B2 AppraisalsB2 Appraisals +1 (713) 489-3376

Diminished Value Appraisal · Houston, TX

Your car was fixed. It is still worth less.

After an accident your car carries a damage record forever, even after a perfect repair. In Texas, if the crash was not your fault, the other driver's insurance owes you that lost value. We prove how much.

Call About Diminished ValueHow it works ↓
Porsche 911 Turbo S appraised for diminished value

In plain words

What is diminished value?

Diminished value is the money your car lost simply because it now has an accident in its history. Two identical cars, same year and miles, but one has a reported collision: buyers and dealers pay less for it. Sometimes thousands less. A diminished value appraisal is an independent report that measures that loss with real market data, so you can claim it from the at-fault driver's insurance company.

This is for you if

  • Your car was damaged in a crash that was not your fault
  • It has been repaired, or the repair estimate is done
  • The car is newer, higher value, or had a clean history before
  • The at-fault insurer said no, or offered a tiny amount

What you get

  • A report showing the value before the accident and after the repair
  • The exact dollar amount of your diminished value claim
  • A demand-ready package to send to the insurance company
  • Guidance on what to do if they refuse or lowball

How It Works

Four simple steps

Most diminished value appraisals are done remotely from photos and paperwork.

1

Call us

Tell us about the accident and the repair. We tell you straight if your car has a claim worth making. The call is free.

2

Send the paperwork

Repair estimate or final invoice, photos of the damage, VIN, mileage and the police or claim number.

3

We measure the loss

We establish what your car was worth before the crash, then what a buyer would pay now with the damage history. Real Houston market data, not a formula.

4

You send the demand

You send the report with a demand letter to the at-fault insurer. We help you respond if they push back.

Your rights in Texas

What Texas law gives you

Texas is a good state for diminished value claims, but there are rules.

You can claim it from the other driver

Texas treats diminished value as property damage. If the other driver was at fault, you claim it from their liability insurance, on top of the repair.

Two years to act

The Texas statute of limitations for property damage is two years from the date of the accident (Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003). Do not wait.

How the loss is measured

Texas courts look at the difference between the market value right before the accident and right after the repair. That is exactly what our report documents.

Your own insurer usually will not pay it

A claim against your own policy (first party) rarely covers diminished value in Texas. That is why the claim goes to the at-fault driver's insurer.

This is general information, not legal advice. For questions about your specific claim or a lawsuit, talk to an attorney.

Why they say no

How insurers shrink a diminished value claim

Adjusters are trained to deny or minimize these claims. Here is what we see most.

  • "Your car was repaired, so there is no loss"Not true. The damage record follows the car. Ask any dealer what they pay for a car with an accident on the history report.
  • The 17c formulaMany insurers use a formula that caps diminished value at 10% of the car's value, then cuts it again for mileage and damage. It has no basis in the real market.
  • Ignoring the repair itselfAftermarket parts, paint work and structural repairs lower value more than a formula admits.
  • Hoping you give upA low first offer and slow replies. Most people accept or quit. A documented appraisal changes that conversation.
Find Out What You Are Owed
Porsche 911 Turbo S after repair, appraised for diminished value
Diminished Value · 911 Turbo S
+$13,500more than the insurance offered
Insurance offered$4,800
With our appraisal$18,300

Cost

A flat fee. No percentage of your claim.

We quote the fee up front on the free call. If your car does not have a claim worth making, we tell you and you pay nothing.

  • One flat fee, quoted before we startNo surprises and no cut of your payout.
  • The fee is quoted before we startYou know the cost before you say yes.
  • A report built to be sentWritten to the standard adjusters and courts expect.

FAQ

Diminished value questions, answered

What is a diminished value claim?
It is a claim for the money your car lost in market value because it now has an accident history, even after a full repair. In Texas you make this claim against the at-fault driver's insurance company.
Who can claim diminished value in Texas?
Anyone whose car was damaged by another driver who was at fault. If you were at fault, or the other driver is unknown or uninsured, a claim under your own policy is usually not available, but call us and we will look at your situation.
How long do I have to file?
Two years from the date of the accident under the Texas statute of limitations for property damage. Start early. Insurers move slowly.
How much is my diminished value claim worth?
It depends on the car's value, age, mileage, the severity of the damage and whether structural or frame repairs were needed. Newer and higher value cars lose the most. On newer cars it is often thousands of dollars. Only a real appraisal gives you a number you can defend.
The insurance company offered me a small amount using a formula. Is that fair?
Usually not. The common "17c" formula caps the loss at 10% and then reduces it further. It was created for one court case in Georgia and does not reflect the Houston market. An independent appraisal uses real data.
Does the repair have to be finished first?
It helps, because the final invoice shows exactly what was done. But we can start with the repair estimate and finalize the report when the invoice is ready.
Can you do this without seeing the car?
In most cases yes. Photos, the repair invoice, VIN and mileage are enough. If an inspection would strengthen the claim, we come to you in the Houston area.
What if the insurance company still refuses?
You can escalate to a supervisor, file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance, or take the at-fault driver to small claims court with the report as evidence. Many claims settle once a documented report is on the table.
Does a diminished value claim raise my insurance rates?
The claim is against the other driver's policy, not yours, so it is not a claim on your record.
How much does a diminished value appraisal cost in Houston?
It is a flat fee, quoted up front on the free call, with no percentage of your claim. Call +1 (713) 489-3376 for an exact quote.

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Free Call · No Pressure

Find out what your car really lost.

One free call. We tell you if you have a claim worth making.

+1 (713) 489-3376
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