Diminished value represents the loss in a vehicle’s market worth following an accident, even after repairs have been completed. This loss occurs because a repaired vehicle is generally considered less desirable than a comparable vehicle with no accident history. For instance, a sedan involved in a collision and subsequently repaired might sell for thousands less than an identical sedan that has never been damaged. Determining the magnitude of this depreciation involves specific calculation methods.
Quantifying the loss after repairs is essential for vehicle owners seeking fair compensation from insurance companies following an accident caused by another party. Accurately assessing this reduction in value allows for a more complete financial recovery. The concept of post-repair depreciation has gained increasing recognition over time, prompting the development of various formulas and appraisal techniques designed to provide a more objective estimation of the financial impact of an accident.
