Tag: diminished value appraiser

A Diminished Value Claim in Phoenix, Arizona

October 22, 2025October 21, 2025 by stlucieappraisal

St. Lucie Automobile and Diminished Value Appraiser

Phoenix, Arizona Diminished Value Appraiser | Independent Auto Appraisal Experts

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company provides independent diminished value appraisals for vehicle owners in Phoenix, Arizona and throughout the state. Our licensed auto appraisers serve all ZIP Codes and regions listed below, helping car owners recover their rightful loss in value after an accident.

Phoenix, Arizona ZIP Codes & Areas We Serve for Diminished Value Claims

85008, 85032, 85033, 85035, 85041, 85042, 85044, 85050, 85051, 85053,
85054, 85085, 85086, 85224, 85225, 85226, 85281, 85282, 85283, 85284,
85286, 85287, 85295, 85301, 85302, 85303, 85304, 85305, 85306, 85307,
85308, 85309, 85338, 85339, 85340, 85341, 85342, 85343, 85344, 85345,
85346, 85361, 85362, 85364, 85367, 85372, 85373, 85374, 85375, 85376,
85377, 85378, 85379, 85380, 85381, 85382, 85383, 85385

Service Locations Across Arizona

Apache Junction, Avondale, Buckeye, Bullhead City, Casa Grande, Chandler, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Lake Havasu City, Marana, Mesa, Oro Valley, Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott, Scottsdale, Sierra Vista, Surprise, Tempe, Tucson, Yuma.

Counties served: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai, Yuma.

Independent Arizona Diminished Value Appraisals

Every week, we report on significant and informative examples of auto diminished value claims across Arizona. This case involves a Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Crew Cab with 11,806 miles that sustained left-side collision damage totaling $14,380.82. The vehicle was disabled and towed, with structural damage and no airbag deployment. The owner hired an independent auto appraiser and pursued a third-party diminished value claim for the vehicle’s loss in value.

After a collision, even high-quality repairs cannot restore a vehicle’s market value. Regardless of repair quality, buyers pay less for a previously wrecked vehicle compared to an identical undamaged one. Filing and negotiating a diminished value claim can be complex for most vehicle owners — which is why obtaining a professional Diminished Value Report from a licensed appraiser is crucial.

WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS, OR OTHER SHORTCUTS
SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH
TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE

Phoenix Diminished Value Case Example

Interviews with Arizona Chevrolet sales managers revealed consistent opinions about frame-damaged vehicles. One manager stated that frame damage causes a larger loss in value since it’s difficult to justify to potential buyers — typically resulting in about a 40% reduction. Another noted that such a truck would lose roughly half of its trade-in value because of the frame damage.

The opinions of six unbiased professional sales managers from recognized Arizona dealerships form the foundation of our Auto Diminished Value Appraisal. We gather six independent dealer quotes to confirm every report produced by The St. Lucie Appraisal Company — providing a realistic, market-based assessment of what your car is worth post-repair.

Each dealer was provided with details including year, make, model, pre-accident condition, mileage, color, options, repair date, and the nature of the damages. Dealer valuations were based on professional experience and access to current auction results, with the understanding that the vehicle was properly repaired.

We contacted multiple Chevrolet dealerships in
Arizona
to determine how the repairs and accident history affected the vehicle’s Fair Market Value (FMV). Dealers were given both pre-repair and post-repair condition summaries.

A Diminished Value Claim in Phoenix, Arizona

Description of damage: Left-side collision with structural damage, no airbag deployment. Repair cost: $14,380.82. No aftermarket or used parts (LKQ) were used in repairs or included in the diminished value assessment.

The average of six (6) dealer deductions was 34.17%, representing the percentage of diminished value applied to the vehicle’s FMV at the time of loss.

The vehicle’s Fair Market Value at the time of loss was approximately $27,500.00, resulting in a diminished value of $9,396.75.

READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY

Order a Diminished Value Appraisal

Click 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 pay by telephone at 772-359-4300.

Before making your secure payment, please email your body shop estimate or insurance 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 industry expertise.
AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM and
TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company.

Diminished Value Inspection

October 18, 2025October 18, 2025 by stlucieappraisal

St. Lucie Appraisal, automobile, personal property, diminished value, appraiser

You want to hire The St. Lucie Appraisal Company to prepare a diminished value appraisal for your repaired vehicle. The reason? Because it’s widely known that our company is one of a handful of independent appraisers in the country that takes the time and trouble to obtain six unbiased, verifiable dealer quotes to prove the amount of value your car has lost. The bad Carfax or other vehicle history report shows that your automobile or truck has been repaired. It may even show that it sustained frame damage or had the air bags deploy. This is known as “Inherent Diminished Value,” a stigma loss for which you will receive compensation. Being that your vehicle has been properly repaired, there is no reason for the diminished value appraiser to make a physical inspection. After all, you aren’t claiming a loss in value for any repair-related issue. A bad Carfax = Diminished Value, it’s as simple as that. So why has the insurance company insisted on your arranging for a diminished value inspection?

