Thank You for Your Interest
Unable to Process At-Fault Claims
Thank you for taking the time to submit your information. We appreciate your interest in our diminished value services.
Unfortunately, we are unable to assist with diminished value claims when the policyholder is determined to be at fault for the accident. In New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, diminished value is recovered from the at-fault driver's liability insurance. If you were the at-fault party, the other driver may have a claim against your policy — but you generally cannot file a diminished value claim for your own vehicle.
This is because diminished value is a form of property damage, and liability insurance only pays for damage you cause to others — not to yourself. Your own collision coverage pays for repairs, but it does not cover the residual loss in market value that occurs after an accident appears on your vehicle's history report.
We understand this may be disappointing. Below you'll find information about what you can do next, and other ways we may still be able to help.
What You Can Do Next
- • Contact your insurance company directly to discuss your claim options and coverage
- • If fault is disputed or shared, request a copy of the police report to clarify liability
- • Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney if you were injured — we offer free attorney referrals
- • Keep all documentation related to your accident, repairs, and communications with insurers
- • Review your insurance policy for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that may apply
What If You Were Only Partially at Fault?
New Jersey uses a modified comparative negligence standard. If you were less than 50% responsible for the accident, you may still be eligible to recover a proportional share of your vehicle's diminished value from the other driver's insurance.
For example, a Clark, NJ driver involved in a collision on Route 22 was initially told they were at fault. After the police report was reviewed, fault was reassigned to the other driver. The vehicle owner then qualified for a diminished value appraisal and recovered over $3,800.
Other Ways We May Still Help
- Free attorney referral if injuries were involved in the accident
- General documentation guidance for accident records and insurance correspondence
- Damage estimate report review if you have concerns about repair quality or completeness
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto Value Claims LLC is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This information is for educational purposes only.