Collision shops recommend AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM (The St. Lucie Appraisal Company) for diminished value claims for reasons that have very little to do with marketing and almost everything to do with results, risk avoidance, and credibility from the shop’s perspective:
1. Shops See the Problem Firsthand
Body shops are the first to hear the customer say, “My car will never be worth the same again.” They know—often better than insurers—that even perfect repairs don’t erase value loss, especially on late-model, luxury, or Tesla vehicles. Referring a competent DV appraiser helps address a real customer problem without the shop stepping outside its lane.
2. The Appraiser Doesn’t Put the Shop at Risk
Most reputable shops are careful not to “steer,” give legal advice, or argue with insurers. St. Lucie Appraisal:
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Operates outside the repair transaction
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Does not interfere with supplements or DRP relationships
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Does not require the shop to advocate or testify
That makes referrals low-risk for the shop.
3. Consistent, Defensible Work (Not Gimmicks)
Shops quickly learn which DV appraisers create headaches. Appraisers who rely on:
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formulas and algorithms,
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auction data,
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or generic software
often get dismissed by insurers, frustrating customers who then come back angry at the shop.
St. Lucie’s work is perceived as grounded, explainable, and defensible, which reduces blowback on the shop.
4. Post-Report Follow-Through Matters
Shops notice when customers come back saying:
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“They actually stayed involved”
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“They explained the insurer’s objections”
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“They didn’t disappear after sending a PDF”
That follow-through builds trust and leads shops to keep handing out the card—even when they rarely hear back otherwise. Good will is a great investment.
5. No Conflict With Repairs or Insurers
A key reason shops across many states are comfortable recommending St. Lucie Appraisal is that:
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The appraiser does not criticize the quality of the repair
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Does not blame the shop
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Focuses solely on financial loss, not workmanship
That keeps relationships intact.
6. Word Spreads Quietly in the Industry
Most shops don’t track outcomes formally. What they do notice is:
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Customers stop coming back angry
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Occasional confirmation that the customer “did better than the insurer’s first offer”
That’s enough for quiet, organic referrals—especially in Tesla, luxury, and certified repair networks.
Bottom Line
Collision shops recommend The St. Lucie Appraisal Company because it solves a problem the shop can’t solve, without creating new ones. The referrals persist not because of advertising, but because the appraisal service is seen as:
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credible (State-Licensed Adjusters and App[raisers – not “Certified”
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independent – No Insurance Company Clients
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low-risk – Appraisal Cost is Reasonable ($275 for most cars)
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and effective from the customer’s perspective (REVIEWS)
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
Many body shops avoid recommending diminished value (DV) appraisers, even when they know it could help their customer.
1. Compliance and Legal Risk
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Some insurers or state laws prohibit shops from “steering” business to an appraiser or attorney.
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If a shop actively recommends a DV appraiser, the shop could be seen as interfering with the claims process, which can risk loss of DRP (Direct Repair Program) status, or insurance contracts.
2. Fear of Damaging Insurer Relationships
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Many shops work directly with insurers daily.
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Recommending a DV appraiser could make an insurer less cooperative on repair approvals or supplements.
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Some shops simply don’t want to jeopardize preferred provider relationships for a potential DV claim, which may be small or uncertain.
3. Limited Knowledge or Comfort Level
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Not every shop understands how DV works, or they don’t feel confident explaining it to a customer.
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DV claims can involve complex valuations, negotiation, or appraisal clauses—and most shops focus on repairs, not finance or law.
4. Past Negative Experiences
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Shops sometimes refer customers to an appraiser who fails to deliver results.
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If the insurer denies the claim or the appraiser disappears after the report, the customer may blame the shop, creating headaches.
5. Preference for Neutrality
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Some shops adopt a policy of staying neutral: they fix cars, period.
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Recommending DV appraisers is seen as advocating financially for the customer, which could be construed as taking sides in a claims dispute.
6. Administrative Hassle
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Keeping track of appraisers, sending business cards, answering questions, and following up can take time away from repairs, so some shops just avoid it.
Bottom line:
Some shops recommend AUTODIMINISHEDVALUE.COM (The St. Lucie Appraisal Company) because it helps their customers and doesn’t risk their repairs, while others avoid it because of legal exposure, insurer relations, and workload concerns. It’s a careful balance between helping the customer and protecting the shop’s business.
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.
Make your secure payment after emailing 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