Property Damage vs. Injury Claims
A diminished value claim is a property damage issue. It focuses on the vehicle’s market value, not medical bills or pain and suffering. Even when a vehicle is fully repaired, buyers may pay less because the vehicle now has an accident history—so the “loss” can be the difference between what the car was worth right before the deer strike and what it’s worth after repairs.
What to Document
- Proof of the vehicle’s condition before the deer strike: recent photos, maintenance records, and any pre-loss inspection or appraisal you already have.
- Proof of the damage and repairs: repair estimate(s), final invoice(s), parts list, paint/materials detail, and photos taken before/during/after repairs.
- Proof the repairs were completed properly: alignment printouts, calibration documentation (if applicable), and any post-repair inspection notes.
- Proof of diminished value: a written diminished value appraisal or valuation report that explains the “before” value, the “after” value, and why the market discounts the vehicle even after repairs.
- Crash documentation (if available): a crash report can help show date, location, and basic facts, but it is not the only way to prove what happened.
Common Resolution Paths
- Negotiation: The insurer (or other decision-maker) typically wants repair documentation, photos, and a clear valuation basis for the diminished value amount you’re requesting.
- Appraisal/dispute processes: Some claims get resolved through competing valuations (for example, your appraisal vs. the insurer’s evaluation). The exact process depends on the claim setup and paperwork involved, so be careful about agreeing to a process you don’t understand.
- Small claims or court options: If a dispute can’t be resolved informally, court may be an option in some situations. Whether that makes sense depends on the facts, the proof available, and the costs of pursuing the claim.
How This Applies
Apply to your facts: Because the vehicle struck a deer (not another driver), the key question is usually whether the diminished value request is being made under a first-party property claim (often tied to comprehensive coverage) and what documentation the insurer will accept. Since the vehicle was repaired and not totaled, your strongest support is typically a complete repair file (estimates, invoices, photos) plus a diminished value appraisal that explains the market-value drop after the repairs. A police crash report can help, and North Carolina law requires reporting certain “reportable” crashes, but a report is not always the deciding factor for diminished value.
What the Statutes Say (Optional)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-166.1 (Crash reporting) – Requires drivers to notify law enforcement for a “reportable” crash and describes how official crash reports are created and handled.
Conclusion
An animal collision does not automatically prevent a diminished value claim in North Carolina. What usually matters most is the claim pathway (often a first-party property claim) and whether you can clearly prove the vehicle’s market value dropped even after quality repairs. The most helpful next step is to organize your repair file and photos and obtain a written diminished value appraisal that explains the before-and-after values in plain terms.
