Identify the vehicle and the relevant dates
Start with the VIN, year, make, model, trim, major options, date of loss, mileage at the loss and current mileage. A registration, window sticker or build sheet can help resolve equipment differences. If the vehicle changed hands or accumulated substantial mileage after repair, note when that happened rather than treating today's condition as the pre-loss condition.
Keep the entire repair history together
Send the first estimate, every supplement, the final itemized repair invoice and any documented scan, calibration or structural measurement reports. Those records explain the actual repair scope more reliably than the initial estimate alone. Include the repair facility's completion date and any work that remains open.
| Evidence | Question it helps answer |
|---|---|
| Pre-loss records | What was the vehicle's condition, mileage and prior accident history? |
| Damage photographs | Which areas were affected before repairs or teardown? |
| Estimate, supplements and invoice | What work was proposed, added and ultimately completed? |
| Post-repair photos and records | What is the documented condition after the work? |
| Vehicle and market details | Which trim, options and local comparisons are relevant? |
Describe prior history accurately
Prior damage or repairs can affect the analysis. Disclose what you know and provide the related records if available. Do not assume that every repair line has the same effect on resale value, or that the entire difference between two asking prices is caused by one accident. A defensible appraisal needs to separate the collision at issue from age, mileage, condition and earlier history.
What a market review should explain
Useful support may include dated listings, actual market observations, vehicle-history information and an explanation of differences in trim, mileage, condition and repair history. Listings are asking prices, not completed sales. An appraiser should state the sources, assumptions and limits of the conclusion rather than apply an unexplained percentage to the repair bill.
The VIN, loss date, mileage and final repair paperwork are a useful first submission. TrueAuto can tell you which missing records would materially improve a vehicle-specific review.
Before you submit
Check the claim and policy context for your state, then send the documents you have through the claim intake. Whether a claim is available or supportable depends on the facts and applicable rules. A preliminary review is not a completed appraisal or a guaranteed recovery.
Educational information only. The facts, policy language and applicable rules can change the analysis. This is not a valuation, coverage decision or legal advice.
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