Diminished value claims in Vermont
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 Vermont, that lost value — “diminished value” — can generally be pursued. Here's how Vermont treats it.
Vermont 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
You can generally pursue the lost resale value from the at-fault driver's insurer.
Like most states, your own policy generally doesn't cover diminished value.
Measured from the accident date, not the repair date.
Diminished value in Vermont
Vermont is NOT a strong first-party DV state on .gov/vermontjudiciary.org sources — no Vermont Supreme Court case clearly establishes a first-party DV duty under standard auto policies, and DFR FAQs do not affirmatively recognize first-party DV. Third-party DV (against the at-fault driver in tort) IS recoverable as an element of property damage under standard common-law negligence — diminution between pre-loss FMV and post-repair FMV (market comparison).
How Moe handles diminished value in Vermont
Knowing the rule is one thing — applying it against a carrier is another. Moe builds your case to Vermont’s rules, drafts every letter for your approval, tracks the deadlines, and only pings you when there’s a decision to make.
Vermont diminished value — common questions
- Can I file a diminished value claim in Vermont?
- Generally yes — if another driver was at fault, Vermont 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 Vermont?
- Usually not. In Vermont, 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 Vermont?
- In Vermont 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.
Learn more
Sources
This page summarizes Vermont’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.