The Diminished Value Inspection

Poor quality repairs can compromise the safety that was designed into your automobile. It may also cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost value. This loss in value is called Diminished Value. Your vehicle represents a major investment, and its proper repair should be important to you. If the repairs are  covered by insurance, either yours or another party’s, there is no reason your vehicle should not be restored as close as humanly possible to pre-accident condition. Therefore, it is important that you choose a repair facility that will look out for YOUR best interests. The shop should have trained and certified technicians; proper state-of-the-art equipment; offer a lifetime warranty; and have friendly, knowledgeable staff that can assist you in ensuring your automobile is restored as close as humanly possible to its pre-loss condition.

Finally! You have someone you can turn to with

 questions about insurance and collision repairs.

Who’s entitled to Diminished Value?

If your vehicle has been in an accident, you may have lost money. This may be owed to you for three to six years (in the State of Washington).

What is Diminished Value?

There are 3 types of Diminished Value:

1. Inherent diminished value - the automatic loss in vehicle market value from an accident. Almost every damaged vehicle will have some measure of inherent diminished value which is still an actual loss to the consumer.

2. Repair related diminished value - a loss in market value due to remaining flaws and defects caused by improper repairs. Items in this category have been paid on the repair estimate, but have been repaired improperly, or perhaps overlooked completely.

3. Insurance related diminished value - a loss in vehicle market value due to insurance practices. This is typically caused by the insurance company failing to pay to repair a flaw or defect listed on the repair estimate.

Who Pays Diminished Value?

Either your insurance company OR the person responsible for the accident and his/her insurance company.

You are very likely owed compensation for diminished value BY LAW even if your vehicle has been repaired CORRECTLY!

What Does A Diminished Value and

Post Repair Inspection Include?

1. It provides a careful review of the insurance estimate for thoroughness and accuracy. We determine whether or not ALL repairs have been paid for and completed.

2. It provides an experts’ assessment of the extent and quality of the repaired automobile. The vehicle is extensively  examined for any deficiencies in safety, quality, function, and appearance. The automobile is also inspected for any repair fraud that may have taken place during the repair process.

3. This information is then compiled to provide an analysis of the repair along with a report on the estimated range of loss in retail market value of the repaired vehicle.

4. We then provide guidance and information to aid in the collection of the loss of value and, if necessary, assistance in the re-repair of a defective vehicle.

Finally

Stroud’s has been providing Diminished Value and Post Repair Inspections since 1997. Our system reports the facts in a clear and concise manner, which educates and empowers you, the consumer.

After an accident you want your damaged vehicle restored as close as humanly possible to pre-accident condition, relative to function, appearance, safety, and value. Consumers require accountability from their insurance company, and the repair facility for this restoration, a Diminished Value/Post Repair Inspection can aid in this accountability.

Did you know when your automobile was manufactured, it underwent over 1,600 separate inspections for flaws, defects, and safety hazards? That’s why you feel safe putting your family in a new car. You can trust that every part on the car will perform exactly the way it was designed.

Our diminished value inspections have revealed that over 70% of collision repaired cars have a serious flaw or defect that was overlooked by both the insurance company and body shop. That’s a 70% chance that something may not work the way it was designed. We’ve discovered that even though the paint is nice and shiny, what’s hidden underneath may compromise your family’s safety.

Remember, at Stroud’s, we are your consumer protection headquarters and we want your car to be safe for you and your family.

Some Pictures of Bad Repair Jobs from Insurance Companies that GOT OUR CUSTOMERS MONEY BACK FROM THE DIMINISHED VALUE INSPECTION