An error on the State of Missouri Department of Insurance website demonstrates how widespread mis-information is about Diminished Value.
This Kansas City Star article tells how the state’s web site forgets to mention the difference between first-party and third-party Diminished Value claims. An expert quoted in the story says, “They’re the insurance department. They should know better. It’s like a mechanic not knowing the difference between a spark plug and a lug nut.”
Fortunately, the Missouri DOI has updated the information in its “Understanding Your Auto Claim” article. Now the document informs consumers that “Missouri courts have included diminished value as recoverable damages” for third-party claims.
