When Ariana ’s car was crushed in an intersection by a reckless driver, she thought surviving the crash would be the hardest part.

 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

 

Instead, what followed was a frustrating crash course in car insurance loopholes, shady appraisers, and a scam that could easily trap any driver struggling to recover from an accident.

A Crash. A Total Loss. And a Tiny Payout.

Ariana's nightmare started the moment another driver — without insurance or even a license — blew through a stop sign and smashed into her vehicle. The good news? She walked away unharmed. The bad news? Her car didn’t.

Worse still, Ariana still owed money on the car loan. When her insurance company finally sent an offer for the totaled vehicle, the number was shockingly low.

 

"It was really a slap in the face," said her sister, Marissa.

 

But Marissa knew something many drivers don’t: In Georgia, accident victims are entitled to a diminished value payout. That means you can receive extra compensation for a car’s lost value after a wreck. Even if the car is repaired or replaced, its history of damage means it won’t sell for as much down the road.

 

That’s where an auto appraiser comes in to calculate that lost value.

Enter the "Appraiser"... And Exit $300

Marissa began searching for a professional who could help with a diminished value claim. That search led her to Drew Brumfield, owner of Atlanta Diminished Value. He promised to handle Ariana’s case for a $300 fee.

 

But once Brumfield cashed the check, things got quiet. Very quiet.

 

Weeks passed. Calls and texts went unanswered. Promises fell flat. And the red flags kept piling up.

 

Feeling uneasy, Marissa ran a quick online search. What she found was damning — a trail of complaints from other customers with the exact same story: Brumfield would take their money... then disappear.

That’s when they called TrustDALE.

Busted: What TrustDALE Uncovered

The TrustDALE team dug deeper — and what they uncovered was shocking:

  • Brumfield’s business didn’t have a license.
  • His insurance agent license had been revoked... all the way back in 2009.
  • Dozens of online reviews accused him of pocketing payments without delivering reports.

To prove it wasn’t just talk, the TrustDALE team staged a sting operation, posing as a customer needing an appraisal. Brumfield quickly set up a meeting... for a fee, of course.

 

When confronted by TrustDALE’s Dale Cardwell, Brumfield denied wrongdoing. But not long afterward, police ordered him to pay back two of his victims and shut down his business for good.

How to Protect Yourself From Diminished Value Scams

Unfortunately, Ariana’s story isn’t rare. Scams like this thrive because most people don’t know how diminished value claims work or how to vet a real appraiser.

 

Here’s what every Georgia driver should know before hiring an appraiser:

1. Verify Licenses. Check the business license with the Georgia Secretary of State website. It’s free and easy.

2. Search for Reviews. Look up the company on Google, Yelp, BBB, or TrustDALE.com. Patterns of complaints are a major red flag.

3. Be Smart About Payment. Never pay the full fee upfront. A small deposit may be reasonable, but hold the final payment until the report is in your hands.

4. Beware of Big Promises. Any guarantee of a large payout should make you pause. A good appraiser provides an estimate — not empty hype.

Bottom Line

Diminished value claims can absolutely help Georgia drivers recover more money after a wreck — but only if you hire the right expert.

Before trusting anyone with your hard-earned cash, do your homework. In the case of an appraisal after a car wreck, it could just save you from another crash.