Small claims · UT
Utah small claims court for diminished value claims
In Utah, small claims cases are heard in Small claims (usually filed in Justice Court), which handles claims up to $20,000. If an insurer will not pay a diminished value claim and the amount is within the limit, this is where an owner can sue the at-fault driver. You bring the evidence, and the judge decides.
Court
Small claims (usually filed in Justice Court)
Claim limit
$20,000
Attorneys
Allowed, not required
Deadline to sue
3 years
Utah courts
How small claims court works in Utah
- Claim limit
- $20,000. The limit is $20,000 from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029, including attorney fees but not court costs or interest, and is scheduled to rise to $25,000 on January 1, 2030. A vehicle property damage claim can be brought in small claims without limiting a separate bodily injury claim against the same defendant. Utah Code § 78A-8-102(1), (5).
- Where to file
- File in the court for the place where the defendant lives or where the events happened; small claims cases are usually filed in a justice court.
- Attorneys
- People and corporations may litigate with or without counsel, in person or through authorized employees (Utah Code § 78A-8-102(6)).
- Filing fee
- $60 for claims of $2,000 or less, $100 for claims over $2,000 but under $7,500, $185 for claims of $7,500 or more (justice court), plus service costs
- Appeals
- Either party may appeal within 28 days of the judgment to the district court, where the case is heard as a new trial (trial de novo); that decision generally cannot be appealed further.
Who you sue
Ask the Small claims (usually filed in Justice Court) clerk how to name the defendant. In most states that is the at-fault driver, not the insurance company.
Diminished value law in Utah
A claim against the at-fault driver in Utah: allowed by case law. The general deadline to sue for vehicle property damage is 3 years (Utah Code § 78B-2-305(1)(a)(ii)). The cases and statutes are on the Utah diminished value page.
What to bring
See using an appraisal in small claims court for the evidence list and what to ask the Small claims (usually filed in Justice Court) clerk.
Sources
Researched October 11, 2026. General information from an appraisal perspective, not legal advice.
Evidence
An appraisal for an Utah claim
An Utah diminished-value appraisal is typically $250–$350 and comes with a custom demand letter. Autoloss is not a law firm and does not represent you in court.
Utah small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Utah?
$20,000 in Small claims (usually filed in Justice Court). The limit is $20,000 from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029, including attorney fees but not court costs or interest, and is scheduled to rise to $25,000 on January 1, 2030. A vehicle property damage claim can be brought in small claims without limiting a separate bodily injury claim against the same defendant.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims court in Utah?
People and corporations may litigate with or without counsel, in person or through authorized employees (Utah Code § 78A-8-102(6)).
How long do I have to sue in Utah?
Utah generally allows 3 years to sue for vehicle property damage (Utah Code § 78B-2-305(1)(a)(ii)). Talking with the insurer does not pause the deadline.
Can an Utah small claims decision be appealed?
Either party may appeal within 28 days of the judgment to the district court, where the case is heard as a new trial (trial de novo); that decision generally cannot be appealed further.
Taking an Utah claim to court?
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.