What is Diminished Value?

Diminished value (DV) is the cost of your car’s loss of reputation or value following a car accident (we think it’s hysterical that a car has its own reputation, but that’s a joke for a different day). Even if your car is repaired by a quality and qualified professional to restore it back to its pre-accident condition, a potential buyer won’t be willing to pay the same price. That difference in the pre-accident market value of your car to the post-repair value of the car is how diminished value is calculated.

Learn More: How To File A Diminished Value Claim Without A Lawyer

Now that you know what a diminished value claim is, let's learn about the different types.

Types of Diminished Value

There are three types of diminished value.

1. Inherent diminished value

This is the most common form of DV after an auto accident. This type of vehicle’s diminished value is recognized as existing solely because the history of property damage will reduce the car’s value on the market. This assumes repairs have been done correctly.

Even if the repairs have been completed to a high standard and the vehicle looks and performs the way it did before the accident, its resale value is still lower compared to an identical vehicle with a clean history. This is because of the perception by potential buyers and dealers that a vehicle with an accident history is less desirable.

2. Immediate diminished value

This represents the difference in value of the car immediately following the car accident before any repairs are made. This wouldn’t be applicable in most cases because the car insurance company will cover the cost of repairs.

3. Repair-related diminished value

This is the loss of resale value to the car due to faulty repairs, or repairs that are of substandard quality or incomplete.

This could include such issues as mismatched paint or colors, usage of non-OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts, or flaws (both structural and cosmetic) that remain after the repairs have been completed.

This loss in market value is beyond the reputational damage from the car accident and repairs cannot be remediated.

In most cases following a crash an inherent diminished value claim will be made. Each state has slightly different criteria for eligibility and calculation of DV but there are a few commonalities.

• There is a cutoff for age (often 7-10+ years) and mileage (typically 100k+)
• Age and mileage detract from the DV value
• Severity of property damage increases the DV value

If you've been involved in an accident and are seeking legal support and representation, head over to Mighty's Auto Accident Lawyers Directory to find a trusted attorney in your area today.