chico, San Leandro, Newport Beach, Whittier, Hawthorne, Citrus Heights, Livermore, Tracy, Alhambra, Indio, Menifee, Buena Park, Hemet, Lakewood, Merced, Chino, Redwood City, Lake Forest, Napa, Tustin, Mountain View, Bellflower, Baldwin Park, Alameda, Upland, San Ramon, Pleasanton and throughout California
Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Placer, Plumas, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba Counties. This auto appraisal was in the vicinity of 92106.
This is an Open Education Resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.
AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM, AUTOLOSSOFUSE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company.
INSURANCE CLAIMS ADVICE ON REDDIT?
This article explores a world where wild opinions often masquerade as facts. Online talk lists such as Reddit and Twitter aim to present balanced dialogue. Through a careful study of this shared information, we feel empowered to make decisions – sometimes, very important ones. However, many of these seemingly innocent places have their hidden agendas. With regard to insurance claims and the complications all of us discover while navigating those treacherous waters, news of a positive outcome or a helpful hint would be welcome. However, posts that are helpful to consumers but not so much to insurance companies mysteriously disappear. It would be unwise to base critical decisions on the information allowed to appear in Reddit; in this case, their r/insurance group.
Most discussion groups are overseen by moderators. These ladies, gentlemen and bots are the sole judges of what comments “fit” and which are removed. We see examples of selective editing every day in our news feeds. Each source of information edits and amends content according to the specific policies with which they are aligned.
SEARCH OUR DATABASE OF AUTO DIMINISHED VALUE REPORTS
Before making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@autodiminishedvalue.com
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, 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
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Google Auto Diminished Value Appraiser
By Franklin Colletta
A Google search for an Auto Diminished Value Appraiser will produce a massive number of results. A Bing search will yield similar finds. How is a consumer to determine which, in this sea of Independent Appraisers, will benefit them in pursuing and receiving fair compensation for their vehicle’s loss in value after accident repairs? It is common knowledge that cars and trucks lose value once they have acquired a repair history, sometimes referred to as a bad Carfax. Determining the amount of value lost, however, is a subjective process. It is the car owners responsibility to prove that inherent diminished value occurred. The following are the questions that they can ask before hiring an appraiser.
THE APPRAISER’S METHODOLOGY – Methodologies used to determine a car’s diminished value vary. From Formulas such as the widely-discredited Rule 17C to the numerous Algorithms that are derivatives of those formulas – to online ad or book value comparisons. All of these short-cut procedures lead to increased chances of outright claim denials. Ask a prospective independent appraisal candidate to explain how they arrive at their figures. At AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM, our methodology is unique because we are the only Independent Appraisal firm carrying out actual research. This involves numerous conversations with the sales managers at recognized new car dealerships. It generates real-world evidence. The subject vehicle is described in detail. Its pre-accident condition and the damages that were repaired are discussed. The six sales managers will provide their unbiased professional opinions of how much less they would typically pay for a similar car. Obtaining six impartial estimations from experts in the field of buying and selling cars provides the probative evidence necessary to prevail in receiving fair compensation.
IS THE APPRAISER ALSO AN ADVOCATE? – Insurance companies will inevitably low-ball or even deny claims applying misdirection or false and unacceptable grounds. Skillful guidance should be offered whenever necessary. Simply providing an appraisal without support leaves the consumer to venture into unfamiliar territory alone. Is the appraiser willing to speak to an insurance adjuster on the client’s behalf? Inquire as to how long the Independent Appraiser will assist with the claim.
DOES THE APPRAISER ALSO WORK FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES? – Loyalty to a consumer isn’t implied. If an Independent Appraisal firm also courts insurance company work, competing interests often arise. An account with a large insurer would be more lucrative than with one car owner. An inherent conflict of interest as to their allegiance exists so it is important to ask who they do business with.
IS THE APPRAISER AN ACCREDITED EXPERT WITNESS? – Inquire whether the Independent Appraiser has provided sworn testimony in a court of law. Experience testifying in Small Claims Court, Circuit Civil Court and Federal Court is preferred. A rule of thumb: More experience in the legal arena = greatly reduced chances of being tripped up by insurance company defense attorneys.
REVIEWS ARE IMPORTANT – Not only do online reviews validate an Independent Appraiser’s integrity, they also shed light on the level of service they provide. It is wise for consumers to practice due diligence before blindly selecting one of the heavily advertised companies found in Google searches. While many company web sites include customer reviews, numerous review sites such as Google Maps, BBB and Yelp usually yield relevant reporting. The more one-star reviews found, the less-trustworthy the company.
