While we believe most not-at-fault accident victims should pursue diminished value, there are situations where filing may not be the best use of your time. If your vehicle is over 10 years old with high mileage and minimal pre-accident value, the DV recovery may be too small to justify the claims process. Similarly, if you were at fault or share significant fault for the accident, Arizona's comparative negligence rules reduce your recovery proportionally, which may make a small claim not worth pursuing.
Other situations where a DV claim may be less viable: the damage was extremely minor and no insurance claim was filed (meaning no Carfax entry), the vehicle was already significantly diminished by previous accidents, or the at-fault driver has no insurance and no assets to pursue. Additionally, if your own insurance (first-party) is the only available coverage, Arizona law currently limits first-party DV claims, making recovery more difficult than against the at-fault driver's liability policy.
That said, many drivers talk themselves out of valid claims prematurely. A vehicle doesn't need to be brand new to have a worthwhile DV claim — a well-maintained 6-year-old vehicle with moderate mileage can still produce a $1,500 to $3,000 recovery. At Orlando Auto Body, our free $450 Diminished Value Appraisal Packet removes the financial barrier to finding out. We give you an honest assessment of your claim's value before you decide whether to file. There's no risk in asking — call today.