Rick Lee

This is a little OT, as it's my Bimmer. I got rear ended to the tune of $7k by a SF policy holder. SF has been pretty good about paying everything. But I am worried about the phat hit to my Carfax history now, should/when I go to sell my car. Has anyone here ever gotten SF to pay them diminished value, if so, what percentage and how was the process? My insurer, USAA, says it's all on me to deal with SF here. Please advise. Thanks.

RallyJon

I'm sure they will laugh at you and claim some nonsense about there is no such thing until you retain a lawyer who specializes in diminished value claims.

Rick Lee

I fully expect them to say no as soon as I ask. But I'm wondering what it takes to eventually get them to pay. Diminished value is certainly legal in VA. And there are firms here that specialize in such appraisals for determining diminished value. I'd say SF got off kind of easy in my case. I was hit hard enough that I was pushed into the car in front of me. The loose change in my backpack on the front seat almot broke my windshield. And yes, my already-injured left wrist was a little sore. I didn't go to the doctor or try to claim soft-tissue damage. And I didn't even ask for a rental car until two weeks after the accident, when sharing my fiancee's MINI became a hassle. I could have milked this for a lot of bs reasons. But I think diminished value is legit.

Slow Guy

Rick, you have PM.

Rick Lee

Thanks Bill. That place charges about 3x the amount a local place does and I'm not even sure I need it yet. I just got a more helpful USAA rep. on the phone and she called SF with me on the line. SF said they'd be happy to send over a dimin. value claim form as soon as they have all the invoices in to look over and I should have it by mid-next week. So this is sounding better now.

Black993

WHen I was dealing with this I read something on the SF site about how deminished value hurts the insurance industry and, in short, they would not pay it.

Good luck with it

mglobe

I was successful filing a DV claim with State Farm. Check your PM for details.

craig001

I think that in addition to what insurance company you are dealing with, what state you are in also matters. IIRC, ten states currently have a diminished value statute. Search over on MSN Money.

swimprove

The person that hit us had State Farm and at first we were told we were not entitled to diminished value. So we hired a public adjuster from AutoDamageClaim.com and in less than a week we were offered $5,300 for diminished value from State Farm. Definitely get a professional.

I found them through this youtube video: