Even after professional repairs, a vehicle that’s been in an accident is rarely worth what it was before.

That loss in market value—the difference between a car’s pre-accident value and its post-repair value—is called diminished value.

Dealerships, private buyers, and even online platforms discount vehicles with accident histories. In Ohio, that difference can be claimed from the at-fault party’s insurance company as part of your property-damage recovery.

Get your free diminished value estimate.

Insurance companies often focus only on visible repairs—body panels, paint, parts.

But when a crash goes on record, your vehicle history permanently changes.

If you ever sell or trade in that vehicle, its resale value drops.

A properly documented diminished value claim helps bridge that gap so you’re compensated not only for repairs, but for the market loss that repairs can’t fix.

Here is where you start.

Under Ohio law, accident victims are entitled to be made whole—meaning compensation for all proven losses caused by another driver’s fault.

Courts recognize that diminished value is part of that loss, but insurers rarely volunteer payment unless the claim is clearly supported.

You can file a Diminished Value Claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer, supported by documentation such as:

- Repair Invoice

- Photos of the before and after, showing the damage and completed repairs

- Crash or Police Report

- A Professional Valuation Report

Recover My Value™ focuses on helping Ohio drivers document, present, and pursue Diminished Value‍, the post-repair loss.

Whether you’re handling your own claim or need structured legal guidance, the goal is the same: Positioned, timed, and documented in a way that insurers actually respond to.

That’s where Recover My Value steps in.

Start here: Get Free Diminished Value Estimate.

Recover My Value is based in Ohio and serves clients statewide across Ohio, including:

Akron, OH

Canton, OH

Cincinnati, OH

Cleveland, OH

Columbus, OH

Dayton, OH

Elyria, OH

Hamilton, OH

Kettering, OH

Lakewood, OH

Lorain, OH

Parma, OH

Springfield, OH

Toledo, OH

Youngstown, OH