Question 1

Can I claim vehicle value loss after a non-fault accident in ?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the principle established in Payton v Brooks [1974], you are entitled to recover the reduction in your vehicle's market value from the at-fault insurer — regardless of which city in England and Wales you live in. A professional evidence pack gives you the strongest possible foundation to make this claim.

Question 2

My car has been repaired. Can I still make a value loss claim?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and the repair is actually important evidence. Diminution in value is the gap between what your vehicle would have sold for before the accident and what it sells for now, given its recorded accident history. That history persists after repair. In fact, repaired vehicles often demonstrate the loss most clearly, because the accident has been formally documented through the insurance claim process.

Question 3

What if the insurer says my vehicle hasn't lost any value?

Accepted Answer

This is a common response from at-fault insurers — particularly when claims are made without supporting documentation. An insurer asserting this position without evidence is not the same as it being true. A formally calculated diminution figure, supported by a live VRM valuation and a professional evidence pack, creates a documented counter-position they must address. Many claims that were initially denied are settled after a pack is submitted.

Question 4

Does the type of vehicle affect how much I can recover?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Newer vehicles, higher-value vehicles, and specialist or prestige vehicles typically see larger absolute value loss figures. Vans and commercial vehicles can see disproportionately large percentage losses due to the commercial buyer market's risk aversion around accident history. Older, lower-value vehicles will carry lower pre-accident values, but the loss still exists and is still recoverable.

Question 5

How long do I have to make a claim?

Accepted Answer

The general limitation period for this type of claim in England and Wales is 3 years (or up to 6 years for some property damage claims). In Scotland the prescriptive period is typically 5 years. Acting sooner gives you the advantage of fresher evidence and a more active claim file at the at-fault insurer.