Is it worth making a diminution in value claim following a car accident?

matt20uk

I was recently involved in a non-fault car accident. The third party reversed into the side of my stationary vehicle.

The repairs cost in the region of £700 to £1,000. My vehicle (pre accident) was probably worth £15,000, was less than two years old and had only covered 13,000 miles.

I would like to make a claim for diminution in value of my vehicle. I am certain that my car is now worth less than it was: if my vehicle and an identical vehicle were offered for sale (the other vehicle not having been involved in an accident/repaired), my vehicle would surely be worth less.

Do you think I have a valid claim?

The appointed advisors under my legal expenses insurance say that I need to evidence my loss.

Can anybody recommend an independent assessor/inspector for this purpose? What would be the likely cost of such a report?

Thanks in advance.

Quentin

Repairs costing £700 don't sound major enough to make a significant difference. What damage was done?

matt20uk

Quentin

The damage was to the driver's side front wing and bumper (filled/reshaped and resprayed) and gauges to the driver's side front wheel (irrepairable - new wheel required).

Quentin

It doesn't sound too serious at all, (almost - but not quite - wear and tear! As the wheel was replaced, this was probably an improvement) It's usually major structural/geometry damage that affects value, which this isn't.

Talk again to your solicitor, and see the realistic chances of this claim succeeding.

Nelsonyouth

I agree with Quentin, though would add that you would almost certainly need to provide proof that your vehicle would sell for less, and obviously that's not going to be easy.

TheRedAdmiral

These type of claims I pursue quite a bit.

There are a few basic guidelines. The age of the car is very relevant. Most valid claims tend to be when the age of the car is less than 2 years old. If the car is really valuable (around £30k) you can extend this to 3 years. I have seen one or two claims where a 4 year old car is considerd however the value of the car is in the region of £80k +

In each diminution claim an engineers report will be required and he will confirm the exact level of diminution.

An engineer is considered as an Expert Witness and his report will be suitable evidence of any claim.

matt20uk

TheRedAdmiral wrote: »

In each diminution claim an engineers report will be required and he will confirm the exact level of diminution.

An engineer is considered as an Expert Witness and his report will be suitable evidence of any claim.

Is there a well known/accepted firm that can do the report for me? I have come across several on the internet, but I would like to use one that has a good reputation with insurers. If it helps, the third party insurer is Direct Line.

Would I be able to claim the cost of the report as an uninsured loss?