Tool
Diminished value calculator
This calculator gives a rough estimate of diminished value by applying a percentage to your vehicle’s approximate pre-accident value, based on how severe the damage was. It is a starting point for deciding whether a claim is worth pursuing, not a formal appraisal, and not a figure to send to an insurer.
What the estimate can and can’t do
A real diminished-value figure comes from the market: what comparable vehicles with and without accident history actually sell for. That depends on the make and model, mileage, trim, where the damage was, how well it was repaired, and your local market. No formula captures all of that.
Use this number to judge whether a claim is worth your time. If the estimate is meaningful relative to the appraisal fee, a free claim review will tell you whether a full appraisal is likely to help.
What the vehicle would have sold for just before the accident.
Rough estimate
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Not an appraisal. Real value depends on comparables, repair quality, mileage and history.
Common questions
Is the calculator result what the insurer will pay?
No. It is a rough starting point based on one percentage. Insurers pay based on evidence, negotiation and state law. An appraisal supported by comparable vehicles is the evidence.
What about Georgia’s 17c formula?
Some insurers use a formula often called “17c,” which caps the loss at 10% of the vehicle’s value and then reduces it with damage and mileage multipliers. It tends to produce low figures. It is an insurer method, not a legal requirement, and a market-based appraisal does not use it.
Why doesn’t the calculator use my repair cost?
Repair cost is one sign of how serious the damage was, but market value loss depends more on the type of damage, especially structural or frame work, and on the vehicle itself. The appraisal looks at the actual repair records.
Not sure whether an appraisal will help?
The claim review is free: we look at your situation and tell you whether an appraisal is likely to help. The appraisal itself is a paid report. We help from start to finish, including a custom demand letter, and our support staff is a phone call away throughout the process.