Diminished value calculator (17c formula)
Estimate your vehicle's diminished value after a repaired accident using the most widely-cited DV methodology. Free, instant, no signup.
What was your vehicle worth before the accident? Use a dealer asking-price estimate or KBB/NADA fair market value.
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How serious was the damage? Frame damage and major structural repairs produce higher DV; cosmetic-only damage produces lower DV.
Higher-mileage vehicles experience less DV because their resale market is already discounted.
Methodology. This calculator uses the "17c" formula from Georgia's State Farm v. Mabry settlement, the most widely-cited DV methodology. It produces a conservative baseline. Most successful DV claims also incorporate dealer trade-in differentials and post-repair appraisal evidence to support a higher number.
Frequently asked questions
What is diminished value?▼
Diminished value (DV) is the loss of resale value a vehicle suffers after being damaged and repaired, even when the repair is high-quality. The accident appears on the vehicle's history (Carfax, AutoCheck) and a future buyer will pay less for it. The dollar amount of that loss is the diminished value.
What is the 17c formula?▼
17c (sometimes called the 'Rule of 17') is the methodology adopted in Georgia's State Farm v. Mabry settlement (2001). It caps DV at 10% of pre-loss vehicle value, then multiplies by a damage modifier (0.00-1.00) and a mileage modifier (0.00-1.00). It's the most widely-cited starting point for first-pass DV estimates and is highly defensible in negotiation.
Can I claim DV from my own insurance company?▼
Usually no. Most first-party policies explicitly exclude DV. Georgia is a notable exception — the Mabry decision makes first-party DV claims valid in many cases. Most DV claims are filed third-party, against the at-fault driver's insurance.
How accurate is the 17c estimate?▼
It's a conservative starting figure. Real-world DV settlements often come in higher when the claimant supports the case with dealer trade-in differentials and post-repair appraisal evidence. The 17c result is your floor, not your ceiling.
When is a DV claim NOT worth pursuing?▼
If your vehicle was already high-mileage (100k+) or older than ~10 years, DV is typically minimal because the resale market is already heavily discounted. If the damage was strictly cosmetic and didn't go on the vehicle's history, there is also no DV.
Have a total-loss claim instead of a DV claim?
If your vehicle was declared a total loss, our settlement calculator and free consultation are the right next step.
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