Hey, your post popped up in my email. Here's what you need to know. First, you don't need a local appraiser for inherent diminished value, only for repair-related DV where poor repair quality caused the car to lose value. Your car is worth less simply because its got a bad Carfax. Second, use an independent appraiser who has an appraisers license from any state, not a "certified" or other type of private organization's designation, last, be sure to use an appraiser that bases the diminished value on quotes from Ford dealers, six of them at least, not appraisers that use formulas or auction results. Note: Even with the best appraisal you might still have trouble with the insurance company - they do not like paying for diminished value. Sometimes it takes a lawsuit but most often not. I just testified in a case where a 2013 Honda Passport had only $1600 in damage, DV was $2000, Safeco offered him Zilch. Turns out that Safeco ended up paying the $2K, the cost of my appraisal and expert witness fee, the attorney's fee + the cost of their own expert and attorney. Ouch!
