Had an Accident?

What is Diminished Value?

Diminished Value is the amount you're not going to get when you sell you car because it's been in an accident. If your vehicle suffered significant damage in an accident that was not your fault, you are entitled to file a claim for the Diminished Value.

- A reasonable buyer will not pay the same price for a vehicle with an accident history.
- By law you are required to disclose the accident history of a car when you sell it.
- No matter how good the repairs are, no one can "fix" the Carfax report.
- Your repaired car can never qualify as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle.

What can you do?

Call your local Professional Auto Appraiser's appraiser who can determine the Diminished Value of your car as a result of an accident.

What is Prior to Loss?

The Prior to Loss value is what your car was worth prior to the accident.

If you have been in an accident and it has been determined that the car is a total loss, the insurance company will need to pay to replace your car. Chances are they will not offer you enough to actually buy a similar car with the same miles and options.

Auto Appraisal Network will determine the Prior to Loss value of your car using local market data and making allowances for mileage, options and condition.

Any portion of a Diminished Value or Prior to Loss claim that is not paid, can also be written off on your itemized income taxes including the appraisal fee to have the diminished value appraisal performed.

Use IRS Form 4684 for itemizing Diminished Value and appraisal fees on your taxes.