Louisiana - SnapClaim

Diminished Value Appraisal in
Louisiana

Get fast, accurate, and court-ready Diminished Value and Fair Market Value reports.
No guesswork, No delays. Trusted by insurers and legal professionals.

Free Estimate

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 Louisiana

If your vehicle was damaged in an accident in the state of Louisiana and underwent repairs, its resale value is likely to be less than what it was before the crash. This holds true even if your vehicle was perfectly repaired and looks as good as new. This loss in market value is known as diminished value, and it is recoverable in Louisiana through a diminished value claim filed with the at-fault party’s insurance company.

Louisiana diminished value law

Louisiana is a diminished value state, meaning there is case law supporting your legal right to compensation when another party is at fault. You have one year from the date of loss to file a diminished value claim.

Louisiana Revised Statutes §2800.17
2011 Louisiana Laws
Title 9 — Civil Code Ancillaries
RS 9:2800.17 — Liability for the diminution in the value of a damaged vehicle

Whenever a motor vehicle is damaged through the negligence of a third party without being destroyed, and if the owner can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that, if the vehicle were repaired to its pre-loss condition, its fair market value would be less than its value before it was damaged, the owner of the damaged vehicle shall be entitled to recover as additional damages an amount equal to the diminution in the value of the vehicle.

However, the total damages recovered shall not exceed the fair market value of the vehicle prior to the damage. The amount paid for diminished value shall also be considered when determining whether the vehicle is a total loss under R.S. 32:702.

In other words, a vehicle owner in Louisiana can recover both the diminished value and the cost to repair the vehicle.

How to file a diminished value claim in Louisiana

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.

Louisiana diminished value law

Statute of Limitations: 1 year

Third Party Diminished Value Claim: Yes

First Party Diminished Value Claim: No

Most insurance policies will exclude diminished value.

Louisiana Property Damage Minimum Limits: $25,000 in coverage

Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: You may only purchase UMPD if you do not have collision coverage on your policy. It’s an optional coverage. It includes coverage for hit and run drivers that flee the scene, but there must be physical contact between the vehicles.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: Yes, this coverage comes in handy when the at-fault insurance company doesn’t have enough coverage.

Louisiana Small Claims Court Limit: $5000

attorney representation is permitted. You have no right to appeal the court’s decision.

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.