Diminished Value
Also known as: DV, diminution of value
Diminished Value is the loss of resale value a vehicle suffers after being damaged and repaired, even when the repair restores it to pre-accident condition. Diminished-value claims apply to repairable vehicles — not total losses — but are commonly confused with total-loss valuations.
More detail
- Inherent diminished value is the most common type: a buyer will pay less for a vehicle with an accident on its history report regardless of repair quality.
- Some states (notably Georgia) have favorable diminished-value case law; others severely limit recovery.
- If your vehicle was repaired but you suspect it was 'borderline' total loss, a separate diminished-value claim may apply.
Related terms
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