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A Little About Diminished Value...
Diminished value is the loss in market value your vehicle suffers after an accident—even after it's been fully repaired. The simple truth is: once a car has an accident history, it's worth less, no matter how good the repairs are. Buyers see that accident on a Carfax report and instantly devalue the car. That loss? It’s real money out of your pocket—and it’s something you're entitled to recover.​
Insurance companies rarely offer fair diminished value compensation up front. Their job is to pay out as little as possible. Our job is to fight for the full amount you’re owed.
We handle everything—from evaluating the true loss in value, to building a defensible claim, to negotiating with the insurance company. All of our clients pay nothing out of pocket we only take a commission once we recover your losses.
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Case Study
2023 Nissan Rogue
Diminished Value
After a 2023 Nissan Rogue was involved in a collision and repaired, the insurance company offered just $2,500 for the vehicle’s loss in market value. Our client knew that wasn’t enough and contacted us for help.
We conducted a comprehensive diminished value appraisal, supported it with local market data and expert negotiation, and successfully secured a $6,000 settlement—more than double the original offer.
Don’t leave money on the table. Let us fight for what your vehicle is truly worth.
What You Need To Qualify
Accident
In order to recover diminished value for your vehicle it must be a third party claim meaning you were not the at fault driver and the claim went through the at fault drivers insurance.
Ownership
You must own the vehicle in order to recover diminished value. If it is financed that is ok as well as long as the vehicle is not leased. If the vehicle was leased but purchased out at the end of the term you can still recover diminished value.
Timeline
You typically have 6 years from the accident date to file a diminished value claim. Some states vary.
Vehicle
To qualify, your car must have no prior accident history. The damage must be from a not-at-fault incident.
Our Process
Collect Accident & Repair Info
We start by gathering the details of your accident and repairs—photos, estimates, final invoices, and any insurance documents. Don’t worry if you’re missing something—we’ll walk you through exactly what we need and help you get it.
Professional DV Report
Next, we prepare a detailed diminished value report tailored to your vehicle, damage, and market. Our reports are data-driven, backed by real-world comparables, and designed to stand up to insurance scrutiny. This is your leverage.
Negotiate & Settle the Claim
We handle the entire negotiation process directly with the insurance company. You won’t need to argue, chase adjusters, or worry about lowball offers. We advocate on your behalf to get the maximum settlement—fast.
Our Credentials
At Complete Vehicle Appraisal Experts, we’re not just another appraisal service—we're licensed public adjusters who specialize in diminished value claims. That means we’re legally authorized and professionally trained to negotiate directly with insurance companies on your behalf—and we do it every day.
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At Complete Vehicle Appraisal Experts, Christopher and Anthony Lake bring over 50 years of experience in auto appraisals and collision repair. Since 1990, they’ve owned Metro Appraisal Company and Exclusive Auto Collision Center, completing over 150,000 appraisals and settling thousands of diminished value claims nationwide. With a repair history ofmore than 40,000 vehicles and strong ties to major insurance companies, we know how to assess real market impact and secure fair compensation. Certified by top manufacturers like Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz—and named New Jersey’s Auto Collision Shop of the Year in 2018—we uphold the highest standards. We don’t just estimate value—we fight for it.