Compare a 17c-Style Baseline with Market Evidence

See every step of a commonly published insurer-style formula, then build a separate worksheet from clean-history and accident-history listings. The two outputs are never averaged into a made-up “answer.”

Leasing your vehicle instead of owning it? The Leased Vehicle Diminished Value calculator runs the same worksheet with a lessee-vs-lessor explainer added first.

The 17c-style result is not your vehicle's legally correct diminished value. It is a comparison reference associated with a historic Georgia class-settlement formula. Georgia's insurance regulator later stated that no formula was approved as determinative. State law, policy terms, claim relationship, and evidence can change what applies.

Build Your Worksheet

1. Baseline inputs

U.S. dollars. Example: 22000. Use a source you can identify.

Optional. Example: pre-loss appraisal dated June 10, 2026.

Whole miles. The formula uses fixed mileage bands shown in the result.

Choose the closest disclosed category; this is not a professional damage classification.

2. Claim context

These facts do not change the formula. They are preserved in your worksheet so its limits stay visible.

Optional. The tool does not apply state law automatically.

3. Clean-history comparable listings

Add up to four similar listings with no disclosed accident history. Two priced listings are required before the worksheet calculates a median gap; three or more provide more context.

Clean-history comp 1
Clean-history comp 2
Clean-history comp 3
Clean-history comp 4

4. Accident-history comparable listings

Add similar listings whose accident history is disclosed. Keep screenshots because listings can change or disappear.

Accident-history comp 1
Accident-history comp 2
Accident-history comp 3
Accident-history comp 4
Educational worksheet, not legal advice or an appraisal. This tool does not decide whether diminished value is recoverable, whether a formula applies, or what amount is owed. Verify claim-specific questions with a qualified professional in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 17c formula?

It's a commonly published diminished-value calculation (a base value cap, a damage-severity multiplier, and a mileage multiplier) that traces back to a 2001–2002 Georgia class-action settlement — not a national or state legal standard. See the full history and limits in the 17c Formula guide.

Is the baseline this tool shows the amount I'm legally owed?

No. This calculator does not decide whether diminished value is recoverable in your state, whether any formula applies to your claim, or what amount an insurer legally owes you. It shows a transparent, disclosed calculation next to separate market evidence so you can compare both — verify claim-specific questions with a qualified professional in your state.

Does my state allow a diminished-value claim?

It depends on whether you're filing against your own insurer (first-party) or an at-fault driver's insurer (third-party) — the rules differ significantly and vary by state. See Does Your State Allow a First-Party Diminished Value Claim? for what's documented.

Why does this tool show two separate numbers instead of one final answer?

The 17c-style baseline and real market evidence measure different things and can disagree significantly. Averaging them would produce a number that represents neither, so this tool always shows both side by side and never blends them.

Is anything I type sent to a server?

No. This calculator runs entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your entries are never transmitted to or stored on any server operated by this site.

I'm leasing my vehicle — does this calculator still apply to me?

The arithmetic is identical, but who typically holds a diminished-value claim on a leased vehicle depends on your lease terms and who's named on your policy, since the leasing company — not the driver — usually holds title. See the Leased Vehicle Diminished Value calculator, which adds a lessee-vs-lessor explainer before the same worksheet.

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