How To File Auto Insurance Claims
Diminished Value Claims, Total Loss Disputes & the Appraisal Clause
Learn how to file a diminished value claim, dispute a total loss valuation, invoke the appraisal clause, and understand your options after a car accident.
Understand the Difference
After a car accident, the type of insurance claim you file depends on what happened to your vehicle.
If your vehicle was repaired, you may have a diminished value claim to recover the loss in market value caused by its accident history.
If your vehicle was declared a total loss and you disagree with the insurance company’s valuation or settlement offer, you may have the right to dispute the total loss valuation or invoke the appraisal clause, depending on your auto insurance policy.
Understanding the difference is the first step toward recovering the full value of your claim.
Diminished Value Claims
A diminished value claim allows you to recover the loss in your vehicle’s market value after it has been professionally repaired following a car accident. Even when repairs are completed correctly, a vehicle with an accident history is often worth less than a comparable vehicle with a clean history. Many insurance companies do not automatically compensate vehicle owners for this loss in value.
If your vehicle was repaired after an accident, you may be entitled to file a diminished value insurance claim. Our step-by-step guide explains how to file a diminished value claim, what documents you’ll need, how to support your claim with a professional diminished value appraisal, and what to do if the insurance company denies or undervalues your claim.
Total Loss Disputes & Appraisal Clause
When your insurance company declares your vehicle a total loss, it determines the vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) to calculate your total loss settlement. If you believe the insurance company’s valuation is too low, you have the right to challenge the offer by disputing the total loss valuation. Depending on your auto insurance policy, you may also be able to invoke the appraisal clause to resolve disagreements over your vehicle’s value.
If you’ve received a total loss settlement offer that doesn’t reflect your vehicle’s true market value, understanding your options is critical. Our step-by-step guide explains how to dispute a total loss valuation, review the insurance company’s valuation report, gather supporting market evidence, and determine whether the appraisal clause is the right option for your claim.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Not every insurance claim follows the same process. If you’re unsure whether you have a diminished value claim, need to dispute a total loss valuation, or qualify for the appraisal clause, Premier Diminished Value Specialists can review your claim, explain your options, and recommend the appropriate next step.
Insurance Claim Guides & Resources
Diminished Value Laws by State
Learn about diminished value laws, insurance regulations, statutes of limitations, and claim requirements in all 50 states.
Explore State Diminished Value Laws
Insurance Carrier Claims Resources
Find insurance company contact information, claim submission instructions, carrier-specific resources, and helpful claims information for major insurance companies.
Browse Insurance Company Resources
Premier Market Comparison Method
Learn how the Premier Market Comparison Method (PMCM™) determines diminished value and total loss market value using real market data and comparable vehicle analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about diminished value claims, total loss disputes, appraisal clauses, insurance claims, and Premier Diminished Value Specialists.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re pursuing a diminished value claim, disputing a total loss valuation, or need a specialty vehicle appraisal, Premier Diminished Value Specialists is here to help.