Can I file a diminished value claim in Colorado?

Generally yes — if another driver was at fault, Colorado typically lets you pursue diminished value (the resale value your car lost just from having an accident on its record) against that driver's insurer. Diminished value applies to a repaired car, not a totaled one.

Can I recover diminished value from my own insurer in Colorado?

Usually not. In Colorado, as in most states, your own auto policy generally doesn't cover diminished value — it's typically pursued against the at-fault driver's insurer instead.

How long do I have to file a diminished value claim in Colorado?

In Colorado the statute of limitations is generally 3 years, and the clock usually starts on the accident date — not when the car was repaired. Waiting too long can permanently bar the claim.

Colorado · Diminished value

Diminished value claims in Colorado

If your car was repaired after a crash someone else caused, it's now worth less on paper simply because it has an accident on its record. In Colorado, that lost value — “diminished value” — can generally be pursued. Here's how Colorado treats it.

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Colorado at a glance

Third-party DV (at-fault driver's insurer): Yes
First-party DV (your own insurer): No
How DV is measured: Market comparison (before-vs-after value)
Time limit to file (statute of limitations): 3 years

Diminished value in Colorado

Colorado is NOT a strong first-party DV state on .gov sources. DOI explicitly disclaims: "there are no Colorado insurance laws that address diminished value." No Colorado Supreme Court case on .gov establishes a first-party DV duty (the prior Bohlender v. Mercury Casualty cite is presumed-fabricated — zero .gov footprint). Third-party DV IS recoverable in tort as the standard property-damage measure (pre-loss FMV minus post-repair FMV).

How Moe handles diminished value in Colorado

Knowing the rule is one thing — applying it against a carrier is another. Moe builds your case to Colorado’s rules, drafts every letter for your approval, tracks the deadlines, and only pings you when there’s a decision to make.

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Colorado diminished value — common questions

Can I file a diminished value claim in Colorado?: Generally yes — if another driver was at fault, Colorado typically lets you pursue diminished value (the resale value your car lost just from having an accident on its record) against that driver's insurer. Diminished value applies to a repaired car, not a totaled one.
Can I recover diminished value from my own insurer in Colorado?: Usually not. In Colorado, as in most states, your own auto policy generally doesn't cover diminished value — it's typically pursued against the at-fault driver's insurer instead.
How long do I have to file a diminished value claim in Colorado?: In Colorado the statute of limitations is generally 3 years, and the clock usually starts on the accident date — not when the car was repaired. Waiting too long can permanently bar the claim.

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All Colorado accident-claim rules · Other states

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This page summarizes Colorado’s car-accident claim rules for general information — it is not legal advice, and the rules can change. What applies to your claim depends on your policy and the specific facts.