{
  "slug": "car-accident-diminished-value-calculator",
  "title": "Diminished Value Claim Calculator",
  "heading": "Diminished Value Claim Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/car-accident-diminished-value-calculator",
  "summary": "17c formula estimate for the resale value your repaired car lost.",
  "description": "A properly repaired car is still worth less than one that was never wrecked, because the accident shows on its history report. In most states you can claim that lost resale value from the at-fault driver's insurer. Insurers overwhelmingly evaluate these claims with the 17c formula: take the vehicle's pre-accident market value, cap the base loss at 10% of it, apply a damage-severity modifier, then apply a mileage modifier that shrinks the claim on high-mileage vehicles. This calculator runs that formula so you can enter a negotiation knowing the number the adjuster's own worksheet will produce. Be aware of two limits: the 17c cap is widely criticized as under-compensating owners of newer or luxury vehicles, and an independent appraisal often supports a substantially higher figure — use this as the floor of your claim, not the ceiling. First-party diminished value claims against your own insurer are barred in most states; this generally applies to third-party claims.",
  "formula": "17c Value = (Pre-Accident Value × 10%) × Damage Modifier × Mileage Modifier.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=car-accident-diminished-value-calculator",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "value",
      "label": "Pre-accident market value",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 28000,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 500,
      "max": 300000
    },
    {
      "id": "damage",
      "label": "Damage severity",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "0.75",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "1.00",
          "label": "Severe structural damage — 1.00"
        },
        {
          "value": "0.75",
          "label": "Major damage to structure and panels — 0.75"
        },
        {
          "value": "0.50",
          "label": "Moderate damage to panels — 0.50"
        },
        {
          "value": "0.25",
          "label": "Minor damage to panels — 0.25"
        },
        {
          "value": "0.00",
          "label": "No structural damage — 0.00"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "mileage",
      "label": "Odometer at time of accident",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 45000,
      "unit": "miles",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 300000
    },
    {
      "id": "repairCost",
      "label": "Repair cost (for context)",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 7500,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 200000
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "claim",
      "label": "Estimated 17c diminished value",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "base",
      "label": "10% base loss cap",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "mileageMod",
      "label": "Mileage modifier applied",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": "x",
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "pctOfValue",
      "label": "Claim as share of car value",
      "format": "percent",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "repairRatio",
      "label": "Repair cost vs vehicle value",
      "format": "percent",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Pre-accident market value: 28000 $",
      "Damage severity: Major damage to structure and panels — 0.75",
      "Odometer at time of accident: 45000 miles",
      "Repair cost (for context): 7500 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Estimated 17c diminished value: $1,260",
      "10% base loss cap: $2,800",
      "Mileage modifier applied: 0.6",
      "Claim as share of car value: 4.50%",
      "Repair cost vs vehicle value: 26.8%"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter pre-accident market value ($).",
      "Enter damage severity.",
      "Enter odometer at time of accident (miles).",
      "Enter repair cost (for context) ($).",
      "Read your estimated 17c diminished value on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "value": 17000,
        "damage": "0.75",
        "mileage": 27000,
        "repairCost": 4500
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "value": 28000,
        "damage": "0.75",
        "mileage": 45000,
        "repairCost": 7500
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "value": 45000,
        "damage": "0.75",
        "mileage": 72000,
        "repairCost": 12000
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Can I claim diminished value in any state?",
      "a": "Third-party claims against the at-fault driver's insurer are allowed in most states, and Georgia notably allows first-party claims too. A handful of states restrict them. Check your state's rule before filing."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why does high mileage zero out the claim?",
      "a": "The 17c mileage modifier drops to zero above 100,000 miles on the theory that the market already discounts the vehicle heavily. Many appraisers dispute this; an independent appraisal can still support a claim."
    },
    {
      "q": "Should I accept the 17c number?",
      "a": "Treat it as the insurer's opening position. A licensed appraiser comparing actual market listings for accident-history and clean vehicles frequently produces a higher, defensible figure."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does a total loss qualify?",
      "a": "No. Diminished value applies to repaired vehicles. A totaled vehicle is settled at actual cash value instead."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/personal-injury-settlement-estimator"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Diminished Value Claim Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/car-accident-diminished-value-calculator)"
}