Claimerly — Free Valuation Tool & Demand Letter

Free · No Attorney Needed · Results in Minutes

Claimerly Valuation Tool

Answer a few questions and we'll calculate your underpayment estimate for total loss, diminished value, and loss of use — then match you with the right specialist, free.

Step 1 of 4 — What happened with your vehicle?

Select all that apply — you may have more than one type of claim.

Claim Type Your Vehicle Claim Details Your Info

🚗

My car was totaled and the insurer's offer seems too low

The insurance company declared my vehicle a total loss and gave me a settlement figure — but I think my car was worth more than that.

Avg. recovery: $3,000 – $8,000

📉

My car was repaired but it's worth less now because of the accident

Even though my car was fixed, it now has an accident on its history report — which means it's worth less than it was. I want to claim that difference.

Avg. recovery: $1,500 – $7,500

📅

I was without my car and wasn't properly compensated for that time

The accident left me without a vehicle for days or weeks. I either wasn't paid for that, or the rental reimbursement I got didn't cover it.

Avg. recovery: $400 – $2,000

🤔

I'm not sure — I just want to see if I was underpaid

I had a claim and I'm not confident I got what I was owed. Help me figure out if any of these apply.

We'll assess all three claim types

Tell us about your vehicle.

We'll use this to look up your vehicle's actual market value and compare it to what the insurer offered.

Year *

Make *

Model *

Trim / Package

Mileage at Time of Loss *

Vehicle Condition Before Accident

ZIP Code *

Used to find comparable sales in your local market.

Date of Accident

Tell us about your claim.

Fill in only the sections that match your situation. We'll calculate your estimate for each one.

🚗 Total Loss What did the insurer offer?

ℹ How this works▼

How this works: Under California law, the insurer owes you the cost to replace your vehicle — meaning retail dealer value, not private-party value. CCC ONE and Audatex are known to produce values that are 8–22% below true retail replacement cost. Enter the retail value from KBB or Edmunds (what you'd pay at a dealer) alongside the insurer's offer to see your gap.

Insurer's Settlement Offer ($) *

The amount on your settlement letter or check.

Your Vehicle's Retail Replacement Value (from KBB or Edmunds) ($)

KBB.com → Retail Value (what a dealer charges), or Edmunds.com → True Market Value. California law requires the insurer to pay what it costs you to replace the vehicle — not the lower private-party resale figure. Leave blank if you don't have it yet.

Estimated Underpayment

Enter the insurer's offer and your KBB/Edmunds value above to see your gap.

Which Insurance Company Made This Offer?

Has the Claim Been Settled?

📉 Diminished Value What did the repairs cost?

ℹ How this works▼

How this works: We use the industry-standard 17c formula. It starts with your vehicle's pre-accident value, applies a 10% cap, then adjusts for how severe the damage was and how many miles are on the car. The severity of damage is automatically estimated from the repair cost — so we just need those two numbers.

Pre-Accident Vehicle Value ($) *

Use KBB.com → Retail Value, or Edmunds.com → True Market Value — the dealer retail price for your vehicle in its pre-accident condition. This is the correct base for the 17c formula; private-party value understates your loss.

Total Repair Cost ($) *

From the repair shop invoice. We use this to automatically determine the damage severity for the formula.

Damage Severity & 17c Calculation

Enter vehicle value and repair cost above to see your calculation.

Who Paid for the Repairs?

Date Repairs Completed

📅 Loss of Use How long were you without your car?

ℹ How loss of use works▼

Important: Loss of use as a full damages claim applies when the other driver was at fault. In that case, their insurance company owes you compensation for every day you were without a vehicle — whether or not you actually rented one. If you were at fault and filed with your own insurer, your rental reimbursement is limited to whatever your own policy covers.

Who caused the accident? *

🟢

Their Fault

🟡

Shared / Disputed

🔴

My Fault

❓

Not Sure Yet

Best case for your claim. Their insurer owes you for every day you were without a vehicle — at the retail rental market rate — with no cap from your own policy. This applies whether or not you actually rented a car.

You may still have a partial claim. We'll estimate based on a 50/50 split — a figure an independent appraiser can refine once fault is officially determined. Don't wait to gather your documentation.

Your rental reimbursement is limited to your own policy limits. Loss of use as a third-party claim isn't available here, but we can still check whether your insurer honored the limits your policy actually provides.

Calculate your potential claim now. Once fault is established you'll know exactly what to recover and from which insurer. Gathering the numbers today puts you ahead of the process.

Your Insurance Company

The Other Driver's Insurance Company

How many days were you without your vehicle? *

Count from the accident date to when your car was returned, replaced, or you gave up waiting.

Daily retail rate for a comparable rental vehicle ($) *

Look up the current walk-up rate at Hertz, Enterprise, or Avis for a vehicle comparable to yours. Use the retail rate — not a member discount or pre-negotiated rate. This is the legally correct measure of your loss.

Rental company used for rate reference

Optional but helpful — documents the basis for your daily rate if the insurer disputes it.

Did you rent a replacement vehicle?

Yes — I rented a carEven if the insurer partially reimbursed you, you may still be owed more — we'll calculate the gap between what you paid and the full market-rate value the insurer actually owes.

