About DentedValue
DentedValue is an independent California consumer guide for regular drivers dealing with car damage after a crash. We explain things like diminished value, loss of use, total-loss offers, demand letters, and small claims court in plain English.
What we do
- Explain the rules in plain words. Each guide links to the official sources it relies on (California codes, the Judicial Council's jury instructions, Department of Insurance regulations, and the California Courts self-help site) so you can read them yourself.
- Give you tools you can use on your own, like a fill-in demand letter template.
- Keep it current. Each guide shows when it was last reviewed. A way to send us corrections is coming soon on the contact page.
What we don't do
- We are not a law firm and don't provide legal services or legal advice.
- We don't represent anyone, take cases, or refer people to lawyers.
- Reading this site doesn't create an attorney-client relationship. See the disclaimer.
How the site is funded
Some pages may include affiliate links, for example to diminished-value appraisal services. If you buy through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. That never changes what the guides say about the law. See our affiliate disclosure.
Who runs DentedValue
DentedValue is an independent California consumer guide to car damage after a crash. It isn't a law firm, it doesn't promote any law firm, and no law firm or insurance company pays for what we publish.
Everything here is general legal information, not legal advice. Each guide cites the California statutes and official sources it relies on, so you can check them yourself.