Diminished Value

Diminished value occurs when damage to your vehicle is not adequately compensated through the repairs paid for by the insurance company. Diminished value is the difference between your vehicle’s value before the accident and the vehicle’s value after the repair. Your vehicle may look the same but it no longer has the same value. By law, you are entitled to the loss of resale value due to collision or accident after repairs have been made.

Imagine you have decided you want to buy a specific vehicle. You are comparing two similar models. The options, mileage, and features are identical but you discover one was involved in an accident that required substantial repairs. Would you pay the same price for the car that has been repaired? The obvious answer would be no. Instead, you should call AutoAppraisalPro for a diminished value report from (AAP) Certified Nationwide.

Facts at a Glance

Fact 1 - If your vehicle has been wrecked and repaired, it has lost value. This loss in value is called Diminished Value.

Fact 2 - If you were not at fault for the damage, you are entitled to recover your vehicle's lost value from the at fault party or their insurance company, in all 50 states.

Fact 3 - If you live in the state of Georgia, you can also collect your diminished value from your own insurance company even if you were at fault.

Get Your Report

You may be eligible to collect thousands of dollars in Diminished Value for your vehicle.

What is Diminished Value (AAP)? Diminished Value (AAP) is the loss in market value that occurs when a vehicle is wrecked and repaired. Although the repairs may have been done to the best of human ability, no one will pay full value for that vehicle ever again. Let's assume you were shopping for a late model used vehicle. You come upon a dealer who has two identical vehicles that match what you are looking for. These vehicles are the same year, make & model. They have the same mileage & options. They appear to be in the same general condition. The sticker price for both vehicles is $20,000. You ask the dealer if either vehicle has ever been wrecked and he tells you that one of the vehicles had sustained $6,500.00 in collision damage, but the repairs were very well done and you cannot tell there was ever any damage. Which vehicle are you likely to buy? How much of a discount in the price of the previously wrecked vehicle would have to be offered for you to consider buying it.

What determines vehicles Fair Market Value?

Fair Market Value is defined as the amount at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, each being under no pressure to buy or sell and each being aware of relevant facts.

Collision history is a relevant fact.

Vehicle values are based on the perception of the buying public. As is the case with any item of value, the fact that a vehicle has been damaged and repaired will have a negative effect on its value. Most consumers today utilize numerous information sources when making a purchasing decision. With the creation of several Internet based vehicle history, reporting companies, such as CARFAX, it is easier than ever before to research the history of a vehicle. Most dealerships will simply refuse to accept trade-ins with a damage history due to damage disclosure laws. Vehicles that are damaged, and repaired that are accepted as trade-ins are sent to auction for disposal due to disclosure laws and liability concerns. All major vehicle auctions require an announcement of damage prior to auction. Research indicates that severely damaged vehicles can lose as much as 25-50% of their pre-damage value, even with quality repairs. Further, it has been determined that 43% of consumers would not even consider purchasing a vehicle with a moderate to severe damage history regardless of the price.

Somebody owes you money.

If you were not at fault in the accident, the at-fault party (or their insurance company) owes you money. This is true in all 50 states. Even though the insurance companies may try to tell you they don't pay diminished value claims, when you provide proof of your loss, they will.

How much value has your vehicle lost.

Don't let the insurance company tell you. The AutoAppraisalPro.com diminished value assessment will provide you with an appropriate loss of value. Insurance companies will usually try to low-ball you. With the AutoAppraisalPro.com diminished value assessment report, you will be able to start the process of achieving a better settlement.