ah...happened to me .
i borrowed a dewalt laser lever from a friend..... i put it on a finished wall corner (magnet hits the steel corner bead)
forgot it was there and hit it walking by.....crash .....the glass where the laser lines fly out breaks.
1. the value of the item was 160.
2. the current value was the same.
3. dont know what he paid...
solution...without telling him before i gave it back it i went and bought the exact same model and gave it to him in return instead (funny enough on sale for 140)
i kept the the damaged one for myself as it still works but no glass. he was cool with it.
this is a simple situation.
...
now, if someone breaks or damages something that's a one of kind....say for instance a very rare and expensive guitar....
1. the value of new doesnt apply as you cant replace it
2. the current value of said guitar is say....3000 or so? (just random number)
3. if the guitar was inherited then i paid nothing.
point is it depends on the item and what the owner feels is the proper compensation they deserve.
....
shit, that sounds like a newman "cut the bike in half rant"