Diminished Value: Repair Level Two
Diminished Value or Diminution in Value is defined as that portion of a damaged vehicle’s Pre-Loss Value that cannot be restored through the repair process.
Repaired to Pre-loss Condition, to the “Best of Human Ability”
Repair to Pre-loss condition, to the “best of human ability”; Means the repairers followed the most current documented manufacturer specifications and utilized repair equipment and techniques approved by the manufacturer at the time of repair. That the use of ROBOTICS WERE NOT used in the repair of the vehicle or that the vehicle WAS NOT subjected to paint dipping or baking temperatures of 400 plus degrees. That only OEM parts were utilized for replacement of damaged parts and No imitation parts** were used in this repair.
- No reconditioned or re-manufactured parts were used
- Materials were used in the repair that are equal to the original and approved for use by the manufacturer
- Materials used are documented as equivalent and approved for use by the manufacturer
- An expert concluded that no flaws or defects remain visible
- It has been concluded that evidence of the repair process may exist, but identifying the repair would require a trained expert and some disassembly
- An expert has determined that the paintwork has been restored visually to match the factory color, texture and gloss
- Impurities or flaws in the paint may exist equal to remaining original un-repainted panels or equal to that of a same make undamaged vehicle
- Some form of polishing-buffing operation was performed to allow uniform appearance and texture to adjacent panels
- All repair residue has been cleaned and removed from the vehicle interior and exterior and it’s air circulation system
- Diminished value would include inherent loss, insurance induced DV from limiting repairs and un-disclosed potential for DV caused by body shop negligence
- The potential for repair fraud is minimal
- A repair contract is present
If the vehicle was damaged structurally:
- All known manufacturer specifications and recommendations were followed. However no after-repair tear down or testing has been performed on the entire structure.
- Evidence that structural measuring was completed and that the vehicle meets the tolerance of known factory specification.
- If the vehicle has a separate steel frame: That the vehicle’s frame has been replaced with a new OEM frame or if damage was confined to bumper mounting areas and was repaired according to manufacturer recommended methods and limits. That the damage did not extend more than 12 inches into the frame. Any hold damage was corrected and is corrosion protected. That documented measurements confirm the frame is dimensionally within tolerance. That the attached body structure has been restored to factory specifications.
- That the vehicle HAS NOT been disassembled subsequent to repair, electronically tested, x-rayed, or further examined to identify the existence or lack of the existence of kinetic damage caused from the impact in areas such as electronic components, mountings, mechanical or structural components. As a result, there is no certified documented proof that all accident-related damage has been identified or repaired. Any welded seams, joints and spot- welds were inspected and special anti-corrosion coatings, internal and external have been reapplied as needed and examined.
- Some areas of the vehicle reveal it’s had prior damage that may not be related. The vehicle is clearly distinguishable from an undamaged vehicle of the exact same make, year and model, in the opinion of the automotive expert who has inspected the vehicle. All of the factory warranties may not be intact.
- This vehicle is not in exacting pre-loss condition although it may appear so to an untrained person. Department of Transportation, (DOT) labels are visible. There is credible evidence that this vehicle will function, perform and wear in a manner similar to that of an undamaged vehicle of the same year, make and model.
- Aluminium vehicles that sustain structural damage require a qualified repair shop to perform all repairs.
NOTE: Imitation collision repair parts usage would render the vehicle ineligible for Repair Levels DV1 and DV2.
** Imitation parts: Have been determined by the courts to be inferior to OEM parts in many respects. Imitation parts void factory warranties on the imitation component itself and on all other related-connected components that fail due to the presence of the imitation part. Imitation parts have no effective recall system, should the manufacturer discover a design or material defect after installation. Imitation parts have been found NOT to be of like kind and quality in fit, finish, warranty and performance; as a result, using them may cause additional loss of value and additional potential safety hazards. Reconditioned or re-manufactured are also considered to be inferior unless sponsored by the OEM manufacturer.
