# Diminished Value Claim in Texas | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. What Does “Diminished Value” Mean? 2. How to File a Claim for Diminished Vehicle Value 3. Do You Need a Claims Attorney? 4. Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help After a [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/) car accident, your conversations with auto insurance companies may involve vehicle inspections, repair estimates, and coverage to repair or replace your vehicle. What you probably won’t hear your insurance agent talk about is your vehicle’s “diminished value.” Diminished value is a valid type of compensation you may be able to claim after a collision that damages your vehicle. Here’s what this type of claim means in Texas, and why you should bring it up during settlement negotiations with your insurer. ## What Does “Diminished Value” Mean? After a fender bender or more serious car crash, your insurance company (or the company of the at-fault driver) will typically offer to compensate you for the cost of repairs. You receive the check and get the repairs, and then your vehicle is good as new – right? Wrong. In many cases, the value of your automobile drops after being involved in an accident. Potential buyers can look at a wreck as a blemish on the vehicle’s history. They may argue that the accident and subsequent repairs altered the original vehicle, or worsened it in some way. Diminished value describes the difference between what your vehicle was worth before the accident and what it is worth after repairs. An insurance company may try to say that there is no diminished value – that you can sell your repaired vehicle for the same price you would have had no accident occurred. This isn’t always true. Even if your repairs look perfect, a history of damage can deter buyers (inherent diminished value). If you have to replace your existing vehicle parts with different versions because the company won’t authorize certain repairs (claim-related diminished value), this can also result in a lower-value vehicle. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## How to File a Claim for Diminished Vehicle Value If you were not at fault for your accident (and an act of God such as a fallen tree did not cause the damage), you could be eligible for diminished value compensation. Bring up diminished value to the insurance agent in charge of your claim. He or she might deny that it exists, or say he/she knows nothing about it. Be persistent, or retain the services of a diminished value claims attorney for assistance. You must prove three main points to qualify for diminished value: 1. Your vehicle lost value. 2. There is a specific dollar amount of lost value. 3. The insurance company allows you to recover the diminished value. To prove your claim, keep all receipts, estimates, and documents from the mechanic shop that performed the repairs on your vehicle. Document all new or replacement parts installed, noting whether they are aftermarket components or from the original equipment manufacturer. You must then establish the current market value of your vehicle, and prove that it is less than its value prior to the crash. ## Do You Need a Claims Attorney? A diminished value claim can result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars added to your insurance settlement agreement after a [car accident in Texas](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/car-accident-lawyer/). Proving your claim, however, can be a lot of work. Consider working with an attorney who specializes in diminished value claims to make the process easier and more rewarding. Even with legal fees, you could take home more money than you would have without a lawyer. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / Linkedin Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Property Damage Blog Posts: [![5 Things To Know About Property Damage Claims](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/5-Things-To-Know-About-Property-Damage-Claims-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-things-to-know-about-property-damage-claims/) [5 Things to Know About Property Damage Claims](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/5-things-to-know-about-property-damage-claims/) If someone damages your property through irresponsible or criminal behavior, a property damage claim might arise in [![How to Spot a Car With Flood Damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/themes/brian-white/assets/app/img/default-thumb.webp)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-spot-a-car-with-flood-damage/) [How to Spot a Car With Flood Damage](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/how-to-spot-a-car-with-flood-damage/) When it comes to cars, water can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, a gallon of the soapy stuff can keep your --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/diminished-value-claim-in-texas/