THE USAA APPROACH TO SETTLING AUTO DIMINISHED VALUE CLAIMS

I am a totally disabled service connected veteran and a USAA member for 18 years. I was involved in an accident in my 2007 Mercedes-Benz SLK. My car was in as new condition, not a blemish, with 48k miles. The accident was not my fault. The police came and clearly stated that the other driver was at fault. A claim was initiated, and as it turned out the other driver also had USAA insurance. There was $7,200.00 damage to my car. The car was towed to the body shop on Jan, 12, 2017. USAA promptly issued payment to the repair shop. I do not have rental car reimbursement on my car.  I asked about a loss of use payment. I also asked about a diminished value claim. I was told I could be reimbursed $90.00 for a rental car, for three days rental. I was told I could not receive payment for loss of use. I was told I would need to file my own diminished value claim. Today is Feb, 2, 2017. My car is still in the shop. I did file a diminished value claim with USAA against the at fault drivers policy. I have spoken with the local Mercedes-Benz Dealer prior to filing the claim; the dealer told me that due to the accident my car was now worth $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 less.

USAA determined that my diminished value loss was $114.00.

THE ST LUCIE APPRAISAL COMPANY
772-359-4300

WE DON’T USE FORMULAS, ALGORITHMS, AD COMPARISONS OR OTHER SHORT CUTS
SIX DEALER QUOTES IN EVERY APPRAISAL
TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS ALWAYS FREE-OF-CHARGE
The above lament was penned by a third-party claimant who made an auto diminished value claim against USAA. While not a client of ours, his story is common among those of us who have had our cars damaged by someone else’s negligence. Now that your car has a repair history, its value is reduced by thousands of dollars, USAA and other insurers regularly shortchange claimants as a matter of course, making paltry settlement offers hoping to discourage people from persisting. It’s not rocket science. Would you purchase this car for only $114.00 less knowing it was in a wreck? Of course not. Neither would anyone who works for USAA yet they obviously expect you to settle for that amount.

There are hundreds of independent appraisers that prepare diminished value reports. Most are either one man’s “expert” opinion based on years in the business or created using algorithms or formulas that take five minutes to conjure up and carry little or no credibility with magistrates and umpires.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company makes multiple inquiries of sales managers at new car dealerships in order to obtain real-world diminished value numbers. The dealers queried have no vested interest in the subject vehicle and offer the most unbiased, expert opinions on how much value your car has lost. Insurance claims managers and defense attorneys can instantly recognize a credible Diminished Value Report and respond accordingly. Had the USAA member hired us, we’d like to think he’d be holding more than a check for $114.00 in his hand.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company
Phone: (772) 359-4300
Email: contact@stlucieappraisal.net

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$275.00.
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