A diminished value appraisal documents the market value your vehicle has permanently lost as a result of an accident — even after all repairs have been completed. No matter how skilled the body shop, a repaired vehicle commands less on the open market than a comparable vehicle with no accident history. That difference is your compensable diminished value.
Tampa Auto Appraisers delivers ASCAA-certified, USPAP-compliant diminished value reports that break down every category of value loss in plain language, giving you the documented proof needed to collect what you are owed from the at-fault party's insurance carrier.
Florida is a no-fault insurance state under the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law (Florida Statutes §§ 627.730–627.7405), which requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP handles medical expenses regardless of fault — but property damage and diminished value are not governed by no-fault rules.
Florida courts recognize the right to recover diminished value through a third-party claim against the at-fault driver's liability insurer. The Florida Supreme Court and District Courts of Appeal have consistently upheld the right to recover the difference between pre- and post-accident fair market value. Under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), you generally have four years from the date of the accident to file a property damage claim.
Insurance companies often attempt to deny or minimize legitimate DV claims. A certified, USPAP-compliant appraisal from Tampa Auto Appraisers provides the documentation courts and insurers must take seriously.
We review your repair documents and accident details at no charge to confirm you have a compensable DV claim.
Our certified appraiser conducts a thorough physical inspection of your vehicle, documenting all repair quality indicators and residual damage.
We research comparable vehicle sales and auction data throughout Tampa Bay and Florida to establish pre-accident fair market value.
You receive a comprehensive, USPAP-compliant written appraisal report you can submit directly to the insurance company or use in legal proceedings.
Inherent Diminished Value is the most common type — the permanent stigma attached to a vehicle's accident history that reduces its resale value regardless of repair quality. This is what most claimants seek to recover.
Repair-Related Diminished Value occurs when repairs are incomplete or of substandard quality, leaving the vehicle in worse condition than it could have been.
Immediate Diminished Value is the difference in value immediately after an accident before any repairs are made.
Tampa Auto Appraisers evaluates all applicable forms of diminished value so your certified report captures the full extent of your loss. Our detailed methodology withstands scrutiny from insurance adjusters, defense attorneys, and judges alike.
Tampa Auto Appraisers is the only ASCAA Certified Auto Appraiser in Tampa Bay. ASCAA (American Society of Certified Auto Appraisers) certification — through certifiedautoappraisers.com — requires completion of a five-course USPAP-compliant curriculum covering ethics, vehicle inspection, damage analysis, valuation methodology, and appraisal report writing.
With 24+ years of experience in automobile claims and appraisals, a BBB A+ rating, and a proven track record helping thousands of Tampa Bay vehicle owners recover fair compensation, we have the expertise and credentials to maximize your claim. We serve Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Lakeland, Wesley Chapel, and all of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.
Armed Forces members discount available.
Free evaluation — no obligation. Find out if you have a compensable claim before you commit.
