California - SnapClaim

Diminished Value Appraisal in
California

Get fast, accurate, and court-ready Diminished Value and Fair Market Value reports.
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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 California

In California, you can file a claim for diminished value as a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. An accident/damage history can reduce the value of your vehicle because the average buyer will almost always prefer a vehicle without an accident as opposed to one with a damage history. Fortunately, you can recover diminished value in California when you take the right steps.

California diminished value law

California jury instructions outline how plaintiffs may recover economic damages for harm to personal property, such as automobiles. The plaintiff must prove either the reduction in the vehicle’s value or the reasonable cost of repairing it—whichever is less. If both are proven, the lesser amount is awarded.

If the vehicle can be repaired but will still be worth less than before the harm, damages are calculated as (1) the difference in value before the harm and after repairs, and (2) the reasonable cost of repairs. However, the total award cannot exceed the vehicle’s pre-harm value.

If the vehicle is beyond repair, the diminished value is calculated by determining its fair market value before the harm and subtracting its fair market value afterward.

“Fair market value” is defined as the highest price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller, assuming:

There is no pressure on either party to buy or sell; and
Both buyer and seller have reasonable knowledge of all relevant facts about the vehicle’s condition.

How to file a diminished value claim in California

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.

California 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.

California Property Damage Minimum Limits: $5,000 in coverage

Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: Yes, it is an optional coverage proving up to $3,500 in uninsured motorist property damage per accident. This coverage only pays out in cases where the uninsured driver is identified, no coverage for hit and runs.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: No coverage

California Small Claims Court Limit: $5,000

attorney representation not allowed. Appeals are permitted within 30 days.

Testomonials

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.”

Sarah D.

“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.”

Emily R.

“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”

Jason T.

“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."

Omar L.

“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.”

Pria S.

“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..”

Aisha N.

Frequently asked questions:

What is a Diminished Value (DV) claim?

Diminished Value is the loss in market value a vehicle suffers after an accident, even after repairs. If your car has been in an accident caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss.
What is a Fair Market Value (FMV) report?

A Fair Market Value report estimates your vehicle’s current value based on verified market data. It’s commonly used for insurance negotiations, resale, legal cases, and total loss disputes.
What do I need to get started?

You’ll need your VIN number, mileage, repair document (if applicable), and your contact information. We’ll guide you step by step through the process.
What is your refund policy?

If you recover less than $1000 from your claim using our report, we offer a full refund of the report cost—no questions asked. Terms and conditions apply.