No — I managed without rentingYou can still claim loss of use compensation even if you didn't rent a car.

Loss of Use Estimate

Enter the days above to see your estimate.

Almost done — where should we send your results?

We'll email your full claim estimate and, if it's worth pursuing, match you with the right specialist in your area — a total loss appraiser, a diminished value appraiser, or both.

First Name *

Last Name

Email Address *

We'll send your estimate here. Your information is shared only with vetted specialists in the Claimerly network to follow up on your claim.

Phone (optional)

Only used if a specialist needs to reach you directly.

How did you hear about Claimerly?

Anything else we should know? (optional)

✅ Your Claim Estimate

Here's a summary of what you may be owed based on the information you provided.

💰 Total Estimated Recovery Potential

Total Loss underpayment—

Diminished Value—

Loss of Use—

Combined Estimate—

Your Recommended Next Steps

Invoke the Appraisal Clause (Total Loss)

Most auto policies allow you to demand an independent appraisal when you disagree on value. Results are binding — no attorney needed. Typically resolves in 2–4 weeks.

Get Matched with the Right Specialist

Claimerly will connect you with a vetted appraiser matched to your claim type. Total loss and diminished value require different specialists — we send you the right one.

File with the CDI if the Insurer Stonewalls

The California Department of Insurance's Automobile Claims Mediation Program is free and formal. We'll help you arrive with complete, organized documentation so your case gets taken seriously.

Ready to connect with a specialist?

A Claimerly advisor will review your estimate and reach out within 1 business day to match you with a vetted independent appraiser for your claim type.

✓ Free for consumers · ✓ No obligation · ✓ Specialists matched to your claim type

All estimates are based on industry data, the 17c formula, and the information you provided. They are not a guarantee of recovery. Individual results depend on vehicle specifics, insurer, policy language, and applicable law. Claimerly is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. The 17c formula result is a conservative floor estimate — professional market-based appraisals typically yield higher figures.

Loss of Use · Diminished Value · Self-Serve · No Attorney Needed

Demand Letter Generator

When the other driver was at fault, their insurer owes you for every day you were without your vehicle — and for the permanent drop in your car's resale value. Generate a properly formatted demand letter in minutes, free.

📄

Generate your demand letter

Enter your name and email so we can save your letter and follow up if you need help pursuing your claim.

Your info is shared only with vetted Claimerly specialists to follow up on your claim.

No attorney or appraiser required

Loss of Use and Diminished Value are both calculations you can present yourself. California law entitles you to both — this letter documents your claim using the correct legal standards and gives the adjuster 30 days to respond before escalation.

Third-party claims — available when the other driver was at fault

These claims are against the other driver's insurer. If you were at fault, or this was a single-car accident, Loss of Use and Diminished Value are generally not available through the at-fault insurer. For first-party claims, contact your own insurer directly.

Loss of Use Demand Letter

Letter updates live as you type.

What would you like to demand?

Your Information

Your Full Name *

Your Mailing Address

Phone

Claim Information

Date of Accident *

Claim Number *

Adjuster's Full Name

At-Fault Party's Insurance Company *

Insurance Company Mailing Address

Their Insured (at-fault driver's name)

Loss of Use — Loss Period

Start date: date of the accident (or when vehicle became undrivable). End date: for a total loss, use the date the insurer issued your settlement check. For a repair, use the date your vehicle was returned from the shop.

Vehicle Out of Service From *

Vehicle Returned / Settlement Received *

Enter start and end dates to calculate days

Loss of Use — Replacement Vehicle Rate

Vehicle Class *

Retail Daily Rate ($) *

Adjust if you have an actual quote.

Rental Company for Rate Reference

The letter will cite this company's published rate as support. Attach a screenshot of their quote.

Date of Rental Quote

Loss of Use — Did You Actually Rent?

No — I did without a vehicleYou can still demand loss of use. Your loss of transportation is a real damages item under California law regardless of whether you rented.

Yes — I rented a replacement vehicle

Loss of Use — Prior Payments

Has the insurer paid anything toward loss of use? ($)

Demand Letter Preview

Select a letter type above, fill in your details — your demand letter will appear here live.

Claimerly provides this template for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Review carefully before sending and consult an attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Two free tools to help you fight back.

Claimerly Valuation Tool

Step 1 of 4 — What happened with your vehicle?

My car was totaled and the insurer's offer seems too low

My car was repaired but it's worth less now because of the accident

I was without my car and wasn't properly compensated for that time

I'm not sure — I just want to see if I was underpaid

🚗 Total Loss What did the insurer offer?

📉 Diminished Value What did the repairs cost?

📅 Loss of Use How long were you without your car?

✅ Your Claim Estimate

🚗 Total Loss Underpayment

📉 Diminished Value (17c Formula)

📅 Loss of Use

💰 Total Estimated Recovery Potential

Based on your inputs, you may be entitled to:

Your Recommended Next Steps

Invoke the Appraisal Clause (Total Loss)

Get Matched with the Right Specialist

File with the CDI if the Insurer Stonewalls

Ready to connect with a specialist?

Demand Letter Generator

Generate your demand letter

Loss of Use Demand Letter

Demand Letter Preview