Start with the vehicle being valued
Before collecting listings, confirm the year, make, model, trim, drivetrain, body style, VIN, options and mileage in the insurer’s report. Compare those details with the window sticker, registration, photos and service records where available. If the starting vehicle profile is wrong, even carefully chosen listings can lead to a misleading comparison.
Record the same facts for every listing
A useful comparison is one another reader can retrace. Keep a copy or dated screenshot of each listing and note:
| Field | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Source | Dealer name, location, contact details, listing link and date checked. |
| Vehicle | VIN where shown, model year, trim, drivetrain, body style and major equipment. |
| Mileage and condition | Odometer, disclosed damage or history, and visible condition differences. |
| Price and status | Asking price, required add-ons or stated fees, and whether the vehicle is still available. |
| Market area | Distance from the relevant market and why a wider radius was needed, if used. |
Explain the differences instead of averaging blindly
Check whether the report treats mileage, equipment and condition consistently across its comparables. A higher asking price does not automatically establish the pre-loss value of the subject vehicle. Likewise, a lower-priced listing may have a different trim, damage history or mileage. Identify each material difference, show the source, and explain the direction of any adjustment. Do not turn an unsupported estimate into a precise dollar claim.
Say how far the search expanded and why. A transparent wider-radius comparison can be more useful than a close listing that is materially different.
Before sending your report
Keep the insurer’s valuation, your vehicle documents, the dated listings and a concise list of disputed line items together. Availability and asking prices change, so record when each source was checked. TrueAuto can screen the file and explain which differences appear supportable for an independent review.
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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