Someone hit your car. It’s been repaired — but it’s still worth less than it was before the accident, because any buyer who checks its history will see what happened. That permanent drop in value is called diminished value, and in most states, the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for compensating you for it.
Most people never file a claim because they didn’t know they could. Here are the five things that determine whether you qualify.
Does Your State Allow It?
Most states allow diminished value claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance. Claims against your own insurer are more restricted and depend on your policy. Nebraska is the only state that bans them entirely.
Not on this list? DVHive operates in all 50 states and can confirm your eligibility for free.
Was It the Other Driver’s Fault?
Diminished value claims are almost always filed by the not-at-fault party. If the other driver’s insurance is paying for your repairs, that’s your clearest signal — you almost certainly have a claim.
If you shared some of the blame, you may still be able to file. Some states let you recover a reduced amount based on your percentage of fault. It’s worth checking before you assume you don’t qualify.
Has Your Car Been Fully Repaired?
You can only file after repairs are complete. The claim measures the difference between what your car was worth before the accident and what it’s worth now — and that gap can only be calculated once the work is done.
If your car is still in the shop, start saving your paperwork: photos, repair estimates, and a record of the parts used. You’ll be ready to file as soon as repairs wrap up.
Does Your Car’s Profile Support a Claim?
Not every vehicle loses the same amount of value. The strongest claims tend to involve newer cars (under 7–8 years old), lower mileage, luxury or performance models, and more serious damage. That said, even if your situation seems borderline, it’s worth running the numbers — the free DVHive calculator takes about two minutes.
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Are You Within the Filing Deadline?
Every state sets a deadline — called the statute of limitations — for filing a diminished value claim. The clock starts on the date of the accident, not the date of the repair. Miss the deadline and you lose the right to file permanently.
Most states give you 2–4 years. Virginia allows 5. Florida and Texas only allow 2 — if you’re in either of those states, don’t wait.
Passed All Five? Here’s What to Do Next
If you checked yes on every checkpoint, you have a strong basis for a diminished value claim. Here’s how DVHive handles it from here: you submit your vehicle and accident details online, a certified appraiser prepares your official report (usually within one business day), and you send that report to the at-fault driver’s insurer as documentation for your claim.
You don’t need a lawyer. The report does the work. DVHive’s appraisers have been doing this for over 25 years and know exactly how to document a claim so it holds up.
Get your free estimate from DVHive → FREE ESTIMATE
Still not sure if you qualify? Reach out directly — there’s no cost to ask, and a DVHive appraiser will give you a straight answer based on your specific situation. The biggest mistake people make is assuming they don’t qualify without ever checking.
State law information is for general guidance only. Deadlines and claim rules vary by state and should be verified with DVHive’s appraisers or a licensed attorney before filing.