If you’re the victim of an accident then your car will probably lose value. You need to get paid for the loss!
What Is Diminished Value?
When a car accident occurs, insurance companies will often pay to repair the vehicle’s immediate damages; However, diminished value comes into play when trying to RESELL a car that has been in a collision! If you try to sell your car after a crash, you’ll probably discover that it’s not worth as much as it was before.
Once your vehicle has been wrecked and repaired, it has probably lost value! This loss in value is called Diminished Value. It is the difference between what a car is worth before and after an accident.
Due to Carfax® and Autocheck® reports, now its easy to know a vehicle’s prior accident history. It’s well known that used car dealers will decrease the vehicle value due to its accident history.
What most people don’t know is that you can be compensated for this loss by filing a diminished value claim against the at fault driver’s insurance company.
Have you ever wondered what happens to your car’s worth after an accident? Insurance companies typically cover the immediate repair costs, but the real story unfolds when you decide to resell your vehicle. You’ll likely discover that its value has taken a hit.
Diminished Value, the difference between your car’s pre-accident and post-accident value, comes into play. What a buyer is willing to pay determines your car’s value, and thanks to the popularity of Carfax® and Autocheck® vehicle history reports, potential buyers are more informed than ever.
Imagine this scenario: Two identical used cars are for sale, but one has a history of undergoing significant repairs. Most buyers would opt for the accident-free option, leading to negotiation for a lower price for the repaired vehicle due to perceived diminished value. Even if the repairs were top-notch, you’d likely receive less money for your vehicle, whether you sell it immediately after repairs or years later.
In this example the vehicle was worth $49,000 before accident, and determined by diminished value appraisal to be worth $39,000 after accident. The amount of vehicle diminution is therefore $10,000.
The Secret Insurance Companies Don’t Want You to Know
Diminished value is a concept that often eludes people. If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, you’ve likely encountered insurance adjusters who aim to limit their payouts. They will avoid addressing the decrease in your vehicle’s value until you bring it up. And when you do, be prepared for a battle! They will present various objections against your claim, and without proper knowledge and an appraisal, they may succeed in underpaying you.
Our website is designed to equip you with more information than most adjusters possess, giving you a fighting chance. If you weren’t at fault for the damage to your vehicle, you have the right to recover the lost value from the at-fault party or their insurance company. You deserve to be made whole, and mere repairs won’t achieve that.
Louisiana Revised Statute §9:2800.17 specifically addresses liability for the diminution in the value of a damaged vehicle. Mississippi, Alabama and most states allow you to pursue a diminution claim if you were not at fault for the accident, but you MUST PROVE YOUR CLAIM!
The Three Steps In Pursuing a Diminished Value Claim:
Step One – Determine Feasibility:
The journey to recover your vehicle’s lost value starts here. Provide us with your repair estimate through fax, email, or our easy-to-use online assignment form. Our initial assessment dives deep into various critical aspects such as the vehicle’s history, model, and the specifics of the incident, alongside evaluating the stance of the involved insurance company. This comprehensive review enables us to gauge the viability of your diminished value claim meticulously. We pride ourselves on transparency and efficiency, ensuring you’re promptly informed about the potential of your claim, without any financial obligation on your part.
Step Two– Determine Accurate Amount with Appraisal:
If your claim appears feasible, the next step involves a detailed appraisal. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, using unfair formulas. The most accurate way to assess the decrease in your vehicle’s value is by gathering data from multiple used car sales managers in the local market. We also utilize a 13-year database of local dealer assessments integrated with ChatGPT artificial intelligence for comprehensive data analysis. This provides local “real world” data to substantiate our assessments.
Step Three – File and Pursue Claim with Insurance Company:
The final step is submitting a demand to the insurance company. We provide you with a sample demand letter that you can customize and send to the insurer. Most adjusters will pay the claim once they receive a legitimate appraisal, though some may attempt to negotiate. We’ve encountered every excuse and tactic and can provide additional information to help you navigate negotiations. If necessary, seeking legal assistance may be an option, but with our guidance, you’ll be well-prepared.
BOCAA Guidelines and USPAP Compliance:
Our methodology adheres rigorously to the standards set forth by both the Bureau of Certified Auto Appraisers (BOCAA) and the United States Principles of Appraisal Practices (USPAP). This compliance ensures that our approach is impartial, objective, and adequately documented.
News
As industry leaders in diminished value appraisals, we’re dedicated to staying at the forefront of market trends and insights in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Our blog page serves as a rich resource, consistently updated with the latest developments, strategies, and expert analyses in diminished value claims across these states. Dive in to empower yourself with knowledge and stay informed on how to navigate the complexities of diminished value with confidence. Here are just a few recent articles:
Diminished Value Appraisals in Mississippi and Alabama
Welcome to Mississippi and Alabama: Expanding Our Premier DV Auto Appraisal Services Precision and Expertise Now Closer to You We're thrilled to announce the expansion of our esteemed appraisal services to Mississippi and Alabama, bringing our dedication to accuracy,...
We’re New And Improved
Revolutionized by AI: A New Era in Diminished Value Appraisals We are thrilled to announce the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology into our operations at Diminished Value Method, LLC. This technological pivot has not only modernized our entire...
Adjusters Denying Claims Due To Prior Accidents
Debunking the Flawed Denial of Diminished Value Claims Based on Prior Accidents In recent times, a concerning trend has emerged in the insurance industry, whereby insurance adjusters are wrongfully denying diminished value claims based on the existence of prior...
Dive deeper into the concept of diminished value with this featured video segment, “Claim Your Cash,” from a reputable news source. This informative newscast offers a comprehensive overview of diminished value, shedding light on its significance and how it affects your vehicle’s worth post-accident.
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