Our company has prepared hundreds of automobile diminished value appraisals in all 50 states. As noted in the above paragraph, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is the only independent appraisal firm willing to call dealers until we obtain six opinions of how much less your car is worth. It’s hard work but worth it because our reports can’t be questioned; they have been proven in court to be evidence of diminished value. Other methods such as the use of formulas, algorithms and auction results, are not definitive confirmation.

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

It is unusual for an insurance company to require a physical inspection in an inherent diminished value claim. State Farm Insurance Company is, or was, requiring claimants in California making inherent diminished value claims to have their repaired cars inspected by appraisers. Why? Three reasons come to mind. First, by compelling car owners to use local appraisers, they prevent claimants from obtaining expert appraisals that come from companies like St. Lucie Appraisal. If local independent appraisers use faulty methods that don’t conclusively prove diminished value, State Farm is seemingly off the hook. Second, claimants who live in rural areas may not find any local independent appraisal companies that handle diminished value. Having to drive hundreds of miles for an appraisal acts as an effective deterrent. Third, independent appraisers that perform physical inspections for diminished value appraisals charge prohibitive fees.

If a vehicle owner is caught in a situation like this, keep in mind that the insurance company has put itself in a bad position, one in which claimants can take full advantage. By denying a claimant the right to hire St. Lucie Appraisal or other expert independent appraiser, the insurer has put itself in a box. If they refuse to pay the claim for lack of evidence of diminished value due to poor methodology, the car owner can and should appeal their decision. In legal terms it is known as “ineffective counsel” but in this case the claimant was constrained from obtaining the best representation available.

We are proud of the job we do and hope to gain your business. However, if you find yourself caught in this position, inform the insurance company that you prefer to hire St. Lucie Appraisal, then proceed according to the guidelines they have dictated. At least you now know that you are on solid ground when it comes time to appeal an unfair decision by the insurance company.

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.

Before 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, 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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Diminished Value Claim in Nashville

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by stlucieappraisal

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company provides independent diminished value appraisals for vehicle owners in Nashville and throughout Tennessee.

Each week we report on the most interesting and informative articles concerning auto diminished value claims. Regarding our diminished value appraisal of a Honda Accord EX-L NAV with 34,813 miles that was involved in a front end collision on 10/04/2017 that caused $6,152.13 in damage. The vehicle was not disabled/towed, had structural damage and no air bag deployment. The claimant made a third-party inherent auto diminished value claim for the vehicle’s loss in value. Once a car is repaired after a collision, it is worth less, often much less depending on the severity of the damage. Regardless of how well the repairer did his job, nobody will pay as much for a previously wrecked car as they would for an identical one that was never in an accident. Presenting a diminished value claim and following it through to a satisfactory conclusion is a daunting task for the average person. Obtaining a comprehensive Diminished Value Report 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 dealers in Tennessee. One dealer would not even take the car in trade. Also, it would be considered a wholesale or “auction” car especially with amount of damage listed on Carfax, even if it was repaired correctly you could still be looking at a loss of 30% or more. And because of the bad Carfax report, the car owner will have a pretty large loss when it comes to the overall trade in value. Frame damage really hurts the overall perception

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 Honda dealers in Tennessee 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.

Description of damage: Non-disabling collision damages to the Front with damage to structural components and no air bag deployment. Repair cost $6,152.13. 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 32.50%. 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 $15,500.00 at the time of loss. The Diminished Value was $5,037.50.

READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY

ZIP Codes We Serve

37013, 37076, 37115, 37211, 37221

Service in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Jackson, Johnson City, Bartlett, Hendersonville, Kingsport, Collierville and throughout Tennessee.Anderson, Bedford, Benton, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carroll, Carter, Cheatham, Chester, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Crockett, Cumberland, Davidson, Decatur, DeKalb, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Fentress, Franklin, Gibson, Giles, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardeman, Hardin, Hawkins, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Loudon, McMinn, McNairy, Macon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Maury, Meigs, Monroe, Montgomery, Moore, Morgan, Obion, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Robertson, Rutherford, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, Sullivan, Sumner, Tipton, Trousdale, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Weakley, White, Williamson and Wilson Counties. auto appraiser near 37013, auto appraiser near 37076, auto appraiser near 37115, auto appraiser near 37211, auto appraiser near 37221

