Vehicle Valuation by State

State-Specific Diminished Value & Total Loss Information

image/svg+xml Map Key All Services Available Total Loss Only Services Currently Unavailable
Select your state to view diminished value and total loss information, applicable laws, claim guidance, and available appraisal services.

Every State Handles This Differently

Diminished value law isn't uniform anywhere in the U.S. — Some states give you just two years to file a claim, while Rhode Island gives you ten. Georgia is one of the few states where you can pursue diminished value under your own policy; most states restrict it to a claim against the at-fault driver's insurer. Michigan's no-fault system caps recovery through a “mini-tort” statute at $3,000, and North Dakota's courts generally don't recognize a traditional post-repair diminished value claim at all. If you were in an accident that wasn't your fault, what you're entitled to — and how long you have to claim it — depends entirely on which state the accident happened in.

Quick Comparison: How States Differ

  • Shortest filing window: The shortest window is 2 years, which applies in about a dozen states.
  • Longest filing window: Rhode Island — 10 years, far longer than any neighboring state.
  • Highest small claims cap: Tennessee — $25,000.
  • Lowest small claims cap: Kentucky — $2,500.
  • First-party claims allowed: Georgia is a clear example — recovery under your own policy plus UM/UIM coverage, unlike most states where diminished value is a third-party-only claim against the at-fault driver's insurer.
  • No-fault outlier: Michigan handles diminished value through a “mini-tort” statute (MCL § 500.3135), capped at $3,000.
  • Limited recognition: North Dakota generally treats repair cost plus loss of use as the standard measure of damages rather than a traditional diminished value claim.

Statute of Limitations & Small Claims Cap by State

State Statute of Limitations Small Claims Cap Total Loss Diminished Value
Alabama 2 years $6,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Alaska 2 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Arizona 2 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Arkansas 3 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
California 3 years $12,500 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Colorado 3 years $7,500 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Connecticut 2 years $5,000 Not Currently Available Not Currently Available
Delaware 2 years $15,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
District of Columbia 3 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Florida 4 years $8,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Georgia 4 years $15,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Hawaii 2 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Idaho 3 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Illinois 5 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Indiana 2 years $8,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Iowa 5 years $6,500 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Kansas 2 years $4,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Kentucky 2 years $2,500 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Louisiana 2 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Maine 6 years $6,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Maryland 3 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Massachusetts 3 years $7,000 Not Currently Available Not Currently Available
Michigan 3 years $3,000 (mini-tort cap) View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Minnesota 6 years $15,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Mississippi 3 years $3,500 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Missouri 5 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Montana 2 years $7,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Nebraska 4 years $7,500 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Nevada 3 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
New Hampshire 3 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
New Jersey 6 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
New Mexico 4 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
New York 3 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
North Carolina 3 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
North Dakota Limited recognition — see guide N/A View Total Loss Guide Not Currently Available
Ohio 2 years $6,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Oklahoma 2 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Oregon 6 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Pennsylvania 2 years $12,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Rhode Island 10 years $5,000 Not Currently Available Not Currently Available
South Carolina 3 years $7,500 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
South Dakota 6 years $12,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Tennessee 3 years $25,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Texas 2 years $20,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Utah 3 years $20,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Vermont 3 years $5,000 Not Currently Available Not Currently Available
Virginia 5 years $5,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Washington 3 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
West Virginia 2 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Wisconsin 6 years $10,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide
Wyoming 4 years $6,000 View Total Loss Guide View Diminished Value Guide

Diminished Value: Common Questions

Common questions about how diminished value claims work across different states.

  • Does every state allow diminished value claims?

    Most do, but not identically. The large majority recognize third-party diminished value claims when another driver is at fault. A handful, like North Dakota, generally don't recognize a traditional post-repair claim, and a few, like Michigan, route it through a different legal mechanism entirely (a no-fault mini-tort statute).

  • What's the difference between a first-party and third-party diminished value claim?

    A third-party claim is filed against the at-fault driver's insurance company, this is how most states handle it. A first-party claim is filed under your own policy, which most insurers exclude by default. Georgia is a notable exception that allows first-party diminished value recovery, including through UM/UIM coverage.

  • Which states have the longest and shortest deadlines to file?

    The shortest window is 2 years, which applies in about a dozen states. Rhode Island has the longest deadline at 10 years.

  • Why do small claims caps matter for a diminished value claim?

    If your claim amount fits under your state's small claims limit, you may be able to resolve it without hiring an attorney or filing a full civil suit. Caps range from $2,500 in Kentucky to $25,000 in Tennessee, so where the accident happened affects your options.

  • My state isn't fully "available" on the map, can I still get help?

    Yes. The map's coloring reflects which services Premier DV currently offers in each state (full service, report-only, or not yet available), it doesn't mean diminished value law doesn't apply there. Contact us to find out what's available for your situation.

Still have a question?

Every state has its own rules, and details can change. Reach out and we'll walk you through what applies to your situation.

Contact