Diminished Value Appraisal in
Arkansas
Get fast, accurate, and court-ready Diminished Value and Fair Market Value reports.
No guesswork, No delays. Trusted by insurers and legal professionals.
No credit card required.
Recover What Insurance Owes You After an Accident
SnapClaim makes it easy to recover your car’s lost value after an accident. We provide a free estimate, a fully certified appraisal report, and a ready-to-send demand letter — all within minutes. No guesswork, no waiting.
“I had no idea my car had lost that much value after the crash. SnapClaim gave me everything I needed to file the diminished value claim — I got the report in less than an hour.”
Mark
Vehicle Owner, Colorado
Filing A Diminished Value Claim In Arkansas
Were you in an auto accident in Arkansas that wasn’t your fault? If so, you’re eligible to file a diminished value claim. After a vehicle has been damaged, it immediately loses value. Repairs can restore a portion of the lost value, but even the best repairs won’t bring it back to full value. The remaining loss in value, however, is not totally lost. Known as diminished value, it is recoverable when you take the right steps.
Arkansas diminished value law
Arkansas is a diminished value state with established case law supporting a vehicle owner’s right to seek compensation for loss in value after an accident. Courts have affirmed that diminished value is compensable when repairs do not fully restore the vehicle’s condition and worth.
MFA Ins. Co. v. Citizens Nat. Bank of Hope, 545 S.W.2d 70 (Ark. 1977)
Supreme Court of Arkansas
Filed: 1977
Precedential status: Precedential
Citations: 545 S.W.2d 70
In this case, the court ruled that if repairs fail to substantially restore the vehicle to its prior condition and value, the proper measure of damages is the difference in value between the vehicle’s worth before the accident and its value after both the accident and subsequent repairs.
How to file a diminished value claim in Arkansas
Step 1. Get a free estimate. Start by checking if your vehicle qualifies for a diminished value claim. SnapClaim provides a fast, no-cost estimate to help you understand your potential recovery.
Step 2. Order your certified appraisal report. If eligible, SnapClaim will generate a professional, independent diminished value appraisal—often in minutes. This report is formatted for insurance use and backed by industry data.
Step 3. Submit your claim. Along with your appraisal, SnapClaim provides a pre-filled demand letter to send to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This makes it easy to start the claims process without a lawyer.
Step 4. Settle your claim. Most insurers will respond with a settlement offer. You can choose to accept, negotiate, or escalate the claim. If needed, SnapClaim can help you provide documentation to support further action.
SnapClaim is designed to help you recover fair compensation with less stress, faster turnaround, and no upfront legal fees.
Money-back guarantee: If your final insurance recovery is under $1,000, SnapClaim will refund 100% of your appraisal fee. We only succeed when you do.
Arkansas diminished value law
Statute of Limitations: 3 years
Third Party Diminished Value Claim: Yes
First Party Diminished Value Claim: No
Most insurance policies will exclude diminished value.
Arkansas Property Damage Minimum Limits: $25,000 in coverage
Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: Yes, insurers are required to offer UMPD, but it can be rejected in writing if you don’t want the coverage. $25,000 in uninsured motorist property damage per accident. It includes coverage for hit and run drivers with physical contact between the vehicles.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: Yes, this coverage pays when you’re struck by another party who does not have sufficient liability coverage to pay for all of your damages.
Arkansas Small Claims Court Limit: $5000
Attorney representation is not allowed, appeals are permitted.
How to File a Diminished Value Claim in Arkansas
Arkansas is a diminished value (DV) state, meaning vehicle owners can seek compensation for the loss in their car’s market value after an accident caused by another driver—even if the vehicle has been fully repaired. The right to recover DV in Arkansas is supported by state law and case precedent, including Criswell v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. (Ark. 1993), which recognized recovery for the difference between a vehicle’s pre-accident and post-repair fair market value (McDonald Injury Law).
In most cases, DV recovery applies only to third-party claims—claims against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. First-party claims (against your own insurer) generally do not include DV unless explicitly stated in your policy (Harris Law Firm).
Types of Property Damage Claims in Arkansas
- First-party (collision) claim: Filed with your own insurer; DV recovery is not typically included unless policy language allows.
- Third-party (liability) claim: Filed against the at-fault driver’s insurer; DV recovery is recognized and compensable under Arkansas law.
Understanding Diminished Value
Diminished value is the loss in a vehicle’s fair market value after it has been damaged in an accident and repaired. In Arkansas, three main types are recognized (McDonald Injury Law):
- Inherent Diminished Value: The loss in value due solely to the vehicle’s accident history, even if repairs are perfect.
- Repair-Related Diminished Value: The loss in value due to substandard repairs or use of non-OEM parts.
- Immediate Diminished Value: The loss in value right after the accident, before repairs are performed.
What You Should Document
Gathering detailed evidence is crucial to a successful DV claim in Arkansas:
- Accident report – Obtain a copy of the police report.
- Photos of damage – Multiple angles, taken before repairs begin.
- Photos after repairs – To show the repaired condition.
- Repair documentation – Estimates, invoices, and parts used.
- Professional DV appraisal – Conducted by a certified appraiser to determine pre-accident vs. post-repair market value (Harris Law Firm).
Step-by-Step: Filing a Diminished Value Claim in Arkansas
- Establish fault: Confirm the other driver was at fault through a police report or insurer’s acceptance of liability.
- Complete repairs: DV is measured after repairs are finished.
- Obtain an appraisal: A certified DV appraisal is essential for substantiating your claim (McDonald Injury Law).
- Submit a demand package: Include your appraisal, repair documents, and supporting evidence to the at-fault insurer.
- Negotiate: Expect the insurer to dispute or undervalue your DV claim. Cite Arkansas case law and include strong evidence to support your position.
- Consider legal representation: If negotiations fail, consult an attorney experienced in Arkansas DV claims for litigation options.
- Meet the deadline: Arkansas’s statute of limitations for property damage, including DV claims, is 3 years from the date of the accident (Arkansas Code § 16-56-105).
Why an Appraiser Matters
Insurance companies often undervalue DV claims or reject them entirely without strong evidence. A professional, certified appraiser’s report can provide the credibility needed to secure fair compensation, both in negotiations and in court.
Tip: For a certified diminished value appraisal in Arkansas, reach out to SnapClaim.com.
References
See what ourclientsare sharing about us!
“I didn’t know about diminished value until I found SnapClaim. Their report was done in minutes, and the support team explained everything clearly. I used the letter they provided and ended up with an extra $3,200. Super easy.”
“SnapClaim helped me file a diminished value claim after repairs. The process was smooth, fast, and I received more money than expected. Their team handled everything so I could focus on getting my car and life back to normal.”
“I uploaded my repair estimate and got a professional report the same day. SnapClaim made everything so simple. Their platform saved me hours of back-and-forth with insurance and got me a solid payout”
“After my car was totaled, SnapClaim gave me a fair market value report that clearly beat the insurance offer. I submitted it with my claim and they increased the payout. The process was fast, fair, and worth every penny."
“SnapClaim made a huge difference for me. I had no clue how to value my vehicle post-accident. Their diminished value report was detailed, with comps and expert review. I sent it in and got a great settlement in less than a week. Truly amazing.”
“SnapClaim is a game-changer. I used their fair market value report after a total loss, and it helped me negotiate a much better offer. The design, speed, and clarity of the report made a real difference with my adjuster..”
Certified appraisal report in minutes.
Let us help you recover the true value of your car
Free Estimate, no credit card required.