ARE THEY AVAILABILE? – Does the Independent Appraisal firm answer their phone or do customers have to wait a week for a reply to their voice mails? It is not only frustrating and a waste of time, lack of a timely response can lead to resultant delays in the claim being settled quickly. While Independent Appraisers may seem accessible before being hired, will they continue to be so after they have been paid?
THE APPRAISER’S CREDENTIALS – Although no licensure is necessary to prepare Auto Diminished Value Appraisals, except in North Carolina, a government-issued automobile appraiser’s license from any state is the strongest credential for an expert in the field. This is especially true when litigation is involved. While there are numerous privately-run organizations that charge a yearly fee to “certify” auto appraisers, this certification typically isn’t recognized as a valid standard for proficiency and reliability. Are they licensed or merely certified or neither?
Frequently, Auto Diminished Value Appraisers are recommended by auto collision shops, attorneys or word of mouth. “Let the buyer beware” is a common principle. Inherent Auto Diminished Value claims are most often in the thousands of dollars so choosing wisely is of paramount importance. Ask pointed questions of the appraiser and hire the firm that you are comfortable with. Simply stated, obtaining fair compensation from an insurance company is the only objective.
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM
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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
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
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UNFAIR CLAIM PRACTICES IN AUTOMOBILE DIMINISHED VALUE CASES
A State Insurance Department that does not communicate transparently and thoroughly with its residents, in this case, to motor vehicle owners, doesn’t represent them effectively. As an agency that operates using taxpayer dollars, it’s important that they keep people like you and I informed on automobile diminished value and how it affects all of us. Each month, Insurance Departments in all 50 states publish newsletters that inform us of news and developments that could affect our lives but none of these bulletins have touched on automobile diminished value, the insurance industry’s most closely guarded secret. This article discusses unfair claim practices complaints involving diminished value. A consumer has the absolute right to make an automobile diminished value complaint.
As most of us know, one of the State Insurance Department’s main priorities are to rid their states of fraud, waste, and abuse. They do that in a variety of ways, but typically through the Division of Insurance Fraud, the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, and the Office of Fiscal Integrity. These offices work to catch perpetrators who commit acts of insurance fraud, criminals who intentionally set fires to collect insurance money or to cover up a larger crime, and those who cheat or steal state dollars. But what about insurance companies who regularly perpetrate fraud upon the citizens of our country on a daily basis? Isn’t it also the job of our Insurance Departments to protect us against these abuses?
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
Consumers in every state have made complaints against insurers for unfair claim practices in claims regarding automobile diminished value. Most states prohibit diminished value claims in first-party incidents but when the accident was the fault of another driver, making claims for third-party diminished value are allowed.
It is abundantly clear to everyone by now that vehicles repaired after wrecks are worth less than previously undamaged cars of the same type. In instances where structural damages were repaired, when air bags deployed or when cars were disabled and had to be towed, the loss in value is greater.
For many years, insurance companies tried to convince claimants that their cars, if repaired back to factory specifications, did not suffer any loss in value. This has since been shown to be false. Now the insurance industry has begun focusing on how best to limit the amount they are required to pay for diminished value.
AUTOMOBILE DIMINISHED VALUE AND YOUR STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
The St. Lucie Appraisal Company prepares automobile diminished value reports in all 50 states. Our methodology is unique within the industry as we are the only appraisers that actually take the time to contact the sales managers at recognized new car dealerships to obtain their opinions. We get six of them in order to present the fairest possible picture. After being informed of the year, make, model, options, etc. and the damages that were repaired, these experts are in the best position to assess how much less these formerly wrecked cars are worth. Potential used car buyers, upon learning of a car’s repair history will obviously expect to pay less for the vehicle if they decide to consider buying it at all.
Looking at the thousands of automobile diminished value reports prepared by our firm, of the many more thousands of dealer opinions contained therein, less than 1% of the sales managers have declared that they would not take a deduction on a car with a repair history. This small minority, however, involved hot-selling models that suffered only very slight damage in the hundreds of dollars. Of the remaining 99% each and every one of those sales managers expressed that the previously wrecked cars were worth from 10% to 50% less depending on all factors involved.
The typical first response from an insurance company to an automobile diminished value claim – even one in which it has been clearly demonstrated that a car has lost as much as $25,000.00 in value is to offer no more than a few hundred dollars. And a typical consumer reaction may be to make an Unfair Claim Practices complaint to their State Insurance Department. Upon doing so they will learn that the Insurance Department will offer no remedy other than pass the complaint on to the very same insurer. When State Insurance Departments allow bad behavior go unpunished or unchecked, the companies they are charged with regulating take advantage.
