Larchmont, NY Diminished Value Appraiser | St. Lucie Appraisal

Note: Cases such as Johnson v. Scholz affirm that case law has consistently held that “the measure of damages for injury to property resulting from negligence is the difference in the market value immediately before and immediately after the accident, or the reasonable cost of repairs necessary to restore it to its former condition, whichever is less.” This means a plaintiff can be made whole under one standard or the other, and not both, as sought by a claimant. Yet, even though it would seem that defendants had no obligation to compensate claimants for third-party inherent diminished value claims, insurance companies throughout the State of New York make settlements for these claims every day.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company provides expert independent diminished value appraisals for Tesla and luxury vehicle owners throughout New York, including Larchmont, New Rochelle, White Plains, and all of Westchester County.

Tesla Model X P100D Diminished Value Case Study — Larchmont / Westchester County, New York

This case details the diminished value appraisal of a low-mileage Tesla Model X P100D with only 3,500 miles involved in a rear-end collision that caused $17,891.52 in damage. The vehicle was not disabled or towed, sustained structural damage, and had no airbag deployment.

The claimant hired an independent auto appraiser and filed a third-party inherent 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 repair was performed, buyers will not pay as much for a previously wrecked car as they would for an identical one that was never in an accident. 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

Real-World Dealer Feedback from Exotic & Tesla Dealers in New York

We consulted sales professionals at exotic and luxury dealerships in New York. Their market insights included:

Due to the accident report and frame damage, the Tesla would likely need to be wholesaled and would bring significantly less than market value.
With frame damage and a towed report, dealers estimated a 30%–40% reduction in value.

The opinions of six unbiased professional dealers form the basis for our comprehensive diminished value appraisals. This reflects what Tesla owners in Westchester County and New York will realistically experience in the market.

Damage Summary & Results

Description of damage: Disabling rear collision with structural damage and no airbag deployment. Repair cost: $17,891.52. No LKQ (used) or aftermarket parts were factored into the diminished value assessment.

Average of Six Dealer Deductions: 35.00%

Pre-Loss Fair Market Value (Average Trade-In): $135,000.00

Calculated Diminished Value: $47,250.00

Frequently Asked Questions — Larchmont Tesla Diminished Value Claim

Why was this Tesla’s diminished value percentage so high?
The collision caused structural damage, which is one of the factors dealers weigh most heavily. Dealers indicated a vehicle with structural damage and a towed report would typically need to be wholesaled, driving the deduction well above what a minor cosmetic repair would see.

Why is the dollar loss on a Tesla Model X so much larger than on an average vehicle?
Diminished value is calculated as a percentage of fair market value. With a pre-loss value of $135,000, even the 35% deduction translated into a loss of $47,250 — far higher in absolute terms than the same percentage applied to an economy vehicle.

Who pays for a diminished value claim in Westchester County?
The at-fault driver’s insurance company is generally responsible for compensating the vehicle owner under a third-party inherent diminished value claim.

Does Johnson v. Scholz affect claims in Westchester County?
The case addresses how New York generally measures property damage, as the lesser of the loss in market value or the cost of repairs, not both. Despite this, New York insurers routinely settle third-party diminished value claims throughout the state, including Westchester County.

Is a physical inspection required for this type of claim?
No. Inherent diminished value claims like this one don’t require a physical inspection, since the vehicle has already been properly repaired. The loss stems from the CARFAX record, not a visible defect.

What does an Automobile Diminished Value Report cost?
$275.00, payable by credit card or PayPal. Tesla and other exotic vehicle owners should call for rates. Telephone consultations are always free.

Payment & Reviews

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 pay by phone: call 772-359-4300. Tesla and other exotic car owners — please call for rates.

Before making your secure payment please email the body shop estimate or insurance company appraisal to contact@stlucieappraisal.net

ZIP Codes We Serve in Westchester County, NY

10538, 10550, 10573, 10583, 10701, 10801 and surrounding Westchester County area ZIP codes.

Service Throughout New York

Service in: Albany, Amherst, Babylon, Brookhaven, Brooklyn, Bronx, Cheektowaga, Clarkstown, Colonie, Greece, Greenburgh, Hamburg, Hempstead, Huntington, Irondequoit, Islip, Manhattan, North Hempstead, New York City, Orangetown, Oyster Bay, Poughkeepsie, Queens, Ramapo, Rye, Smithtown, Staten Island, Tonawanda, Union, Webster, West Seneca, White Plains and throughout New York.

This is an Open Education Resource focused on auto diminished value, collective knowledge and the sharing of scholarly content.

NewYorkDiminishedValue.com and TotalLossDispute.com are services of The St. Lucie Appraisal Company.

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