What is Inherent Diminished Value?

Inherent Diminished Value is defined as "loss in market value due to damage history." With the increasing ability to locate a vehicles' damage history through Internet services like Carfax, consumer awareness is high, making a wrecked vehicle more difficult to sell or trade without a significant amount of loss to your wallet. This loss is also the result of any visible evidence of the damage history or repair process, even though the vehicle may have been repaired to the best of human ability.

Examples of inherent diminished value are noticeable differences in gloss, non-factory appearance of the repaired area, missing VIN decals, kinetic damage, molecular deformity, structural weakness, etc. Almost every damaged vehicle will have some measure of inherent diminished value, which is not the fault of the insurer or shop, but is still an actual loss to the consumer. This loss is owed by the insurer in both claimant and insured situations due to the implied and contractual promise to make one whole.

Using the Wreck Check system and the damage history of your vehicle, we will be able to formulate an opinion of the amount of inherent diminished value that your vehicle would lose in your specific market area. The report cost is $199.95 which includes (free of charge) 1 to 3 sample suggested letters depending on your particular claim history.
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