Being one of the first number of lawyers to handle diminished value claims I think property damage to hybrid cars will command much higher depreciation of value than fully gas powered cars.

This is since the hybrid and electric car market is now hot and will continue to become so as there is even a waiting period to order Toyota’s Prius.

There could also be a number of good claims for loss of use since the waiting period to order the Prius line is reported to be at 2 to 3 months. Having handled two Prius diminished cases recently its really important to use a diminished value appraiser who has direct experience with the hybrid valuation market.

When high end luxury cars like Mercedes, Jaguar, Lexus, BMW, Cadillac get property damage in a car accident that is the fault of the other driver you can get a much higher recovery on your diminished value case if its handled right. You can get a much higher diminished value award on cars like Jaguars, Lexus, BMW because they have a much higher trade in value and the depreciation is lower as well compared to most standard cars.

Handling your diminished value claim right with high end luxury car diminished value claims means using an experienced diminished value appraiser who will physically inspect your car.
They appraiser should be experienced and should have arbitration and trial experience. Since many insurance companies use the assumption that diminished value claims don’t even exist I recommend you start your diminished value claim out strong and begin by consulting with an injury and diminished value lawyer like me.

You can get money for a diminished value on a leased car, but its not really a diminished value claim.

It is an out of pocket property damage leasehold loss. If your car is damaged by a third party you may get less money and charged with the diminished value when you turn the car back into the car company who leased your car. If you have the car appraised by a diminished value appraiser and then turn the car in whatever the owner takes off because of the damage would be the amount you could recover.

I recommend you consult a lawyer before you get the car appraiser on board because the appraiser will need to evaluate what the leasing company will ding you plus the diminished value evaluation.