hearty-owl-5125/10/2026

Brand new car hit in a parking lot — should I push for diminished value?

Hey everyone, first time posting here and honestly first time dealing with anything like this so bear with me.

About three weeks ago I was sitting in my car in a grocery store parking lot, totally parked and minding my own business, when a delivery van clipped my rear quarter panel while maneuvering between rows. Like a pretty solid hit — not a tap. The driver pulled over and we exchanged info, super civil about it, but the damage is pretty visible.

Here's the thing: I bought this car back in the spring. It's a luxury SUV I saved up for years to get. We're talking under 6,000 miles on it. Practically new.

The other driver's insurance accepted liability pretty quickly, which I was relieved about. My car is currently at a body shop waiting on the adjuster to come out and approve the repair estimate. From what I can tell it's going to need a new panel and some paint blending work.

Someone at the shop offhandedly mentioned diminished value and I had no idea what that even meant until I looked it up last night. Basically, even after repairs, my car is worth less because it now has accident history on Carfax? That seems... really unfair honestly.

So my questions are:

Is diminished value worth pursuing on a relatively new car?
Do I need to get an independent appraisal, or does the insurance company just tell me a number?
Is there a good time in the process to bring it up, or should I wait until repairs are done?

Any advice from people who've been through this would be seriously appreciated. I feel like I'm learning a whole new language here. 😅

9 replies

Most helpful first

swift-lynx-2255/10/2026
Oh man, I went through almost this exact thing about a year ago — newer car, not my fault, accepted liability quickly. Diminished value is 100% real and worth pursuing, especially on a low-mileage vehicle. I waited until repairs were completely finished before I brought it up, and I'm glad I did because I had documentation of everything by then. Don't let them brush it off.
calm-marmot-2105/10/2026
The insurance company is NOT going to volunteer a fair DV number. They'll lowball you or try to use some formula called '17c' that almost always spits out a laughably small figure. Get your own independent appraisal from someone who specializes in diminished value — it'll cost you maybe a couple hundred bucks but it gives you something real to negotiate with. Don't just accept whatever number they hand you.
gentle-tern-2585/10/2026
Former adjuster here. A few things worth knowing from the inside: yes, diminished value claims are legitimate and yes, companies do often lowball them on first offer. The factors that work in your favor are (1) low mileage, (2) luxury/near-luxury segment, and (3) the other party being clearly at fault. All three apply to you. A well-documented independent appraisal really does shift the conversation. Also — wait until repairs are 100% complete and you have the final invoice in hand before you formally make the DV claim. That's just cleaner.
- cool-beaver-1395/10/2026
  Quick question — do you know yet what the actual repair estimate looks like? Because the DV amount is usually calculated as a percentage of the pre-accident value AND tied to how significant the damage was. Minor cosmetic repairs on a luxury car can still generate meaningful DV, but the severity does matter. Just curious where things stand on the estimate side.
sharp-crow-9125/10/2026
Just to clarify the process a little: diminished value is typically a separate claim from your property damage claim. So you'd pursue it after the repair side is wrapped up. Some states make this easier than others — a handful actually limit or complicate DV claims depending on who's insurer you're filing with. Might be worth a quick free consult with a PI attorney just to understand your state's rules before you start negotiating. Not saying you need a lawyer for this, just that 30 minutes of info could save you from leaving money on the table.
silent-tern-2545/10/2026
Not legal advice, but generally speaking: on a near-new vehicle with documented low mileage, diminished value claims can be meaningful. The key is having credible third-party documentation of the loss in value — insurance companies respond much better to an independent appraisal than to the owner just saying 'my car is worth less now.' If they reject or lowball your claim, that's when it might be worth talking to a PI attorney, many of whom handle DV cases. Most offer free consultations.
genuine-marten-5835/10/2026
Are you doing okay physically? I know you didn't mention injuries but sometimes the adrenaline from even a parking lot incident masks stuff. If you felt any jolt or tension when it hit, just keep an eye on your neck and shoulders over the next few days. Just checking — the car stuff is stressful enough without ignoring your body too.
patient-seal-8695/10/2026
Yes, pursue it. No, don't let the insurance company set the number without pushback. Get an independent DV appraisal, send it to them in writing, and be prepared for a counter. It's not as scary as it sounds — it's basically just a negotiation. You have a strong position given how new the car is.
keen-grouse-9765/10/2026
Ugh, this is so frustrating — you finally get the car you worked hard for and this happens. I had no idea diminished value was even a thing until reading this. Good luck, I hope you get everything you're owed. You deserve to be made whole.