Guides

Diminished value is the money your car loses in resale value after an accident — even once it's fully repaired. Here's what it is, why it happens, and who owes it to you.

How diminished value is calculated — the insurance industry's 17c formula, why it lowballs you, and the market-comparison method that reflects what your car is actually worth.

A step-by-step guide to filing a diminished value claim after a car accident: the evidence you need, who to send it to, and how to handle a lowball response.

If your car was totaled and the insurance offer feels low, here's how actual cash value is determined, why offers come in low, and how to push back with real comparable listings.

What a diminished value claim is typically worth, the factors that raise or lower it, and how to find your car's actual number instead of accepting a lowball offer.

The appraisal clause lets you resolve a car value dispute with your insurer without going to court. Here's how it works, when to use it, and what it costs.

Why a reported accident lowers your car's resale value even after perfect repairs — how vehicle history reports work, how much value is lost, and what you can do about it.

Repaired or totaled? The two situations lead to very different claims. Here's how to tell which one applies to your car and what to do next.