Washington - SnapClaim

Diminished Value Appraisal in
Washington

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 Washington

Auto accidents happen daily. If we are lucky, we have the chance to walk away from an accident unhurt, with the only damage being to the vehicles involved. But even when no one is hurt, we are still left with a major financial burden. If you are in an accident, your vehicle likely lost significant value. Even with the best repair work, it’s simply not worth the same amount that it was before. Fortunately, you can recover this lost value through a diminished value claim in Washington if you weren’t at-fault.

Washington diminished value law

The Washington Pattern Jury Instructions recognize diminished value as a compensable form of damage through WPI 30.10, which outlines the measure of damages for personal property. The jury is instructed to award the lesser of two calculations:

WPI 30.10 – Measure of Damages—Damage to Personal Property
Source: Wash. Pattern Jury Instr. Civ. WPI 30.10 (7th ed.)

Option 1: The reasonable cost of necessary repairs to the damaged property, plus the difference in the property’s fair cash market value immediately before the occurrence and its value after being repaired.

Option 2: The difference in fair cash market value of the property immediately before the occurrence and the value of the unrepaired property immediately after the occurrence.

This legal standard allows Washington vehicle owners to pursue compensation for the inherent loss in value following damage—even when repairs are made—so long as it is the lesser of the two formulas above.

How to file a diminished value claim in Washington

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.

Washington 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.

Washington Property Damage Minimum Limits: $10,000 in coverage

Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: Yes, it’s an optional coverage. It includes coverage for hit and run drivers that flee the scene without being identified, uninsured motorists, and underinsured motorists.

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

Washington Small Claims Court Limit: $10,000

attorneys are excluded from participating. Appeals are permitted.

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.