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Interactive guide · Insurance

How to Calculate Diminished Value Claim

What a repaired vehicle loses in resale value, and whether you can claim it.

Open as a plain tool
The formula

How this number is built

diminished value = value × base cap × damage factor × mileage factor × class factor
Step by step

Calculating it yourself

Step 1

Establish pre-accident market value from comparable local listings.

Step 2

Obtain the full repair estimate showing what was replaced and whether structure was involved.

Step 3

Get an independent appraisal — insurers rarely volunteer a diminished value payment.

Step 4

File against the at-fault driver's insurer, since first-party claims are usually excluded.

Questions

What people ask next

Can I claim it on my own policy?

Usually not. Most first-party policies exclude diminished value; it is a third-party claim.

Does a clean repair remove the loss?

No. The accident appears on vehicle history reports regardless of repair quality, and that is what buyers discount.

Search intent

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Estimates, not advice. Every figure here is produced from the inputs you enter and the formula printed on the page. Rules differ by state, carrier, lender and contract, so use these numbers to prepare for a conversation with a qualified professional rather than to replace one. See our full disclaimer.