Paperwork from the insurer
- The complete written valuation report (not just a summary letter) — comparables and adjustments included.
- The claim number, adjuster name, and all written correspondence, dated.
- Any repair estimate or damage assessment provided.
- Your policy's declarations page and full policy document (for coverage limits, deductibles, and the appraisal clause's exact wording).
Your own vehicle records
- Title, registration, and VIN.
- Recent service/maintenance records (useful for verifying mileage and condition).
- Photos of the vehicle's condition and any factory options, ideally from before the accident.
- Purchase records if relevant (not for arguing ACV directly, but for your own reference).
Market evidence you gather
- Comparable vehicle listings: URL, date checked, price, mileage, trim, distance, and dealer vs. private-party status for each.
- For a diminished-value claim: separate clean-history and accident-history comparable groups (see building market evidence).
- Screenshots of any listing you rely on, in case it's removed later.
If you're pursuing a diminished-value claim specifically
- Documentation of the completed repair (invoice, parts used, shop name).
- A vehicle-history report (Carfax/AutoCheck-style) showing the accident is now on record.
- Any independent appraisal you've obtained, if applicable.
Put it to work
Once you've gathered this, the Total-Loss Offer Audit, Diminished Value Baseline, and Settlement Check Breakdown calculators turn it into organized statistics and arithmetic, and the Claim Letter Builder turns your findings into an editable written request.
What this guide cannot tell you
It cannot tell you exactly what evidence your specific insurer or state process requires — this is a general starting checklist, not a guarantee of what will be accepted or needed for your claim.