Best and Worst Insurance Carriers for Diminished Value

Updated on February 2025

Georgia Insurance Carriers: Diminished Value Claim Comparison

Insurance CarrierAcceptance RateAvg. Payout RangeKey Strengths/Weaknesses
USAA78%$3,500–$9,100✅ Military-only. Rarely uses 17c formula. Honors older vehicles.
Auto-Owners72%$2,800–$7,500✅ Offers DV coverage add-ons. Transparent process.
State Farm68%$2,600–$6,900✅ Follows Mabry v. State Farm. Local agent support.
GEICO65%$2,500–$6,200✅ Fast online claims. Mid-tier payouts. Uses 17c occasionally.
Nationwide60%$2,200–$5,800✅ Diminishing deductible program. Slow but fair.
Erie Insurance58%$2,000–$5,500✅ Regional efficiency. Limited ADAS appraisal skills.
Progressive32%$800–$2,100❌ Blames “wear and tear.” Relies on 17c formula.
Allstate28%$750–$1,900❌ Drains claimants with endless negotiations.
Liberty Mutual30%$700–$1,800❌ Slow processing. Denies claims for older cars.
Farmers Insurance27%$650–$1,700❌ Aggressive on ADAS-related depreciation.
Georgia Farm Bureau25%$600–$1,500❌ Hides appraisal reports. Slow responses.
The Hartford23%$550–$1,400❌ Favors commercial fleets. Ignores luxury/EV claims.

How We Ranked Georgia’s Insurers

We evaluated carriers using:

  1. Claim Acceptance Rates: % of DV claims approved without litigation.
  2. Average Payouts: Compensation vs. independent appraisals.
  3. Georgia DOI Complaint Data: Complaints for delays, denials, or bad faith.
  4. Transparency: Clear policies for submitting DV claims.

Best Insurance Carriers for DV Claims

1. USAA

  • Acceptance Rate: 78% (military families only).
  • Avg. Payout: $3,500–$9,100.
  • Why They’re Good: Honors claims on vehicles up to 10 years old. Rarely uses the 17c formula.
  • Tip: Submit repair invoices and OEM certifications for luxury/EVs.

2. Auto-Owners Insurance

  • Acceptance Rate: 72%.
  • Avg. Payout: $2,800–$7,500.
  • Why They’re Good: Offers diminished value coverage as a policy add-on.
  • Tip: Bundle claims (e.g., rental reimbursement + DV) for faster processing.

3. State Farm

  • Acceptance Rate: 68%.
  • Avg. Payout: $2,600–$6,900.
  • Why They’re Good: Follows Mabry v. State Farm precedent. Local agents simplify filings.

Worst Insurance Carriers for DV Claims

1. Progressive

  • Acceptance Rate: 32%.
  • Avg. Payout: $800–$2,100 (often 50% below fair value).
  • Why They’re Bad: Routinely cites “prior wear and tear” to deny claims.

2. Allstate

  • Acceptance Rate: 28%.
  • Avg. Payout: $750–$1,900.
  • Why They’re Bad: Forces endless negotiations to wear down claimants.

3. Georgia Farm Bureau

  • Acceptance Rate: 25%.
  • Avg. Payout: $600–$1,500.
  • Why They’re Bad: Refuses to share appraisal reports with clients.

Key Takeaways

  1. Top Performers: USAA ($3.5k–$9.1k) and Auto-Owners ($2.8k–$7.5k) offer fair payouts and transparency.
  2. Mid-Tier Options: GEICO and Nationwide balance speed and fairness but may use 17c.
  3. Avoid These: Progressive, Allstate, and Georgia Farm Bureau reject 70–75% of claims with lowball tactics.

Georgia’s Top 3 Appraisal Firms

  1. Diminished Value of Georgia: Free templates + 30+ years’ experience.
  2. Ross Moore Law: Specializes in luxury/EV claims.
  3. Appraisal Engine: Uses no upfront fees, and have an insurer-respected accuracy.

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Diminished Value Car Appraiser