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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INSURANCE APPRAISERS

October 12, 2025October 12, 2025 by stlucieappraisal

Welcome to The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, Automobile, Personal Property and Diminished Value Appraiser in all 50 States

WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS
SIX UNBIASED DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL TO VALIDATE OUR RESEARCH
TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is the most highly-reviewed automobile valuation and diminished value appraiser in the country. We are a nationally-recognized and court-certified provider of Valuations and Diminished Value Appraisals for all types of Cars, Trucks and Tangible Personal Property including Private Passenger Cars, Antique and Custom Builds, Trucks, Heavy Equipment, Motorcycles, Recreational Vehicles, Mobile and Manufactured Homes, Aircraft Hangars and Total Loss Valuation Disputes. Services provided for Financing, Insurance, Estate Dissolution, Charitable Donations, Bankruptcy, Divorce, DMV and Tax Matters.
Please feel free to call 772-359-4300 with questions.

A SYNOPSIS OF THE ST LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY

August 21, 2025August 21, 2025 by stlucieappraisal

AutoDiminishedValue.com is a service offered by The St. Lucie Appraisal Company. Our company has received numerous positive reviews from clients across various platforms. On the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, we hold an average rating of 4.89 out of 5 stars, based on 35 customer reviews. Clients have praised our professionalism, thoroughness, and effectiveness in securing fair settlements.

Additionally, testimonials on our official website highlight successful outcomes in diminished value claims. For instance, a client from California shared, “I chose AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM (St. Lucie Appraisal) based on their unique methodology, and actually used the DV appraisal as evidence in small claims court. I won the case against Pronto Insurance, so can definitely vouch for their services & effectiveness.”

Yelp reviews (5.0) also reflect positive experiences. One reviewer mentioned, “St Lucie Appraisal was who we chose to prepare our auto diminished value report and we’re more than happy with our decision.”

Furthermore, Scamadviser.com indicates that autodiminishedvalue.com is legitimate and safe to use.

Given the consistent positive feedback, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is a reputable choice for diminished value appraisals.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company offers automobile, personal property, and diminished value appraisal services across all 50 states. They have established locations in various cities nationwide, including Fort Pierce, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Coral City, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Des Moines, IA; Wichita, KS; Louisville, KY; New Orleans, LA; Baltimore, MD; Birmingham, AL; Minneapolis, MN; Jackson, MS; Joplin, MO; Las Vegas, NV; New York, NY; Albuquerque, NM; Charlotte, NC; Middletown, OH; Little Rock, AR; Oklahoma City, OK; Philadelphia, PA; Portland, OR; North Charleston, SC; Nashville, TN; Houston, TX; Virginia Beach, VA; Seattle, WA; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Boston, MA; and Newark, NJ.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company handles total loss disputes. We offer nationwide services, providing independent appraisals for vehicles deemed total losses. Our expertise includes assisting clients in disputing insurance company valuations by preparing fair and objective valuation appraisals that accurately reflect a vehicle’s true pre-accident value.

In cases where there’s a disagreement between the car owner and the insurance company regarding the vehicle’s value, The St. Lucie Appraisal Company can represent clients through the Appraisal Clause process. This involves each party selecting a competent and impartial appraiser. If the appraisers cannot agree on a value, we will select an umpire to make a binding decision. We charge a fee of $275.00 for an automobile valuation appraisal, with an additional $275.00 for representation in Appraisal Clause negotiations. If an umpire is necessary, the associated costs are typically shared between both parties.

Clients have reported positive experiences with The St. Lucie Appraisal Company in total loss disputes. For instance, one client mentioned that after their truck was stolen and recovered with significant damage, their insurance company’s initial offer was substantially lower than expected. With the assistance of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company, the client was able to negotiate a settlement almost three times higher than the initial offer.

For more information or to discuss a specific case, you can contact The St. Lucie Appraisal Company at 772-359-4300 or via email at contact@stlucieappraisal.net.

READ CUSTOMER REVIEWS OF THE ST. LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY

Please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@autodiminishedvalue.com

Then click on the payment button above to pay by Credit Card or Paypal. The fee for an Automobile Diminished Value Report is
$275.00. You may also make your Credit Card Payment by telephone, call 772-359-4300.
Tesla and other exotic car owners please call for rates.

Service throughout Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi , Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company is a family-owned appraisal company that offers nationwide service.We provide Diminished Value Appraisals, Automobile Valuations for total losses, financing, underwriting, estates, bankruptcies, donations and Loss of Use Reports.This is an Open Education Resource focused on auto diminished value, motor vehicle valuations, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.

AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM, AUTOLOSSOFUSE.COM and TOTALLOSSDISPUTE.COM are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company.
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