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So, the unthinkable happened the other day…My beloved Black Panther took one up the butt from a Land Rover Discovery. I’m so depressed…
Without going into the details of the crash (maybe 10-15 MPH), I was surprised at the all the safety features that instantly deployed—even at a low speed rear-end collision. I was stopped at the time of impact, but my car apparently sensed the offending vehicle closing in from behind at a disturbing rate of speed. If you’ve ever questioned whether this stuff actually works, well, it really does. I was very impressed with the technology. I hope no one in this forum ever has/had to experience this of course.
My question to the group is if you or someone you know has experienced a collision (no fault of your own), have you filed a claim against the other person’s insurance company for “diminished value”? I’m in Massachusetts and I know when someone rear-ends me, I can proceed with this type of claim. I know I have to file the claim with the other guy's insurance company...but my insurance company really isn't offering any guidance on how to go about this process.
There’s no way it’s not going to show up on a Carfax report, and even though there amazingly was no frame/body panel damage, I’m sure I’ll get whacked on a trade-in, and the other insurance company should compensate me for this loss of value.
What insurance company does the other driver have?
My 2017 LS460L was rear ended by a kid in a lifted Jeep with a winch on the front bumper and I filed for a diminished value claim, it was no issue...and that car was a lease. Their insurance company was Erie and they were great. That experience actually made me get Erie insurance for myself. This was the damage, and I got $7,000 in diminished value. Traded the car not long after on my S560 and that was about dead on with the diminished value:
What insurance company does the other driver have?
My 2017 LS460L was rear ended by a kid in a lifted Jeep with a winch on the front bumper and I filed for a diminished value claim, it was no issue...and that car was a lease. Their insurance company was Erie and they were great. That experience actually made me get Erie insurance for myself. This was the damage, and I got $7,000 in diminished value. Traded the car not long after on my S560 and that was about dead on with the diminished value:
Hi Steve...He has AIG Property Casualty Co...the guy is from New York. Massachusetts doesn't allow operators of leased vehicles to file a diminished value claim, since it apparenly doesn't impact the lease (I admittedly know very little about that in my state), but I own my vehicle outright anyway. Do you remember any details of how you filed the claim? How did you arrive at a $$ figure? Did you have some type of appraisal done? I know if I was looking to buy a used MB, I would just steer clear of any vehicles involved in a collision. But that's me. A very reputable Mercedes Benz "Elite" body shop is handling the repairs and no doubt will restore the vehicle 100%+ I will finally get rid of that little scratch on the top of the rear bumper!
Last edited by TheBlackPanther; Jan 17, 2026 at 12:47 PM.
Hi Steve...He has AIG Property Casualty Co...the guy is from New York. Massachusetts doesn't allow operators of leased vehicles to file a diminished value claim, since it apparenly doesn't impact the lease (I admittedly know very little about that in my state), but I own my vehicle outright anyway. Do you remember any details of how you filed the claim? How did you arrive at a $$ figure? Did you have some type of appraisal done? I know if I was looking to buy a used MB, I would just steer clear of any vehicles involved in a collision. But that's me. A very reputable Mercedes Benz "Elite" body shop is handling the repairs and no doubt will restore the vehicle 100%+ I will finally get rid of that little scratch on the top of the rear bumper!
AIG is also good from what I hear. I just told the insurance adjuster I needed a diminished value claim and they just agreed and made me an offer. Agree typically no diminished value with a lease, but I didn't argue. For me I always trade my leases in vs turning them in so I am damaged by the diminished value even though its a lease.
AIG is also good from what I hear. I just told the insurance adjuster I needed a diminished value claim and they just agreed and made me an offer. Agree typically no diminished value with a lease, but I didn't argue. For me I always trade my leases in vs turning them in so I am damaged by the diminished value even though its a lease.
You may have to really fight for the diminished value though. I would ask your dealer to give you a statement detailing how the accident would impact their value assessment of your vehicle and have that in your back pocket when negotiating with them. Remember the first offer is just that, a first offer. I didn't negotiate mine because I thought it was fair and like you said I wasn't really entitled to it so I didn't want to rock the boat LOL
You may have to really fight for the diminished value though. I would ask your dealer to give you a statement detailing how the accident would impact their value assessment of your vehicle and have that in your back pocket when negotiating with them. Remember the first offer is just that, a first offer. I didn't negotiate mine because I thought it was fair and like you said I wasn't really entitled to it so I didn't want to rock the boat LOL
I've also been told there are appraisers that will provide me with nice report for a couple hundred bucks that can more than pay for itself if needed. I tend to agree with you though--I think the dealer is in a much better position to write a simple statement and throw in a number since they are the folks that have to sell cars like this and deal with market values all day long.
Quite simply, diminished value depends on the insurance company, and the state in which you live. In Maryland with State Farm, no diminished value…. Check your state laws and both polices of the cars involved.
KC Missouri here. Other driver had Progressive I think. Diminished value was easy for me - they were clearly established as at fault. I asked about diminished value, and they made it easy. Agree with getting a quick quote from a dealer, but honestly the insurance agent was pretty close and they said ‘take it or leave it’ so I took it.
Diminished value depends solely on your insurance policy and the at-fault party's insurance contract. You'll only receive it if it's explicitly stated in the fine print of either policy. If it's not explicitly mentioned, no diminished value will be paid no matter what. Most insurance companies wouldn't even offer as part of the contract it if you ask in certain states.
Quite simply, diminished value depends on the insurance company, and the state in which you live. In Maryland with State Farm, no diminished value…. Check your state laws and both polices of the cars involved.
Depends on whether you are at fault or the other party is at fault. I'm in MD and like I said I was able to get diminished value from the other party's insurance. Diminished value is legitimate damages caused by the at fault party.
Depends on whether you are at fault or the other party is at fault. I'm in MD and like I said I was able to get diminished value from the other party's insurance. Diminished value is legitimate damages caused by the at fault party.
Ive never been at fault in an accident, not even one percent per the md contributory laws....policy dependent, no soup for me.
Ive never been at fault in an accident, not even one percent per the md contributory laws....policy dependent, no soup for me.
Me neither. When you've been damaged though don't take the "you're not owed this" argument. When someone causes you damage, they owe you restitution for that damage, and that includes diminished value. Without diminished value you aren't made whole. So, the other driver owes you that whether their insurance company pays it out or not. The insurance company just succeeded in getting you to drop it.
So, the unthinkable happened the other day…My beloved Black Panther took one up the butt from a Land Rover Discovery. I’m so depressed…
Without going into the details of the crash (maybe 10-15 MPH), I was surprised at the all the safety features that instantly deployed—even at a low speed rear-end collision. I was stopped at the time of impact, but my car apparently sensed the offending vehicle closing in from behind at a disturbing rate of speed. If you’ve ever questioned whether this stuff actually works, well, it really does. I was very impressed with the technology. I hope no one in this forum ever has/had to experience this of course.
My question to the group is if you or someone you know has experienced a collision (no fault of your own), have you filed a claim against the other person’s insurance company for “diminished value”? I’m in Massachusetts and I know when someone rear-ends me, I can proceed with this type of claim. I know I have to file the claim with the other guy's insurance company...but my insurance company really isn't offering any guidance on how to go about this process.
There’s no way it’s not going to show up on a Carfax report, and even though there amazingly was no frame/body panel damage, I’m sure I’ll get whacked on a trade-in, and the other insurance company should compensate me for this loss of value.
Oh geezus BlackPanther, I feel your pain and anguish. - Your post is causing me PTSD. I know EXACTLY how it feels to be violated from the rear. I pretty much documented that whole process in the below post.
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