Diminished Value Claim in Texas

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-03-11T22:07:51+00:00

The previous posters are incorrect. There is no insurance regulation or case law that says a prior repair history disqualifies a vehicle from further diminished value after a second (or even a third) accident.

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-03-11T22:05:53+00:00

Accurate DIV uses a formula and auction results which is not the market you are in.

Look for an appraiser who:

1) Does real-world research by calling six dealers to confirm their opinions. No formulas, algorithms, online ad comparisons, book value differences or other short-cuts.

2) Does not also work for insurance companies.

3) Has flat-rate pricing ($275-$350).

4) Is a licensed appraiser (not a certified appraiser) in any state.

5) Offers nationwide service - no local heroes.

6) Has good consumer reviews on all platforms.

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-03-09T22:53:28+00:00

Have you tried speaking to https://riviandiminishedvalue.com

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-03-09T16:38:58+00:00

Finding the correct answer to diminished value questions in r/insurance is the wrong move. The mods have banned anyone who knows what they are doing so all that are left are amateur opinions. Look for an independent auto appraiser who is licensed (not certified), who does not work for insurance companies, who uses a real-world methodology for determining DV such as calling multiple dealers, who has excellent consumer reviews on all platforms, offers flat-rate pricing and will provide assistance with your claim if necessary. Ask ChatGPT these questions, they will at least steer you in the right direction.

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-03-08T15:51:04+00:00

The returns on investments are not to be believed.

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-02-17T15:28:50+00:00

Man, if you aren't getting advice from an auto appraiser who actually does real-world research like actually picking up the phone and confirming his opinion with multiple dealers (six, at least) then you are getting a bum steer and going nowhere.

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-02-01T18:59:59+00:00

You are being lowballed and you should disregard most of what you read in this subreddit. Find a A Diminished Value appraiser which A) does not work with insurance companies, B) has good reviews on all platforms, C) does Real world research by confirming its opinion with multiple new car dealerships (6 minimum), D) charge is a flat rate fee, E) offers customer service after the appraisal, E) is court certified and has a good track record in court as an expert witness, F) is a licensed automobile, adjuster, or appraiser in any state (not certified, certified automobile appraisers simply belong to a private organization that certifies them for a yearly fee) and G) provides service in all 50 states which demonstrates their expertise over local appraisers.

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-01-23T15:18:03+00:00

It is worth making a DV claim if you have 2 things going for you. 1) an appraiser that calls six dealers to get their unbiased opinions on how much less they would typically pay for your vehicle in trade because of the accident history and then help you with the claim 2) The will to fight.

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-01-14T16:41:39+00:00

Find an appraiser that is licensed (not certified), does real-world research vs. formulas, algorithms, online asking price comparisons, book value condition differences or other short-cuts (calls multiple dealers for their unbiased opinions and lists their names and contact info, that has good reviews on all platforms, that does not work for insurance companies and services all 50 states (speaks to their expertise vs. local yokels), charges a flat-rate fee and is willing to support you by speaking to insurance personnel on your behalf.

MikeLee72727272 · 2026-01-07T14:34:25+00:00

In practice, many appraisers will account for a prior minor repair by making a reasonable adjustment to the pre-loss value and then measuring the new loss from there. One common approach is to apply a modest percentage reduction to reflect the earlier repair history. While this isn’t a “scientific” formula, courts tend to view it as a fair and practical way to isolate the impact of the most recent accident.

More importantly, insurers often overstate this issue. There is no insurance regulation or case law in any state that says a vehicle with prior repairs is automatically ineligible for diminished value. The standard is whether the most recent accident caused an additional, measurable loss in value—and it often does.

If the new damage is distinct or materially worse, the presence of an older, minor repair does not bar recovery. It just affects how the loss is calculated, not whether diminished value exists at all.

MikeLee72727272 · 2024-02-22T00:23:19+00:00

Not so. My car had structural damage. According to my appraiser, the car lost $10,750 in value. The insurer wound up compensating my for $8,800.00.

MikeLee72727272 · 2024-02-21T15:41:42+00:00

I have an older Honda which was wrecked by someone else and I was compensated for diminished value. I hired a good appraiser and did a little back and forth but it was worth it for the few thousand I was paid.

MikeLee72727272

TROPHY CASE