FORD DIMINISHED VALUE AND LOSS OF USE CLAIMS

St. Lucie Automobile and Diminished Value Appraiser

There is a new phenomenon in the automotive world and it is called Auto Diminished Value. For those who haven’t heard this term, it means the loss in value a vehicle experiences after undergoing collision repairs. Ford models that attract more discriminating buyers, suffer 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. New and late model car owners 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, Ford Diminished Value and Loss of Use claims are our specialty.

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

Our methodology for preparing automobile diminished value appraisals is unique within the industry because we don’t rely on formulas, algorithms, auto auction results or other short cuts to determine the amount of value lost after collision repairs. Each situation is unique and the only way to provide tailor-made reports is to query the people who actually do the buying and selling of these bad Carfax vehicles – new car dealers. It is important, of course, that the dealers who participate in our surveys know full well that the subject vehicles are not for sale or available for trade. This prevents insurance companies from alleging collusion or vested interest. This approach has made our company the best at what we do – Diminished Value and Loss of Use appraisals. Magistrates and mediators alike have recognized the validity of our reports because they are comprehensive and they aren’t complicated.

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. Ford diminished value and loss of use claims should present no problems if appraisals are prepared correctly.

So where does this leave the Ford 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 Ford used car market. As for the independent appraisers that use automobile auction results, they are completely out of luck since so few high-end Fords are put up for auction.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company has gained more than our share of diminished value and loss of use requests from Ford owners due chiefly to word of mouth. It has been not only Ford owners but also the certified Ford collision repair shop managers who have sent their customers, friends and families to us.

Finally, with regard to Loss of Use claims, it costs up to $250 per day to rent a Dream Car such as the Ford Mustang GT Convertible. A late model high-end Ford or comparable car or SUV can cost $125.00 per day on a long-term basis. Why do insurance companies feel that they can get away with offering lower-priced replacement vehicles to Ford owners? It is common knowledge that a wrecked high-end Ford can take up to 60 days to repair. A typical Loss of Use report for an Ford owner whose car is laid up for two months is in excess of $7,500.00. Of special note: It is not necessary to actually rent a car in order to receive compensation for Loss of Use.

Current Ford models include C-Max Energi and Hybrid, Escape, Expedition, Explorer, F-150, Fiesta, Focus, Fusion, Mustang, Super Duty F-250, F-350 and F-450 along with the Transit line of vans. Phased out recently were the Taurus, Econoline Vans, Edge and Flex models. All of these Fords will lose value after collision repairs. Diminished Value can result in as much as 50% of the vehicle’s value lost, especially if frame damage or air bag deployment was involved. While “the older the car, the less it will suffer diminished value” is true, that statement can be misleading. While a 2008 Ford with a bad Carfax will lose less in value, percentage-wise, than a newer model, older cars can still be worth thousands of dollars less.

Car owner receives record $60,000 diminished value settlementREAD CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY

auto diminished value payment buttonClick 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

TOTAL LOSS DISPUTE
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.

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A Toyota Diminished Value Claim in Hialeah, Florida

St. Lucie Automobile and Diminished Value Appraiser

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.

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FLORIDA LICENSEDINDEPENDENT ADJUSTER

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

Car owner receives record $60,000 diminished value settlement
READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY

auto diminished value payment button
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.

TOTAL LOSS DISPUTE

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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