Welcome to Diminished Value of Oregon’s website. We developed this website to help educate our neighbors about their rights and help them recover their loss of value due to a car accident in the State of Oregon. In this site you’ll find examples of actual Diminished Value claims, Total Loss claims, tips to help you recover your loss and even the Insurance Companies Phone Numbers. Our Diminished Value and Total Loss Car Appraisals are designed to be easy to read not only for the professional, but also for the layman.
What is Diminished Value? According to Wikipedia, Diminished Value is the reduction in a vehicle’s market value occurring after a vehicle is wrecked and repaired, otherwise called accelerated depreciation. Simply put, a reasonable person will not pay the same amount for an identical car that has had previous damage. If an 2011 Honda Odyssey had a pre-loss value of $35,000 and had frame damage and 12,000 in damage repairs, it could easily have over 10,000 in Diminished Value. Most dealers will immediately reduce the trade allotment for a vehicle by 35-50% if they know it has had frame damage. Hence, the diminution in value.
Do I Qualify for Diminished Value?
- If you were in an accident and your vehicle was damaged.
- If you are the owner, or buying the car, (Leasing does not count. It would be the Leasing company that would be awarded the Diminished Value.)
- If your accident was less than six years ago.
- Is you vehicle worth more than $7500?
- Do you have more than $1000 in damage?
Our Auto Appraisals. Though we specialize in Total Loss, Market Value and Diminished Value Appraisals, we also provide automotive appraisals for Classic Cars, Muscle Cars, Late Model Specialty Vehicles, Import autos, Mid Line Luxury, High Line Luxury, Super Cars and other late model exotics. Our vehicle scope is 1960 and newer vehicles. We consider most automobiles manufactured prior to 1960 with the exception of Porsche, to be outside our normal automotive appraisal scope and motorcycles manufactured prior to 1975 to also be outside our normal scope.
Why Pick Diminished Value of Oregon? Our appraisals are developed to be as accurate as possible. Because we are known to not exaggerate claims and are bound by ethical standards and the methodology of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Our appraisers are familiar with and utilize methods which are acceptable to other appraisers familiar with the assignment. Initially an appraiser will gather specific, preliminary data, such as the nature of the property, the interests appraised, the basis of value, the effective date of the valuation and the assumptions or hypothetical conditions, based on this information, we then rely on peer reviewed methodology to formulate an acceptable plan of action to develop the report.
- Leif’s Collision Center. Leif is one of my top Role Models, and has been for many years before we actually met. He’s the type of person I aspire to be. He’s smart, empathetic, and not only successful in business, but successful in life. He’s given his time to advocate for my clients, without a thought of what’s in it for him. That’s why I look to him as a trusted advisor. I know I’ll learn more and go farther with associates that I can trust and though I’ve only known him personally a short time, he’s one of the few people I’d trust with my wallet over night.
- Canyon Road Body Shop. Part of Bob Lanphere’s Dealer network, I have known Sabre, the manager and most of the staff personally for nearly 10 years. They’ve always been forthcoming with information and have helped advocate for my clients many times. With 103 out of 117 reviews being 5 star, you know they’re good. Besides, I personally use them. ’nuff said.
- Heitzman Body & Paint, Inc. Though I don’t have a lot of experience with them, I have personal knowledge that they advocated for a client and saved the client thousands. No one asked them to, they just did it.
