Can I Claim Depreciation Costs for a Rear-End Collision?

[IsabelRose]

Compensation for car accidents generally does not include depreciation costs. Below is a detailed explanation regarding rear-end collisions: 1. Liability Issues: If your car is rear-ended, the other party is fully responsible. You can directly claim compensation from the other party's insurance company using the accident responsibility determination certificate issued by the traffic police, along with the repair cost invoices. This falls under the property loss compensation of compulsory traffic insurance. If both parties cannot reach an agreement on compensation, you can directly sue the other party and their insurance company. 2. Compensation the Other Party Should Provide: In the event of a rear-end collision where the other party is fully at fault, besides claiming repair costs, you can also request compensation for vehicle depreciation and loss of income. For these additional affected expenses, you can demand compensation from the other party.

[StDallas]

Last time my car got rear-ended, I was pretty nervous and later specifically looked into the matter of depreciation costs. Simply put, depreciation cost refers to the loss in value of the car after an accident—for example, a new car suddenly losing tens of thousands in value. But can you claim it back? During insurance claims, most companies only cover repair costs and exclude depreciation. You can try negotiating with the other party or hiring a lawyer to prove the accident caused a drop in value, such as obtaining a professional appraisal report showing the car’s market price has fallen. However, such claims are complicated and have a low success rate, especially if the car is older—the other party’s insurance might outright refuse. My advice is to first repair the car to ensure safety, then use the traffic police accident report and documented evidence to pursue compensation, but don’t get your hopes up too much. In reality, most people settle for repair compensation and leave it at that.

[MasonRose]

After a rear-end collision, let me clarify the issue of depreciation compensation. The accident will indeed cause your vehicle to depreciate, but whether you can claim compensation depends on negotiations with the other party's insurance company. In the standard process, the insurance company covers repair costs, but you'll need to prove additional depreciation losses yourself, such as by obtaining a value change report from an appraiser. If the other party's liability is clear, you can directly demand compensation for the price difference, but in reality, many people don't bother because insufficient evidence makes it easy for the other party to evade responsibility. Personally, I think if it's a new or high-end car with significant damage, it's worth actively negotiating for some compensation; for older cars, it's probably not worth the effort. Don't forget to file a police report and gather evidence, but prioritize getting your car repaired safely first.

[StCollin]

Claiming depreciation costs isn't that straightforward. While a vehicle's value may indeed drop after an accident, whether you can recover this amount depends on specific circumstances. Firstly, most insurance policies only cover actual damages, not indirect losses like depreciation. You'll need to prove liability and quantify losses to pursue additional compensation, potentially requiring legal intervention such as court rulings. Evidence must include pre- and post-accident valuation reports, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. From cases I've seen, new car owners occasionally succeed, while used car claims often prove futile. Focus on repairs first—don't let minor issues escalate into major problems.

[VanCarmen]

I understand the frustration of having your car depreciated after a collision. Depreciation compensation refers to the portion of the vehicle's value lost due to the accident, and whether you can claim it depends on several factors. Typically, insurance doesn't cover this, so you can only try negotiation or litigation. You'll need to gather evidence proving the depreciation, such as a professional appraiser's report comparing the car's value before and after the accident. The success rate is low unless it's a new car with severe damage. My advice is to focus on repairs first and ensure the insurance claim is well-documented. Don't obsess over depreciation—practicing safe driving to prevent rear-end collisions is the real solution.