Insurance companies are being hauled into court and have lost some disappointing decisions. In California, for instance, where Civil Trial Jury instructions used to state that claimants could be reimbursed for repairs or diminished value but not both, revised instructions alert jurors that claimants may, in fact, be entitled to both. In Washington, USAA Insurance Company is hoping that the settlement of a class-action suit be approved whereby the insurer admits no guilt but agrees to pay $500.00 each to thousands of people whose cars suffered diminished value. That sum represents a drop in the bucket compared to what those claimants are entitled to.
Auto owners being forced into litigation in order to receive fair compensation in insurance settlements is a situation that must be stopped. It places an undue hardship on the consumer and drives up both expenses and courtroom time in already overloaded judicial systems. State Insurance Departments must exercise their power to begin intervening and, perhaps, arbitrating in third-party automobile diminished value complaints. We will never have protection from abuses by an industry that is not subject to oversight.
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.com 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
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
This is an Open Education resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.
HOW TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL DIMINISHED VALUE CLAIM
There is a gold standard when it comes to automobile diminished value appraisers and it is known as AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM, a service of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company available in all 50 states. If you ask any insurance adjuster or any of our competitors and you are liable to hear it from them as well. Insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, USAA, Safeco, Progressive, Liberty Mutual and most of the rest have seen our diminished value appraisals. And we have looked at appraisals prepared by just about every independent appraiser – but most of them have ever seen one of ours. Why not? Our appraisals don’t get tossed out for demonstrating a “lack of proof” of diminished value. Theirs do, and when we are called upon for a second opinion, we get to see many of their sad excuses for appraisals.
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
What goes without saying is that the insurance adjuster assigned to your case will make a ridiculously low initial settlement offer, regardless of how comprehensive an appraisal you’ve provided. It is when you start to push them, however – when the claim gets escalated to a supervisor or an unfair claim practices complaint is made to an insurance department that things get interesting. That’s when your appraisal gets sent upstairs to their defense attorneys for review. What, exactly are the lawyers looking for?
When an insurance company defense attorney looks over a diminished value appraisal that was prepared in less than ten minutes using a formula or what many appraisers have taken to calling “algorithms,” they see a document that will look as foreign to a magistrate or mediator as Sanskrit. Diminished value appraisals using automobile auction results aren’t valid as evidence because they represent a completely different market. The online ad comparison method is invalid as well. Two identical cars, listed for the same asking price, can be found,but one of which has an accident history. What is to prevent the seller of the previously-repaird car to ask an unrealistically-high price? You need absolute proof that your car or truck has lost value.
AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM provides what insurance defense attorneys fear most – irrefutable evidence of diminished value, based on the unbiased opinions of six managers at new car dealerships – the people who, day in and day out, purchase and take these bad Carfax cars in trades. Recognizing a valid methodology that any judge can easily understand, insurance company lawyers attorneys are far more likely to advise their adjusters to settle.
Obtaining this detailed information is time consuming but its time well-spent because to be the gold standard in automobile diminished value appraisals, it’s what you’ve got to do. You’ve got to put in the time.
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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.com 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
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
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ALFA-ROMEO DIMINISHED VALUE AND LOSS OF USE CLAIMS
There is a new phenomenon in the automotive world and it is called Diminished Value. For those who haven’t heard this term, it means the loss in value a vehicle experiences after undergoing collision repairs. The Alfa-Romeo, being a car that attracts more discriminating buyers, suffers a great deal more diminished value than an ordinary car. Used car buyers simply won’t pay as much for a previously wrecked car so dealers, in turn, have to offer less come trade-in time. Alfa-Romeo owners are typically upscale folks who expect a first-class level of service. Those expectations extend to the treatment they receive from insurance companies after their cars are wrecked by the negligence of others. Seeking fair compensation for diminished value and loss of use is part of it. You need an expert appraiser. At The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, Alfa-Romeo Diminished Value and Loss of Use claims are our specialty.
Insurance Company defense attorneys can instantly recognize which independent appraisals will stand up in court and advise their adjusters accordingly when it comes to offering fair settlements. We are rarely called upon to appear as expert witnesses in legal proceedings because our customers generally receive fair settlements that preclude taking civil actions. Alfa-Romeo diminished value and loss of use claims should present no problems if appraisals are prepared correctly.
Getting back to Alfa-Romeo and the difficulty obtaining proper diminished value information for the owners of these cars. When we receive an assignment to prepare a diminished value appraisal for a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Porsche, there is a nationwide network of dealers from whom we can obtain opinions. Not so with Alfa-Romeo. Dealers are few and far between. Therefore, obtaining the six verifiable quotes from Alfa-Romeo dealers that we feel are necessary to populate an irrefutable diminished value report is difficult.
