The 17c formula is broken — and your settlement offer reflects it.
State Farm and most insurance carriers rely on a 23-year-old class-action shortcut to lowball diminished value claims by thousands of dollars. Here's what 17c actually is, why it doesn't apply to you, and what to do about it.
"The Georgia Insurance Department does NOT endorse 17c."
— Directive from the Georgia Insurance Commissioner
Five things 17c gets wrong
The formula was a 2001 administrative compromise for a single class action. Here's why it shouldn't determine your settlement.
The 10% cap is arbitrary
17c assumes no vehicle — Kia or Rolls-Royce — can lose more than 10% of value, with no data to support it.
Mileage is penalized twice
NADA already adjusts for mileage. Then 17c multiplies again, sometimes cutting your loss to less than half.
It caps at 100,000 miles
According to 17c, a vehicle with 101,000 miles can no longer lose value. Tell that to the used-car market.
It ignores most damage types
Flood, fire, bumper damage, airbag deployment, and CARFAX history aren't factored in at all.
NADA doesn't recognize DV
NADA itself states there's no data to support a precise value loss for damage. The source data isn't there.
The result?
A typical 17c offer is $500–$1,200. A real appraisal often shows $3,000–$5,000+ in actual loss.
What's your 17c offer worth?
Run the same formula your insurance carrier uses — then see why it's almost certainly understating your loss.
Open the 17c CalculatorNeed a real appraisal?
17c can be defeated, but only with a professional appraisal that rebuts it directly. Pick the path that fits your situation.
Diminished Value of Georgia
Licensed Georgia appraiser specializing in DV claims. Field appraisals $425, desk appraisals $275. Vehicles 10 years old or newer.
Get a DV Appraisal → Nationwide · All Appraisal TypesAppraisal Engine
Total loss disputes, repair audits, pre-purchase inspections, and out-of-state diminished value claims. Nationwide coverage.
All Other Appraisals →Don't accept the 17c number.
Request your free 17c rebuttal letter — a written breakdown you can send to the insurance company to challenge their valuation.
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