Has Your Car Been in an Accident in Tennessee? You Might Be Entitled to More Than Just Repairs

May 20, 2025

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Has Your Car Been in an Accident in Tennessee? You Might Be Entitled to More Than Just Repairs

Even a minor accident can leave a lasting impact on your car’s value. As a driver in Tennessee, you might be surprised to learn that, even after professional repairs, your vehicle may be worth significantly less than it was before the accident. This difference in value is known as Diminished Value. If you were not at-fault in the accident, you may be eligible for compensation.

Understanding Diminished Value

There are two types of diminished value:

Immediate (Inherent): The loss in value right after the damage occurs.
Post-Repair (Residual): The loss that remains even after repairs are completed.

Diminished Value refers to the reduction in a vehicle’s market value after it has been involved in an accident. Even if your vehicle looks and drives like new, the fact that it has a repair history can lower its resale or trade-in value. Dealerships and buyers often factor this into what they’re willing to pay—regardless of how great the repairs look.

For example, if you were rear-ended by someone at a stoplight, your car, now damaged, needs to be repaired. You report it to your insurance company, and that creates a record of an accident that will show up on a Carfax report. This alone, even if your car was repaired perfectly, diminishes its value. It is worth less now because it was in an accident. Whether you sell it or trade it down the road, the amount you’re offered will be less than it would have been had it never been in an accident. This amount could be thousands of dollars that the insurance company should, but often does not, account for in your settlement. The amount the insurance offers should be the cost of repairs + the loss in value.

Can You File a Claim?

In Tennessee, you can file a Diminished Value claim if the accident wasn’t your fault and it occurred within the last three years. That means if another driver caused the accident, you could be entitled to additional compensation—even after your car is fixed.

Unfortunately, this isn’t something most drivers are told. And it’s not something insurance companies often bring up on their own.

Why It Matters

Some insurance adjusters may suggest that a properly repaired vehicle is just as valuable as it was before the accident. But if you ask a dealership, you’ll likely hear a different story. Vehicles with an accident history—no matter how minor—often receive lower offers.

In some cases, insurance companies even train their representatives to steer customers away from filing Diminished Value claims. That’s why having the right support and documentation is so important.

How a Professional Appraisal Can Help

If you plan to file a claim for diminished value, the burden of proof lies with you. You will need to hire an independent car appraiser, such as Auto Appraisal Network of Nashville, to get an unbiased assessment of the loss you took as a result of the accident. A certified Diminished Value appraisal gives you an objective, third-party report of your vehicle’s actual post-repair value. This documentation can make all the difference when filing your claim, helping to strengthen your case and prevent unfairly low payouts.

Many people don’t realize what they’ve lost until they try to sell or trade in their car. By then, it’s often too late to take action. That’s why it’s wise to address Diminished Value as soon as possible.

Why Work With Auto Appraisal Network of Nashville?

At Auto Appraisal Network of Nashville, we specialize in Diminished Value reports that are clear, thorough, and professionally prepared. Whether you drive a daily vehicle, a high-end luxury car, or a custom build, our certified appraisers are here to help you understand your car’s post-accident value—and support your claim with confidence.

We know how the process works and what insurance companies look for, and we’re committed to helping you receive the fair compensation you deserve.

Don’t Miss Out on What You’re Owed

If you’ve been in an accident and weren’t at fault, your vehicle’s value may have quietly dropped—sometimes by thousands of dollars. A proper repair job may restore your car’s appearance, but not necessarily its market value.

Let Auto Appraisal Network of Nashville help you uncover the loss and provide the documentation you need to pursue a strong Diminished Value claim.

Reach out today to find out how much your car’s value may have changed—and how we can help you recover what’s rightfully yours. If we think the insurance paid a fair amount, we’ll tell you, so that you don’t waste time or money.

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Auto Appraisal Network of Nashville specializes in appraisals for classic, custom and collector vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUV's, motorcycles, boats and personal watercraft. We do appraisals for insurance policies and claims, such as diminished value and total loss, probate, bankruptcy, divorce, financing, fair market value and pre-purchase inspections.

Our appraisals are certified and accepted by the legal system, insurance companies and financial institutions. When you need an accurate, fair assessment of the value of your ride, you need Auto Appraisal Network of Nashville. Call (629) 272-3131 to schedule your appraisal today.

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Has Your Car Been in an Accident in Tennessee? You Might Be Entitled to More Than Just Repairs