When your vehicle is involved in an accident — even one that is properly and completely repaired — it permanently loses market value. No matter how skilled the body shop or how thorough the repairs, a vehicle with an accident history on its Carfax report will always sell for less than a comparable vehicle with a clean history. That loss in value is called diminished value, and in Florida, you have the right to recover it.
Miami Auto Appraisers provides ASCAA certified, USPAP-compliant diminished value appraisal reports that document exactly how much your vehicle has lost in market value. Our comprehensive reports are accepted by insurance companies, courts, and arbitration panels across South Florida and throughout the state.
The only ASCAA Certified Appraiser in South Florida
Third-party diminished value claims allowed in Florida
Thousands of DV claims successfully documented
Florida is a no-fault insurance state for personal injury, which means your own PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage pays your medical bills regardless of fault. However, diminished value claims are a separate matter entirely. Under Florida law, you have the right to pursue a third-party property damage claim against the at-fault driver's liability insurance for the diminished value of your vehicle.
Florida courts have consistently upheld the right of vehicle owners to recover diminished value from at-fault parties. The key legal principle, rooted in Florida tort law, is that an injured party is entitled to full compensation for all damages — including the permanent reduction in market value that occurs when a vehicle has an accident history.
Miami's market is especially advantageous for DV claims. South Florida has one of the highest concentrations of luxury, exotic, and high-value vehicles in the country. A Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, or late-model Mercedes-Benz that has been in an accident can lose tens of thousands of dollars in value — even after perfect repairs. Our certified appraisers specialize in documenting these losses with precision.
The most common type. This is the reduction in market value that persists even after proper repairs, simply because the vehicle now has an accident history. It is the type most often pursued in insurance claims.
Value lost because repairs were improperly performed or used substandard parts. If a shop used aftermarket panels or mismatched paint, the vehicle is worth even less than if repairs had been done correctly.
The difference between a vehicle's pre-accident value and its post-accident value before any repairs are made. This is relevant when a vehicle is being sold or traded in its damaged state.
Our ASCAA certified appraisers follow a rigorous methodology that goes far beyond the insurance industry's widely criticized 17c formula. Our process includes:
Our reports are routinely used by South Florida personal injury and property damage attorneys to support their clients' claims. If you are working with an attorney, our report can be a critical piece of evidence in your case.
We offer a free initial evaluation to determine whether you have a viable DV claim. Call us or submit your documents online to get started.