ALFA-ROMEO DIMINISHED VALUE AND LOSS OF USE CLAIMS
So where does this leave the Alfa-Romeo owner when it comes to receiving fair compensation for Diminished Value and Loss of Use? The independent appraisers that use formulas and algorithms arrive at numbers that don’t remotely represent the Alfa-Romeo used car market. As for the independent appraisers that use automobile auction results, they are completely out of luck since so few Alfa-Romeos are put up for auction.
The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, despite being a small fish in the big pond of independent automobile diminished value appraisers, has gained the lion’s share of diminished value and loss of use requests from Alfa-Romeo owners due chiefly to word of mouth. It has been not only Alfa-Romeo owners but also the certified Alfa-Romeo repair shop managers who have sent their customers, friends and families to us.
Finally, with regard to Loss of Use claims, it costs $500 per day to rent a Dream Car such as the Tesla S from one of the Hertz locations in California. Anywhere else in the US, you can rent a marginally comparable car, a Porsche Panamera for $350 per day. Why do insurance companies feel that they can get away with offering lower-priced replacement vehicles to Alfa-Romeo owners? It is common knowledge that a wrecked Alfa-Romeo can take up to 60 days to repair. A typical Loss of Use report for a Alfa-Romeo owner whose car is laid up for two months is in excess of $25,000.00 which includes the Daily Collision Damage Waiver. Of special note: It is not necessary to actually rent a car in order to receive compensation for Loss of Use.
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The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is $350.00. Tesla and other exotic car owners please call for rates. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
After making your secure payment please email the completed body shop estimate or insurance company damage appraisal to contact@stlucieappraisal.net
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
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THE INDEPENDENT APPRAISER’S ROLE IN AUTOMOBILE DIMINISHED VALUE CLAIMS
The independent appraiser should not be part of the claim in which the automobile diminished value is in question, but is usually brought in from the outside to preserve impartiality. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company’s purpose and function is definite and simple. We must determine the existence and amount of diminished value in order to make the claimant whole. In doing so, our focus is always the fair and equitable treatment of both our client and the insurance company involved.
In a sense, the diminished value claim is an intellectual problem for both the insurance company and the claimant. The St. Lucie Appraisal Company stands as a surrogate for the claimant, as well as being the competition for the insurance company. That is, the independent appraiser finds the relevant information and, if he is playing fairly, presents his Diminished Value Report to the claimant along with a demand letter. The independent appraiser needs to emphasize the significance of each bit of information. Experience and intelligence mesh, making the independent appraiser a person who finds solutions to problems and dilemmas that seem to have no solution. He makes the connections that reveal the solution, as well as revealing the truth about the situation at large. He is a necessary figure in the access he has to people – the sales managers at recognized new car dealerships. He should be a specialist in disseminating information accurately in order to arrive at fair diminished value figures. Insurance companies must respect both the effort and the subsequent results.
THE INDEPENDENT APPRAISER IN AUTOMOBILE DIMINISHED VALUE CLAIMS
Even while testing our clients resolve to insist on fair treatment and trying to outlast them, insurance companies have given The St. Lucie Appraisal Company’s Diminished Value Reports a trust they rarely give those of other independent appraisers. Our reports compel them to face and to acknowledge when they are perpetrating unfair claim practices. But there is no doubt that the claimant must be persistent in following up on any suggestions the independent appraiser may make.
Though automobile diminished value claims are not an uplifting topic for an insurance company, an Automobile Diminished Value Report prepared by The St. Lucie Appraisal Company influences them to recognize and admit both the harmful and time-consuming sides of claim mishandling, hopefully leading them from a dangerous and costly ignorance.
Answers and solutions can be found by people who are dedicated to the search for truth and who know where and how to look for the information that can lead to those solutions and answers. Insurance companies should, at the very least, use their capabilities of observation and logic to develop alternatives to their delay, denial and misinformation tactics. Low-ball settlement offers are contrary to good business despite how insurers view third-party diminished value claims because they project an appearance of bad faith industry wide.
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
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.com 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
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
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How to Convince an Insurance Company to Total your Car
It’s a matter of simple economics. The insurance company wants to pay out as little as possible when it comes to claim expenditures. This is part and parcel of their business model which isn’t difficult to understand. As with all corporations, turning a profit is typically the most important goal.
In automobile claims, when a vehicle is damaged, it will be deemed repairable or, if repair costs approach or exceed the vehicle’s value, it will be declared a total loss. Does the vehicle owner have a say in whether their car gets repaired or totaled? In first-party claims, where the accident was your fault, the answer is no. However, in third-party claims, where the at-fault party’s insurance company is picking up the tab, in certain situations, the answer is yes. All it takes is a little convincing.
