Even after professional repairs, a vehicle that’s been in an accident is worth less than a similar one with a clean history. This difference is called diminished value.
In Washington, if the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be legally entitled to claim that lost value from the at-fault driver’s insurance. It’s a separate payment from your repair costs — and most people never hear about it.
A typical vehicle can lose thousands in resale value, even with high-quality repairs. Our diminished value assessments calculate how much value you’ve lost — and help you claim it.
Bonus Tip: Insurance won’t offer diminished value compensation unless you ask for it — with a solid DV report.
Not every vehicle or accident qualifies for diminished value, but many Washington drivers are eligible and don’t even know it.
If the accident wasn’t your fault, and your car was repaired afterward, you could be owed thousands in lost resale value. Washington law allows you to file a separate diminished value claim — but the insurance company won’t tell you unless you ask.
✅ You were not at fault in the accident
✅ Your vehicle was professionally repaired
✅ The damage appears on your vehicle’s history report
✅ Your car is generally less than 10 years old
✅ Repair costs were over $1,000
✅ You live in or the accident occurred in Washington State
If these apply to you, you likely qualify to file a diminished value claim in Washington. In many cases, drivers receive anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000 or more in compensation — depending on the type of vehicle, severity of damage, and market depreciation.
Even if your car looks and drives like new, dealers and private buyers will offer less simply because of the accident record. That lost value is your legal right to claim — and we’re here to help.
Diminished value is separate from repair costs — and many people miss out simply because no one tells them it exists. If you’ve recently been in an accident, don’t leave money on the table. Our team provides free diminished value assessments to Washington drivers so you can make a strong, supported claim.
Our process is fast, simple, and made for Washington drivers. From free evaluation to full claim support — we make it easy to recover your car’s lost value.
Provide us with the essential details about your vehicle and the accident. This includes:
Vehicle make, model, year, and mileage
Date of loss
Damage estimates or repair documents
Insurance claim number (if available)
You can do this quickly through our online form or by uploading your documents directly.
Our certified appraisers will:
Review your vehicle and claim documentation
Assess the market impact of the damage on your car’s resale value
Prepare a detailed Diminished Value report using industry-standard methodologies
This process is fast and typically completed within 1–3 business days.
You’ll receive a comprehensive and professional appraisal report in PDF format, which you can use to:
Submit your Diminished Value claim to the at-fault insurance company
Support negotiations for a fair payout
Get what you’re rightfully owed
We’re here to help if the insurer pushes back — expert guidance is just a call or email away.
Our service gives you everything you need to file a strong, successful diminished value claim in Washington. We don’t just estimate — we equip you to get paid.
A detailed, insurance-ready report showing your vehicle’s loss in market value after the accident. Built using real data, valuation tools, and Washington claim standards.
We compare your car’s market value before and after the accident using NADA, KBB, and local market pricing. This analysis is key to proving your diminished value loss.
We check for structural damage, severity, and any frame or airbag deployments. These impact how much value your vehicle has lost — and strengthen your case.
You’ll receive instructions on how to submit your diminished value claim to the insurance company — with tips on responding to adjusters and getting faster results.
Our assessments follow Washington’s legal standards and best practices — giving you the confidence to negotiate from a position of strength.
We’re here to assist you before, during, and after you file your claim. Ask questions, get clarification, or request edits — no extra fees, no surprises.
Nico grew up surrounded by the appraisal business—his father owns Leverage Auto Appraisals in Oregon, and his brother runs Diminished Value of Oregon. For the Nix family, helping drivers fight for fair value isn’t just a business—it’s a family tradition.
From weekends spent in the garage to classic car shows and local meetups, Nico’s journey has always revolved around cars. Today, he brings that same enthusiasm and deep industry knowledge to every diminished value and total loss appraisal he delivers.
When you work with Nico, you’re not getting a generic report—you’re getting insight from someone who lives and breathes cars, and who fights to make sure your vehicle’s true worth is recognized.
We stand behind every appraisal with confidence. If your claim is denied — and it’s not due to missing information — you’ll receive a full refund. No questions asked.
Proper Submission:
The certified appraisal and demand letter must be sent to the insurance company via certified mail.
Response Window:
The insurer must be given at least 30 calendar days to respond to your claim.
Written Denial:
A written response from the insurance company must confirm that no diminished value compensation will be paid.
Claim Viability:
The vehicle must not have a salvage, rebuilt, or branded title — and no prior accidents or pre-existing damage that could reasonably invalidate the claim.
Documentation:
All supporting documents, including proof of delivery and insurer correspondence, must be submitted to Total Loss Northwest before a refund can be processed.
We’re local, fast, and focused entirely on diminished value claims in Washington. Our reports are accurate, insurance-ready, and backed by real experts — not guesswork.
See what actual drivers in Washington recovered using our service. From sedans to luxury SUVs — we help you get back the value insurance companies often leave out.
Rear-ended at a stoplight with visible bumper and trunk damage. The repairs were solid, but the resale value dropped. We helped the driver recover nearly 10% of the car’s value through a diminished value claim.
Minor front-end accident with cosmetic repairs. Even without major structural damage, the value decreased. Our appraisal helped secure a payout from the insurer that the driver didn’t know was even possible.
Real results from Washington drivers. Newer or high-end cars often lose more value than you think.
Get clear answers to the most common questions Washington drivers ask about diminished value claims, eligibility, and our free estimate process.
If your vehicle was damaged in an accident that wasn’t your fault, has been professionally repaired, and still holds reasonable market value — then yes, you likely qualify. Washington law supports diminished value claims for qualifying cases.
Yes, Washington is one of the states that recognizes diminished value claims. Insurance companies are legally required to compensate for lost value if the conditions are right.
Absolutely. In fact, most diminished value claims are filed after repairs are finished. You’ll need a detailed appraisal (we provide that) to prove the loss in value.
If you are not at fault, filing a diminished value claim against the at-fault party’s insurance should not affect your premiums. These are third-party claims, and they don’t go on your record like a personal claim might.
We stand behind our appraisals. If your claim is denied and we cannot assist you in getting compensation, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee — no risk to you.
