Guides you can use without hiring anyone
These pages stay on process and evidence. They do not publish statutes, deadlines, or advice on whether to accept an offer.
Correspondence
The appraisal clause in an auto policy
What an insurance policy appraisal clause is, when it might apply, and why it is a contract process — not a third-party diminished value demand.
Updated September 14, 2026
Documentation
How to document a diminished value claim
The complete evidence file for a diminished value claim: what to collect, why each document matters, what order to do it in, and the gaps that weaken a claim most.
Updated February 18, 2026
Correspondence
What to send an adjuster
How to write and send a diminished value demand: who to address it to, what belongs in the letter, what belongs in the attachments, and the tone that gets a substantive reply.
Updated February 18, 2026
Valuation
Reading an insurer's 17c worksheet
A line-by-line walkthrough of the 17c formula: the base value, the damage modifier, the mileage modifier, and which inputs are actually worth questioning.
Updated February 18, 2026
Valuation
Comparable listings: how to pick them
What makes a comparable vehicle listing usable as evidence in a diminished value claim: how close the match needs to be, how many to gather, and what to capture before the listing disappears.
Updated February 18, 2026
Negotiation
What to do after a low offer
How to read a low diminished value offer, respond to each stated reason with evidence, ask for a supervisory review, and decide whether to escalate to the state regulator.
Updated February 18, 2026
See what your vehicle's accident history may have cost you.
Answer a few questions about your vehicle and repair. You will see your estimate and the factors behind it before you decide whether to pay for anything.
Free · About 2 minutes · No account required
This is an estimate, not an appraisal or a promise of payment. It's based on the information you entered and general market data. Insurers may dispute or deny claims. Read the full disclaimer.