Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a Cadillac XT5 Luxury SUV with 11,114 miles that was involved in a front end collision on 1/10/18 that caused $16,634.59 in damage. The vehicle was disabled/towed and had structural damage and air bag deployment. The claimant made a third-party inherent auto diminished value claim for the vehicle’s loss in value. Once a car is repaired after a collision, it is worth less, often much less depending on the severity of the damage. Regardless of how well the repairer did his job, nobody will pay as much for a previously wrecked car as they would for an identical one that was never in an accident. Presenting a diminished value claim and following it through to a satisfactory conclusion is a daunting task for the average person. Obtaining a comprehensive Diminished Value Report is key.
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SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH
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We learned from these examples from sales managers at Cadillac dealers in South Florida. – You would lose between 25% at minimum off the trade-in-value due to it having frame damage. Also anytime a car or truck has reported frame damage you will lose 30% or higher depending on the vehicles value because they have to sell at auction and have to disclose this damage to potential buyers which makes it a hard sale. And typically that when you have a vehicle with frame damage and it was towed from the scene you are looking at taking a big hit.The opinions of unbiased experts form the basis for the most comprehensive Auto Diminished Value Appraisal available. We obtain six of them which absolutely puts the diminished value figure prepared by The St. Lucie Appraisal Company in the ballpark. This is what the car owner will experience in the real world.
Dealers providing opinions regarding diminished value were given information specific to this vehicle including year, make, model, mileage, color, options, any other pertinent equipment, date of loss as well as the nature of the repaired damages and the manner in which the vehicle was repaired. Dealer opinions are based on personal knowledge and access to auction results. Dealers were advised that this vehicle was properly repaired.
We contacted several Cadillac dealers in South Florida in order to establish how these repairs and the resultant repair history would impact this vehicle’s Fair Market Value (FMV.) Dealers were provided with an evaluation of the vehicle’s condition both prior and subsequent to repairs.
FLORIDA LICENSED INDEPENDENT ADJUSTER
Description of damage: Disabling collision damages to the Front with damage to structural components and air bag deployment. Repair cost $16,634.59. 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 31.25%%. This is the percentage of Diminished Value to be taken from the FMV at the time of loss.
We established that the above captioned vehicle had a Fair Market Value (Average Trade-In Value) of approximately $35,000.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $10,937.50.
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The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is a family-owned appraisal business offering nationwide services in automobile diminished value, total loss, loss of use, and personal property valuations since 1981. Our principal appraiser is Franklin Colletta. We have prepared more than 6,000 Auto Valuation and Diminished Value Appraisals to date. Our reports are recognized by courts, insurers, and financial institutions.
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