Education
What is diminished value?
Diminished value is the difference between what your vehicle would have been worth without the accident history and what it is worth after it is repaired.
The car can look and drive well and still sell for less because buyers and dealers discount accident history.
When it usually comes up
After a crash that was not your fault, the at-fault insurer often pays for repairs. They may not mention that the vehicle’s resale value can still drop. Some states recognize this as a claimable loss; rules vary. This page is education, not legal advice and not a promise you will recover money.
What a report is for
A diminished value report documents the loss with vehicle facts, market evidence, and a reasoned opinion. AppraiseMint’s Free Estimate is a ballpark so you are not paying hundreds just to learn the range. A paid Essentials report is a claim-support package for people filing their own claim. Certified adds appraiser review and signature when you want that. If you already have a report, Existing Report Review assesses gaps and readiness without creating a new package.
What this is not
We are not an insurance company. We do not negotiate with insurers. We do not provide legal representation. No report guarantees a settlement.