Most folks have never heard of a third-party Auto Diminished Value claim. These are filed by car owners to recoup the value lost because their cars now have repair histories. Depending on the extent of the damages, the value lost can exceed 50% of the car’s pre-accident value. Even most of those who are familiar with Auto Diminished Value don’t realize that it isn’t necessary to have your car repaired to file such a claim. And many of our clients are doing just that. Prior to authorizing repairs, car owners can demonstrate how totaling their cars makes financial sense for both parties.
For this example, let’s consider a car with a Retail Value of $35K and a Fair Market Value (Trade-in Value) of $30K. Insurance companies typically consider totaling cars if the repair cost approaches 75% of the retail value. In this case, that figure is around $25K. But what if the car’s damage estimate comes to only $15K? Most of us don’t want to drive a car that had extensive damage, especially if structural damage or air bag deployment occurred. No matter – at these figures, the insurer will almost always elect to pay to have the car repaired.
So, how does the owner of this car convince the insurance company to total the car? Along with various other potential expenditures for the insurance company, Third-Party Auto Diminished Value claims represent another major disbursement. When repair costs are this high, the likelihood of structural damage and/or air bag deployment is almost certain.
Scenario #1 assumes a 30-day repair time and that the supplement won’t exceed the amount shown. Every insurance company has endured the nightmare repair where a car must go in for multiple supplements. Also, if the car is a luxury car, high-end SUV or pickup truck, renting a comparable vehicle will cost $125/Day and up. Add another few thousand dollars for a Loss of Use claim.
There are many other logical reasons for preferring that your car be totaled besides loss in value after repairs. Safety and quality of work issues aside, if another negligent driver slams into your car, good luck trying to collect for Auto Diminished Value without resorting to legal action. Insurance companies flat-out refuse to pay for DV on cars with previous repair histories.
From the insurance company’s point of view, negotiating repair costs with body shops and haggling over car rental and diminished value issues are time-consuming and costly – not to mention the potential for further litigation. The total loss and salvage recovery process is a snap, by comparison. If the insurers don’t recognize these mutually beneficial arrangements, it’s up to car owners to educate them.
Hire an Expert Automobile Diminished Value Appraiser
John M (Arizona)- Thank you very much for the diminished value appraisal. I was able to use it along with the insurance company field appraiser’s salvage estimate and repair estimate to agree with them that the right thing to do was to declare the vehicle a total loss. I managed to pick up one of the few remaining new models in the nation last week and am bringing this to closure without having to file a diminished value case in court. Thanks again!
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.
A New Car Diminished Value Claim in Bridgeport, Connecticut
We report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. A diminished value appraisal of a new loaner MINI Cooper Convertible with 1.955 miles that was involved in a front collision that caused $2,396.72 in damage. The vehicle was not disabled/towed, had no structural damage and no air bag deployment. The dealership 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 MINI dealerships in Connecticut and surrounding states – One dealer explained that because it is a new vehicle you would take more of a hit. Normally when you try and sell a vehicle with a bad Carfax there will be a loss depending on the document and what is reported and the amount of damage and what the repairs look like will be the deciding factor on what the actual loss will be, his guess there may be a loss of a few thousand and can go as high as 4K. Another dealer said that due to the fact the car is new and there is already an accident on the Carfax there will definitely be a loss. Could be around 10 % of the cars value.
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 dealer will experience when selling the car.
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 MINI dealers in Connecticut to establish how these repairs and the resultant repair history would impact this vehicle’s Retail Value. Dealers were provided with an evaluation of the vehicle’s condition both prior and subsequent to repairs.
A New Car Diminished Value Claim in Bridgeport, ConnecticutDescription of damage: Non-disabling collision damages to the front with no damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $2,396.72. 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 11.97%. This is the percentage of Diminished Value to be taken from the retail value at the time of loss.
We established that the above captioned vehicle had a Retail Value of approximately $27,500.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $3,291.75
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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.com TESLA AND OTHER EXOTIC CAR OWNERS PLEASE CALL FOR RATES.
Service in Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Hartford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, New Britain, West Hartford, Greenwich, Hamden, Fairfield, Meriden, Bristol, Manchester, West Haven, Milford, Stratford, Middletown, Enfield, Wallingford, Southington, Norwich, Shelton, Groton, Trumbull, Torrington, Glastonbury, Naugatuck and throughout Connecticut. auto appraiser near 06484, auto appraiser near 06810. auto appraiser near 06606, auto appraiser near 06902
Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham Counties
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.