Connecticut Diminished Value Claim
If you have been involved in an auto accident and your car has decreased in value because of it, you could be entitled to a diminished value claim. Even if repairs have been made to your vehicle after an accident, your vehicle may still lose significant value simply because of it’s accident history. In order to gain this value back, work with the experts at AutoLoss to file for a diminished value claim.
Diminished Value in Connecticut
The state of Connecticut is a diminished value state, meaning that you may be able to file for a diminished value claim if you are the victim of an accident.
In order to file for a diminished value claim in Connecticut, you must file within 2 years of the accident. Connecticut does not have uninsured motorist coverage and you cannot be the at-fault party to file for a claim.
The state of Georgia made a historical supreme court decision in “State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. Mabry et al., 274 Ga. 498 (2001),” that affects the diminished value laws in Connecticut. This decision ruled that insurers owed the insured the diminished value of their vehicle following an accident. However, many insurance companies have attempted to to use “Rule 17c” in order to avoid this supreme court ruling. Rule 17c is a fall back method of measuring diminished value in the absence of any other document. This measurement from the insurance company is typically much lower than the actual value and undervalues the car.
Autoloss provides accurate documentation that measures the diminished value of vehicles so consumers can receive a fair diminished value settlement.
About Diminished Value Claims
Diminished Value refers to the reduced value of a vehicle simply because it has a significant damage history. Even after the vehicle has been repaired to it’s optimal value, the market value of the vehicle may still be reduced. There are three types of diminished value that your case may fall under:
1. Inherent Diminished Value: This type of diminished value refers to the loss of value of a vehicle simply because it has been in accident. Even after the vehicle has been fully repaired, it may still be considered less valuable than a car that has no accident history. This type of diminished value is the most common and most highly accepted.
2. Repair-Related Diminished Value: A vehicle that experienced an accident and was not repaired properly may experience repair-related diminished value. Whether the car still has cosmetic damages or structural damages, it may experience loss in value due to incomplete repairs.
3. Immediate Diminished Value: Right after a vehicle has experienced an accident, it may lose value even before the owner has the chance to make repairs. Immediate diminished value can be calculated as the difference in resale value of a vehicle before the damage occurred and the resale value before repairs have been made after damage has occurred.
Auto Appraisals
When you need to know the true value of your vehicle, an auto appraisal by a professional at AutoLoss can help to make sure that you receive the best value for your unique vehicle. An auto appraisal takes into account the full history of the vehicle and provides you with an expert opinion on the vehicle’s value that you can then present to the bank, credit union, potential buyers, and insurance companies. There are many reasons as to why an individual may need an auto appraisal, which is why company’s such as AutoLoss provide a variety of Auto Appraisals.
A Stated Value Appraisal can help to establish the true market value of a vehicle that may be required from a bank, credit union, or insurance company. A Loss of Use Appraisal helps to value a business’ vehicle that has been involved in an accident but was necessary for business operations. This type of auto loss appraisal can help recover the value of the vehicle’s service to business. A Lease Termination Appraisal is best for individuals looking to get out of a lease early, and are determined by the vehicle, the market, and miles on the vehicle. Luxury Automobile Appraisals are another type of Auto Appraisal that help protect an individual’s investment. This type of appraisal ensures that the full value of the luxury vehicle is realized and proven. Auto Appraisals are also valuable for individuals looking to donate their car for tax write off purposes.
Total Loss Appraisals
When your vehicle is considered a “total loss”, the insurance company may make you an offer that is less than your desired amount. “Total Loss” of a vehicle refers to when the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds the cost of the vehicle’s worth. After damages occur, an insurance company may make you an offer for the cash value of the totaled vehicle minus your deductible on your comprehensive or collision coverage. A Total Loss Appraisal will ensure that this offer from the insurance company is accurate and provides you with the best value for your damaged vehicle.
FAQ’s
Do I have to sell my vehicle to make a diminished value claim?
No! Whether you want to sell your repaired vehicle right away, or 10 years after the claim is your business. The drop in value occurs immediately, and you are entitled to be compensated immediately.
Why should I care about diminished value?
Your insurance company will pay to repair your vehicle, but after a collision, it’s less marketable than before the wreck. When you sell the vehicle, you will be forced to absorb a loss, unless you make a Diminished Value claim.
For example, if your $30,000 vehicle is repaired after a major collision, it may only be worth $20,000. Is that fair to you? No! A Diminished Value claim allows you to get a settlement for the difference in market value for a pre-and-post crash vehicle.
It is almost impossible for an insurance company to deny a diminished value claim to an insured claimant.
What is fair market value?
Fair market value is the highest monetary price your property will receive once exposed to an open market, allowing time to find a willing buyer, where full disclosure of all uses, purposes and adaptations of current or capable uses of the property are made.
Be certain, and exercise your right to a competitive appraisal.
