When your vehicle is damaged in an accident — even after professional repairs — it carries an accident history that permanently reduces its resale value on the open market. That reduction is called diminished value, and in Florida you have a legal right to recover it from the at-fault party's insurance company.
Orlando Auto Appraisers is the only ASCAA Certified Auto Appraiser in Central Florida. Our certified appraisers produce USPAP-compliant diminished value reports that are accepted by insurance companies, attorneys, and courts throughout the state of Florida.
Florida is a no-fault state for personal injury claims, which means your own PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance pays your medical bills regardless of fault. However, diminished value is a property damage claim — not a bodily injury claim — and Florida's no-fault law does not apply to it.
If another driver was at fault for the accident, you have the right to file a third-party diminished value claim directly with their liability insurance carrier. Florida courts have consistently upheld this right, and the at-fault driver's insurer is legally required to fairly compensate you for the documented loss in your vehicle's market value.
With Orlando being one of Florida's largest tourist destinations, rental car accidents and multi-vehicle collisions are unfortunately common in the greater Orlando area. Our appraisers have extensive experience navigating claims that involve rental car companies, out-of-state drivers, and complex multi-party insurance situations.
Our industry-recognized appraisal methodology goes far beyond a simple formula. We conduct a thorough physical inspection of your vehicle combined with a comprehensive market analysis to determine the exact dollar amount your car has lost in resale value since the accident.
Your certified diminished value appraisal report includes:
This report gives you the documented proof you need to submit a compelling diminished value claim to the at-fault insurer — or to support your attorney in litigation if the insurance company refuses to pay a fair amount.
A diminished value appraisal is valuable any time your vehicle has been damaged in an accident that was not your fault. Common situations include:
Even if your vehicle was repaired to factory specifications, its accident history follows it on vehicle history reports like Carfax — and buyers pay less for accident-history vehicles every time. Our appraisal quantifies exactly how much less.
Call today for a free consultation. We serve all of Orlando, Orange County, Seminole County, Osceola County, and greater Central Florida.