A Basic Overview
|
Is there a statutory basis controlling diminished value claims ? |
NO |
|
Is there favorable Reported case law for Diminished Value Claims ? |
YES |
|
Can my Collision Coverage cover the Diminished Value of my vehicle ? |
NO |
|
Can my Uninsured Motorist cover my Diminished Value ? |
NO |
|
What is the small claims court authority limit ? |
$15,000 |
|
What is the Statute of Limitations to recover my diminished value ? |
6 years |
|
Are “iCan” appraisals accepted into evidence ? |
YES |
Expanded Narrative
An Objective Overview of
Diminished Value Laws
in North Dakota as reviewed by
J. D. Howard
NORTH DAKOTA IS NOT A DIMINISHED VALUE RECOVERY STATE …
There is an over-abundance of Diminished Value appraisal services being promoted on internet search engines. Sadly, too many of those sites are run by unqualified hustlers out for a quick buck. There are only a hand full of qualified service providers that know what they’re doing and can be relied upon to tell the truth. This web site is among that hand full.
As noted above, North Dakota is NOT a Diminished Value Recovery State. Under North Dakota Statute § 32-03.09.1 and supported by the Case Law precedent of Sullivan v. Pulkrabek (611 N.W.2d 162) circa 2000, you are only entitled to recover either the cost of repairs ... [or] ... the Diminished Value ... whichever is less !
TAX DEDUCTION ?
IF the at-Fault party that damaged your vehicle has NO insurance (or insufficient limits for you to be fully Made Whole) and you itemize your tax deductions, you may (operative word “may”) be eligible to deduct your Post-Repair Residual Diminished Value as an “Un-Compensated Casualty Loss” … Seek further advice from your Tax Adviser !
Truth. . . MATTERS !
Notwithstanding what other web sites may have you believe, there are only 3 (yes, only 3) general categories of Diminished Value that impact consumers …
- Immediate / Inherent Diminished Value is the Loss of Value of a damaged vehicle immediately upon infliction of the damage.
- Post-Repair Residual Inherent Diminished Value is, as the title implies, that portion of the Inherent Diminished Value that was Not restored through the repair process.
- Repair-Related Diminished Value is that portion of a vehicle’s Loss of Value that is directly related to a less-than-optimal repair work product. Repair-Related Diminished Value is Not owed by the at-fault party. After all, it is not their fault that repairs to your vehicle were defective. UNLESS …
- The insurer of the at-fault party directed the repairs to a specific repair facility (or influenced your selection of repair facility). At that point, the insurance company is on-the-hook for repair defects and it becomes more of a Repair Warranty claim than a Diminished Value claim.
- A Repair Warranty claim would require physical inspection of the repaired vehicle. We may be able to recommend a local resource to help you facilitate your Repair Warranty claim.
FYI . . . DRP Agreements . . .
DRP (Direct Referral Program) Agreements do exist (in writing). Under the terms of a DRP agreement, a body shop surrenders virtual control of their facility, to an insurance company, in exchange for that insurance company’s promise to promote that body shop to their insureds and claimants. All decisions as to method of repair and parts to be used are dictated by the insurance company. We’ve actually read DRP agreements that stated “the vehicle owner shall remain ‘Blind’ as to any difference of opinion that may arise between [insurance company] and [this] shop”.
Your FREE Diminished Value Estimate comes direct from … J. D. Howard.
Go to ... (or Go Back to) ... Diminished Value Options page.
