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Diminished Value Calculator

Someone hit your car. It got repaired. But it's still worth less now, even with a perfect repair. That lost value is called diminished value, and the at-fault party's insurance may owe it to you.

Most people never file a diminished value claim

Insurance companies aren't going to bring this up. When someone else hits your vehicle, their insurance pays to fix it, but your car's resale value still drops because it now has an accident on its history. In most states, you have the legal right to recover that lost value from the at-fault party's insurance. This calculator uses the 17c formula to estimate what you could be owed.

Calculate Your Diminished Value

Based on the industry-standard 17c formula

Your Vehicle's Pre-Accident Value

What was your car worth before the accident? Check KBB or NADA.

Fair Market Value The private-party value before the accident occurred

Damage Severity

How bad was the damage? This determines the damage multiplier.

1.00x

Severe Structural

Frame damage, major structural repairs, airbag deployment, extensive welding required

0.75x

Major Damage

Panel replacement, significant body work, suspension or mechanical components affected

0.50x

Moderate Damage

Fender or bumper replacement, moderate dents requiring body filler, multiple panels repainted

0.25x

Minor Damage

Small dents, scratches, single panel repaint, bumper scuffs, minor cosmetic work

Vehicle Mileage at Time of Accident

Lower mileage vehicles have higher diminished value claims.

Get your diminished value report

We will send you a detailed breakdown you can use when filing your claim with the at-fault party's insurance.

Estimated Diminished Value

How We Calculated This (17c Formula)

Vehicle pre-accident value

10% cap (maximum diminished value per 17c)

10%

Base diminished value

Damage severity multiplier ()

Mileage multiplier ()

Your diminished value claim

What to Do Next

Get a professional diminished value appraisal. The 17c formula is a starting point, but a licensed appraiser can often justify a higher amount based on comparable sales data for your specific vehicle.

File your claim with the at-fault party's insurance. This is a separate claim from your repair claim. Send a demand letter with your appraisal, repair records, and vehicle history report showing the accident.

Don't accept the first offer. Insurance companies routinely lowball diminished value claims or deny them outright. Be prepared to negotiate. If they deny your claim, you can file in small claims court in most states.

Make sure your repair is done right. A quality repair from a certified shop protects your claim. If the repair itself is poor, the insurance company will argue the diminished value is the shop's fault, not theirs.

Need a repair that protects your claim?

We are I-CAR Gold certified and OEM-certified for 16 manufacturers. A proper repair from a certified shop strengthens your diminished value case.

Get a Free Estimate →

This calculator uses the 17c formula (from State Farm v. Mabry) which is widely used as a baseline for diminished value claims. Actual diminished value may be higher or lower depending on your vehicle's specific market, condition, accident severity, and state laws. Some states have limitations on first-party diminished value claims (claims against your own insurance). This tool is intended for third-party claims against the at-fault driver's insurance. Consult an attorney for specific legal advice.