Expert: Richard Hixenbaugh - 1/1/2010

Question
our 2007 ford 500 was involved in a rear -end accident a couple of days ago. im a car guy and take incredible care of our cars mechanical and physical. the car has 28900 miles on it. it has $4200.00 damage. trunk floor is smashed,quarter panels are dented and unibody damage. the person that hit us has progressive insurance. progressive said this would not qualify for diminished value claim because ford dealer is fixing car and will be like new again. im very picky and my dealer knows this and yes car will be fixed right. we trade every 4 years and next year when someone pulls a car fax on the car it will show damage. will we get less trade in on car and should we be compensated now for that.  thanks, craig

Answer
Hi Graig,

The Progressive adjuster is simply trying to get you to go away. No body shop has the ability to remanufacture the car. No matter how well the vehicle is repaired, the history and the fact of the damage will always be there. You are entitled to be compensated for the loss of value to your car now. You will have to hire a professional diminished value appraiser who will inspect your car after the repairs are completed, review all of the repair documentation and write an appraisal report that will determine an appropriate amount of diminished value. Then you submit that appraisal along with a formal demand for payment letter to the insurance company. That will start the process of achieving a negotiated settlement.

To learn more about diminished value and find a qualified appraiser, visit www.collisionclaims.com .

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh