Diminished Value Appraisal in
Connecticut

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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 Connecticut

If you were in an auto accident caused by another person in the state of Wisconsin, you have a right to file a diminished value claim. A previously damaged vehicle is less valuable compared to a similar vehicle with a clean history. Fortunately, you can recover this lost value through a diminished value claim if you weren’t at-fault.

Connecticut diminished value law

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

Plaintiff is entitled to recover the reasonable repair costs and any residual diminution in value. Key cases include: Littlejohn v. Elionsky, 36 A.2d 52 (Conn. 1944); Stults v. Palmer, 141 Conn. 709 (1954); Damico v. Dalton, 1 Conn. App. 186 (1984); Alexander v. Bailey, 55 Conn. L. Rptr. 653 (2013); Chenevert v. Turek, 2013 WL 6671512 (Conn. 2013); Corridino v. Kovaks, 2013 WL 8118969 (Conn. 2013); Sheldon v. Soucy, 2014 WL 1814279 (Conn. 2014); Bartnicki v. Stehr, 2014 WL 5094332 (Conn. 2014); Muckle v. Pressley, 2017 WL 1429932 (Conn. 2017).

The true rule is that the measure of damages is the difference between the fair market value of the vehicle immediately before and after the collision. However, if the automobile damage may be repaired and the repairs will restore the vehicle to substantially its former condition, the cost of repair will ordinarily furnish proper proof of the loss.

Although the plaintiff’s vehicle could be driven after it was repaired, it still had diminished value because of the accident, and consequently the vehicle was not restored to its former condition of “full” fair market value.

How to file a diminished value claim in Connecticut

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.

Connecticut diminished value law

Statute of Limitations: 2 years

Third Party Diminished Value Claim: Yes

First Party Diminished Value Claim: No

Most insurance policies will exclude diminished value.

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

Uninsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: No coverage

Underinsured Motorist Coverage for Diminished Value: No coverage

Connecticut Small Claims Court Limit: $5000

limit with no appeals allowed. Attorneys

How to File a Diminished Value Claim in Connecticut

In Connecticut, you may be entitled to recover the loss in value of your vehicle after an accident—even if it’s fully repaired—if the accident was caused by another driver. This is known as a Diminished Value (DV) claim. DV claims in Connecticut must be filed as third-party (“liability”) claims against the at-fault driver’s insurer (Connecticut General Assembly).

The right to DV recovery in Connecticut is supported by case law, including Littlejohn v. Elionsky (1944), Stults v. Palmer (1954), and Damico v. Dalton (1984), which confirm you can recover the difference between your vehicle’s pre-accident and post-repair fair market value in addition to repair costs (Jackson O’Keefe LLP).

Types of Diminished Value Recognized

Inherent (stigma) diminished value: Loss in market value simply because the vehicle now has an accident history, regardless of repair quality (D’Amico Law).
Repair-related diminished value: Devaluation caused by substandard or non-OEM repairs.
Immediate diminished value: Value loss directly after the accident—before repairs are even completed.

What You Should Document

Accident report: Police or incident documentation establishing fault.
Photos of the damage before repairs.
Photos after repairs showing the current condition.
Repair records: Estimates, invoices, and parts lists.
Independent DV appraisal: A certified report showing pre- and post-repair value difference. You can order a DV appraisal from SnapClaim and receive it in under an hour.

Step-by-Step: Filing a DV Claim in Connecticut

Establish fault: The other driver must be clearly at fault.
Complete repairs: DV is assessed after the vehicle is repaired or repair documentation is finalized.
Gather your evidence: Include your accident report, photos, repair invoices, and DV appraisal.
Submit a demand: File your claim with the at-fault insurer, including all supporting documents (SnapClaim can prepare a DV demand letter for you).
Negotiate: Be prepared for the insurer to counteroffer; strong documentation helps your case.
Consider legal action: If the claim is denied or undervalued, you may take the case to Small Claims Court for amounts up to $5,000 (Connecticut Judicial Branch).
Know your deadlines: You have two years from the accident date to file a DV claim (Connecticut General Statutes §52-584).

Why a Professional Appraisal Matters

Insurance companies often undervalue DV claims unless you provide a strong, independent appraisal backed by real market data. A SnapClaim appraisal delivers certified, court-ready documentation in under an hour—helping you negotiate from a position of strength.

References & Resources

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..”