Per-state stance, statute of limitations, citable case law, and typical recovery range.
See the insurer's anchor before you negotiate — built from the actual formula State Farm uses.
USPAP-compliant market-data report that documents true DV using your VIN's comp set.
17c Diminished Value Calculator
The 17c formula is the industry-standard starting point used by State Farm, GEICO, and most adjusters. Real recoveries are usually higher — this gives you the insurer's anchor.
Diminished value by state
Stance, citable law, and statute of limitations vary widely. Pick your state for the specifics.
First-party DV states (you can claim from your own insurer)
Third-party DV states (claim from the at-fault driver's insurer)
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- District of Columbia
Limited / case-dependent states
Frequently asked
What is a diminished value claim?
Diminished value (DV) is the loss in resale value a vehicle suffers after a reported accident, even when fully repaired. A buyer will pay less for a car with an accident on Carfax. You can recover that gap from the at-fault driver's insurer (third-party DV), and in a handful of states, from your own insurer (first-party DV).
How much is a diminished value claim worth?
Most claims fall between $1,500 and $6,500. The 17c formula caps DV at 10% of pre-loss ACV, but real market-data appraisals usually exceed that. A 3-year-old vehicle with structural damage routinely loses 18–25% of value.
Which states allow first-party diminished value claims?
Georgia (Mabry v. State Farm), Washington (Moeller v. Farmers), Massachusetts (Bulletin 2016-04), Kansas, and Kentucky have squarely affirmed first-party DV. Every other state allows third-party DV against the at-fault driver's insurer.
How long do I have to file a diminished value claim?
Statute of limitations varies by state — typically 2–6 years for property damage. Florida and Texas are 2 years; California and Colorado are 3 years; Illinois is 5 years. File early; insurers stall.
Is the 17c formula accurate?
No. 17c was created by State Farm in a Georgia consent decree and has no statistical basis. Adjusters use it as an opening anchor. An independent market-data appraisal (comparing your VIN's pre-loss vs post-loss comps) almost always recovers more.