Diminished Value Appraisal: recover your car's lost value
Repaired properly and still worth thousands less. The accident sits on your vehicle history report, and buyers pay less for it.
That loss is claimable. We document it so the at-fault driver's insurer has to answer for it.
Free estimate · no credit card · report in one business day
5.0 on Google ReviewsWhat the loss usually looks like
Illustrative example. Outcomes vary by vehicle, damage and state.
Start here
Who pays a diminished value claim?
Usually the other driver's insurer — but in some states you can claim on your own policy, which gives you more leverage.
The at-fault driver's insurance
Someone else hit you. You claim against their carrier.
This is how nearly every diminished value claim works. You weren't at fault, so the other driver's insurer is responsible for the full loss — including the value your car lost, not just the repair bill.
Your own insurance
Claiming on your own collision coverage.
Most policies exclude diminished value on your own coverage — but not everywhere. In Georgia, you can file a diminished value claim with your own insurer, even when the other driver was at fault.
Not sure if you qualify? The free estimate will tell you in about a minute.
Plain English
Diminished value terms, in plain English
Inherent diminished value
The loss caused purely by the accident appearing on the vehicle's history — not by anything the shop did. This is what almost every claim is for.
Vehicle history report
CARFAX or AutoCheck. Once the accident is on it, every buyer and dealer sees it, and the price drops.
Comparable vehicles
Similar cars for sale near you, with and without accident history. The difference between them is the evidence.
17c formula
A capped shortcut some insurers apply that almost always lands low. A real appraisal replaces it with market data.
Step by step
How to file a diminished value claim
Start free. You only pay if there's a loss worth claiming.
Check that you qualify
You generally need to have been not at fault, with a repaired vehicle and an accident now on its history report. Newer cars with more damage lose the most.
Run a free estimate
Enter your VIN, mileage and repair details. In about a minute you'll see roughly what your car lost. No credit card.
Order the appraisal
A certified report with local comparables, repair severity analysis and regional pricing adjustments — court-ready and delivered in one business day.
Send the demand letter
Your report comes with a demand letter ready to send to the at-fault driver's insurer. Most claims move once there's a documented number attached.
Negotiate, or escalate
If they lowball or deny, the report is your evidence. Keep pressing, or take it to small claims — SnapClaim reports are built to hold up there.
Reviews
Diminished value appraisal reviews
"I didn't know about diminished value until I found SnapClaim. The report was done in minutes and the team explained everything clearly. I used the letter they provided and ended up with an extra $3,200."
"I uploaded my repair estimate and got a professional report the same day. It saved me hours of back-and-forth with the insurance company and got me a solid payout."
"I had no clue how to value my car after the accident. The report was detailed, with comps and expert review. I sent it in and had a settlement in less than a week."
Pricing
Diminished value appraisal cost: one flat fee of $350
No cut of your settlement. Same price whether we recover $1,000 or $15,000.
- Certified appraisal reportVerified comparables, VIN details, repair severity analysis and regional pricing adjustments.
- Ready-to-send demand letterAddressed to the at-fault carrier, with the valuation attached.
- Claim support documentsPrice guides, market data and full valuation methodology.
- Full negotiation supportWe stay with you through the back-and-forth with the adjuster — reviewing their counters and helping you respond — until the claim is settled.
- 100% money-back guaranteeRecover under $1,000 with our report and we refund the fee in full.
Free estimate first, no credit card. Guarantee terms apply — see the money-back guarantee policy.
Before you file
Diminished value laws in your state
Almost every state allows a claim against the at-fault driver's insurer, but the rules and deadlines differ. Click your state.
See the full comparison, with statutes and filing deadlines, in the diminished value state laws guide. Car totaled instead? You need a total loss appraisal.
Questions
Diminished value FAQ
What is a diminished value claim?
It's a claim for the market value your car lost because of the accident, on top of the repair cost. Even a flawless repair leaves the accident on the vehicle history report, and buyers pay less for it.
Am I eligible?
Generally yes if another driver was at fault, your car was repaired rather than totaled, and it still has meaningful value. Newer vehicles with more severe damage have the largest claims.
Can I file a diminished value claim with my own insurance?
In some states, yes — Georgia is the clearest example, where you can file a diminished value claim on your own policy even when the other driver was at fault. In Georgia and North Carolina you can also invoke your policy's appraisal clause if you disagree with your insurer's figure, and SnapClaim represents you as your appraiser at no extra charge. Most other states exclude diminished value from your own coverage, so check your state's rules.
Will filing affect my insurance rates?
No. The claim goes to the at-fault driver's insurer, not your own policy, so there's nothing on your record.
Does this mean the repair was done badly?
No. The loss comes from the accident being on the history report, not the workmanship. Our appraisal states in writing that the vehicle was properly repaired.
How much can I recover?
It depends on pre-accident value, damage severity, mileage and your local market. Most claims come to several thousand dollars on a newer vehicle.
How long does the report take?
The free estimate takes about a minute. Your full appraisal report is ready within one business day.
What do you need from me?
Your VIN, mileage, and the repair estimate or invoice. Photos help but aren't required.
What if the insurer denies my claim?
Use the report and demand letter to push back. If they still won't move, the report is built to support small claims or an attorney taking it further.
What if the report doesn't help?
If you recover less than $1,000 using our report, we refund the fee in full. See the money-back guarantee policy.
Find out what your car lost after the accident
Free estimate first. Order the full report only if there's a loss worth claiming.
No credit card · $350 flat for the full report · money-back guarantee
