Expert Diminished Value Report

What Do Diminished Value Appraisers Do?

A diminished value report from a professional diminished value appraiser helps prove your case against an at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Diminished Value appraisers determine the loss in a vehicle’s market value as a result of having been in an accident and repaired. Diminished value, or DV, depends on the severity of the damages endured and the quality and preciseness of the repair. A percentage of its original value can be restored but to what extent must be determined by a recognized diminished value expert.

The difference remaining between the vehicle’s original pre-loss value and the restored value is considered the loss related diminished value, commonly referred to as“DV”. We have been hired by both vehicle owners and insurance companies in need of an accurate diminished value auto appraisal report created by a qualified and trained professional.

Rear end of wrecked gray Porsche will need a diminished value appraisal

Before

Gray Porsche after repair awaits diminished value appraisal.jpg

After

Mauro D Andrea

It’s simple, Would you buy a car if you knew it was previously in an a previous accident? Prior accidents reduce the value of a vehicle and must be documented in a vehicle’s history, protecting future buyers. When you sell a car that has been damaged in an accident, you will get less for it, therefore it’s important to receive compensation for diminished value at the time of a loss.

When you sell a car that has been damaged in an accident, you will get less for it, therefore it’s important to receive compensation for diminished value at the time of a loss.

The answer most likely heard is NO. A logical buyer would not pay the same for a vehicle with a blemished history report as opposed to a vehicle with a clean bill of health. Even if the repairs were done perfectly, the vehicle will still be valued less and inferior to one that was never in an accident.

WARNING
1. Instant auto appraisal reports are often dismissed and carry very little weight.

2. All in One Services can be very one sided and possibly not in your best interest.

3. Formula based print outs that don’t include specifics are integral to specific vehicles.

4. Non-auto industry (impostor) appraisers that don’t know an LX from EX or a 6 cylinder from an 8. This all equates to thousands of lost appraisal dollars! And not having the correct evidence when needed to recover your claim.

5. Internet appraisals that offer cheap prices for a DV amount producing a simple “DV figure” then charge hundreds more to retrieve the DV report.

6. Services that wont pick up the phone and talk to you or charge phone time.

Did you know? CARFAX and other accident history report services might not report information immediately. The actual reporting might not occur for months or even a year or more post-loss. What does this mean to the value of your car?

If you are the owner of a vehicle and think you have no worries because you ran a report and there was no accident indicator… think again.

When potentially selling your car to a dealer or private party they will run a accident history report again and potentially reveal the accident suffered prior. Of course this is always the most UN-opportune time to have to deal with negotiating the price down, price cuts in half or losing the sale altogether. Diminished Value is real and can severely reduce the sales price of any car. Make sure you are compensated for your damages before you end up being cornered and have to sell your second biggest investment for much less than you had intended.

COLLECTING DIMINISHED VALUE

It’s a Process

Let me preface this by stating I am not a lawyer and if you need legal consult please contact a lawyer in your state today.

1. Insurance companies usually require the claimant to get an independent appraiser to create a report on the exact vehicle with detailed information that will have specific data such as prior loss values, post loss value, real time sales results, an exact methodology that exemplifies the diminished value amount. The burden of proof here is on the claimant, making sure all the ducks are in a row. Having an auto expert with excellent knowledge and a CV that includes years of automotive experience and currently carries an automotive title in a major market always helps.

2.The claimant will usually send the report via certified mail with a letter explaining what they are owed including any loss of use or expenses related to the claim, etc.

3. Insurance companies will either pay out the claim, counter offer or deny the claim.

4. Business as usual; since the client is a victim of a loss he has the option to file a small claims (saving lawyer fees) or civil lawsuit against the at fault party.

5. A decision will be made based on the evidence provided by both parties.

This was the simple version of course. There are other steps in between that can and will be utilized during the ongoing process depending on certain conditions and how fast or slow one can or wants to move.

The support of an auto mediator can become quite essential from the get go. From the process awaiting to hear back from the insurance company in the first step to receiving the monies owed for diminished value definitely run smoother when support from a knowledgeable mediator is at hand. It pays to ask the appraiser if they charge on contingency, a flat fee or if support services are included.

Some lawyers might charge large percentages of the DV amount leaving you with a very low percentage when you could have attained the same result for much less money. Also some diminished value appraisal services might charge for phone support, additional form letters and other services tallying up a much larger bill than anticipated. I have even heard of some services that don’t ever come to the phone and only answer by email with extremely late responses. It pays to know who you are dealing with so just pick up the phone and ask. First impressions can tell you a lot about a person and what type of experience you might have in the future with them.

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Why choosing an “Expert” is your most important decision

Whatever you do in processing your claim get the report done by a qualified auto appraiser. This can harm your claim throughout the process and cost you more money than you expected. This is not a race you want to start behind in and you will find that a good appraiser is worth his weight and will provide down the line. If you do not select us we can gladly recommend alternate auto appraisers that are competent and fully qualified that are responsible.

When you receive constant push-back from the insurance company and there is no avail other than to try your case in court (civil or small claims), a judge will most likely decide the case based on your extremely strong evidence.

This is where an expert with experience, training, a specific knowledge of the subject matter, technical background in the valuation process of vehicles, specialized skills in pricing and someone who is currently involved in the automotive auction process as well as a skilled mediator properly trained by the best university in the country for dispute resolution will help in the practical proof of your claim.

In some states mediation is mandatory prior to trial and this can be very important in utilizing our mediation knowledge and guidance. Most importantly you need to be prepared for your claim and our support will help guide you through the process. If need be (optional-court fees apply) we can act as Expert Witness in your case but this service is not mandatory.

TESTIMONIALS

From Our Clients

I was very happy when after submitting Auto Mediator's Diminished Value report the other side immediately acknowledged his expertise and his brand. I was able to recover the fair amount $70,000+.

Maria B

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Our Law firm recently obtained a record settlement of $87,350 for diminished value and loss of use to a 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S based on Steve's report.

Russ Kerr
– Kerr and Sheldon law firm

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