
Car
2016-09-07
Vehicle Depreciation
What does depreciation on my vehicle mean? Depreciation is the decline in a car's value over the course of its useful life. Certain parts on your vehicle have a "life expectancy" so the value of the part being repaired is currently less than the new replacement part. Insurance companies in Hong Kong normally take this into consideration. Once the insurance company repairs the vehicle, they state that they are reinstating it to a better condition than before the accident; this approach is accepted practice in the Hong Kong legal system. To account for this improved condition, there needs to be a depreciation adjustment. For example, Motor Vehicle Insurance companies in Hong Kong will include policy terms stating that they are not liable for the following clauses in the event of Vehicle Own-Damage: depreciation (betterment), wear and tear, mechanical or electrical breakdown, failure or breakage; damage to tyres unless damage is caused to other parts of the vehicle at the same time; and any excess applicable in the accident. The amount of depreciation and/or betterment will be assessed by the insurance company’s appointed surveyor on any part of the vehicle for the costs of repairing or replacement.








