Originally Posted by fierostetz (Post 2976627)

Yeah consumer's pretty boned if they handle it themselves. Different states, different laws, its always worth asking about. I've been able to recoup the entire value of the repair as diminished value but YMMV. I'm also comfortable with our legal system, that helps a lot.


In my case, a neighbor backed into my car doing $6000 of damage, collapsed a door and bent the frame of my "IT equipment hauler" golf. I had it on camera from 3 different angles and allowed them to perjure themselves with a police officer before I showed the officer my footage. My case was strong.

I've also had luck with having my insurance company (USAA) handle things, and they deal with everything with the opposing insurance company for me. USAA's requirements for body work are much more stringent than most, so if I have a choice, I'd like things repaired to USAA's standards.

Originally Posted by BaatLuk (Post 2976776)

Just curious, your neighbor or their insurance company paid you $6k for "diminished value"? How did you manage to do that? Did you have to hire a lawyer and pay any legal fees?

Originally Posted by fierostetz (Post 2976627)

I've also had luck with having my insurance company (USAA) handle things, and they deal with everything with the opposing insurance company for me. USAA's requirements for body work are much more stringent than most, so if I have a choice, I'd like things repaired to USAA's standards.

Originally Posted by Summerwolf (Post 2976967)

USAA sent me to a horrible place the one time I used their recommended shop, lesson learned. Their standards are just the same as any insurance company.

Originally Posted by Tcoat (Post 2976185)

So which is it?

The value lost is directly proportional to the extent of the damage. You do not lose thousands of dollars on a $650 bumper repair.

Originally Posted by DIMINISHEDVALUE (Post 2976940)

After having prepared thousand s of automobile diminished value reports I can say with a great deal of certainty that you have lost $2000-$3500 in value as a result of the accident damage.

Originally Posted by TwistedGray (Post 2977073)

Just because you say you don't does not mean you don't. The value can most certainly drop more than the cost of the repair, and it does. You can argue it otherwise as much as you want, but I have both bought and sold enough vehicles with accident history to know.

Originally Posted by Tcoat (Post 2977080)

Good for you.
And may I note in response: Just because you say you do does not mean you do.

Originally Posted by TwistedGray (Post 2977120)

Don't tell my wife that. She might be convinced that I can be wrong sometimes.

Originally Posted by DIMINISHEDVALUE (Post 2976940)

After having prepared thousand s of automobile diminished value reports I can say with a great deal of certainty that you have lost $2000-$3500 in value as a result of the accident damage. Next is to convince the insurance company of that so don't be a cheapskate of a do it yourselfer. Obtain a comprehensive DV report and then prepare to escalate your claim up the ladder until you obtain a satisfactory settlement.