The repair was perfect. Your car is still worth thousands less than it was before the accident — and if the other driver was at fault, their insurer owes you that difference. We handle the appraisal, the paperwork, and the insurance fight, so you get what you’re actually owed.
From the first appraisal to a negotiated settlement — the 4-step Claim Protocol.
We check the accident date, fault, and vehicle against Pennsylvania's rules before you spend a dime.
We submit the appraisal and proof-of-loss to the at-fault insurer, with delivery confirmation and a firm demand.
I-CAR certified technicians use advanced equipment to restore your vehicle’s integrity and body panels.
Most claims settle. If a carrier won't pay fairly, we hand a ready-to-file case to a local attorney.
Diminished value is the loss in market value a vehicle suffers after an accident — even once it’s been fully and properly repaired. The accident lives permanently on Carfax and AutoCheck, and a car with a damage history simply sells for less than an identical one with a clean record.
Pennsylvania courts have recognized post-repair loss of value since Holt v. Pariser — as a third-party claim against the at-fault driver's insurer.
Pennsylvania's statute of limitations for property damage is two years from the accident date. The sooner you start, the stronger the evidence.
The case review is free, and you don't pay to find out what your claim is worth. Independent, not insurer-directed.
Our certifications, awards, and partnerships reflect our commitment to the highest standards of auto body repair in Philadelphia.
In Pennsylvania, yes — when the claim is made against the right policy. The at-fault driver’s liability insurer owes you that loss, though insurers aren’t required to offer it upfront. It’s only paid when it’s claimed, documented and defended. Your own policy is different: Pennsylvania’s standard auto coverage does not pay diminished value under collision or uninsured-motorist coverage.
Being in an accident doesn't automatically mean you have a claim. Whether you qualify depends on fault, timing, and the vehicle itself.
Usually doesn’t qualify: claims where you were at fault, claims against your own collision coverage, or an uninsured at-fault driver. Leased and financed vehicles can still qualify.
A simple, transparent process from the first phone call to a settled claim.
Free Case Review
Send us the accident date, vehicle, and repair cost. We tell you honestly if you have a claim.
Appraisal & Documentation
We establish pre-accident value and document the damage, repair quality, and market comparison.
Formal Demand
We submit the appraisal to the at-fault insurer with a firm demand and a dated delivery record.
Negotiated Settlement
We counter lowball offers with evidence. If needed, we refer you to an attorney with a ready file.
of vehicles are damaged in U.S. accidents every year — nearly all repaired, not totaled, and every one loses value.
say they won't pay full price for a vehicle with an accident on its history report.
typical diminished value recovery for Pennsylvania drivers we help.
recovered for Nigro's customers to date; average recovery $4,750.
If you've been in an accident and suspect your car is worth less than it was — it almost certainly is. Start with a credible appraisal from a shop that understands both collision repair and the market; no online calculator can replace it. From there, the claim goes to the responsible party's insurer, and negotiation follows. Court is the last resort, and with proper documentation it's rarely needed.
Nigro's Auto Body has been repairing collision damage on Washington Avenue since 1983. We've seen too many customers accept "we don't pay that" from an adjuster and walk away from money they were owed.
Your Questions, Answered
A claim for the difference between what your car was worth before an accident and what it’s worth afterwards, even after a complete repair. In Pennsylvania, the at-fault driver’s insurer is responsible for that loss.
Yes, if another driver was at fault. Pennsylvania recognizes diminished value as recoverable property damage in a third-party claim. You generally cannot recover it from your own collision or uninsured-motorist coverage.
Two years from the date of the accident under Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for property damage. The sooner you start, the stronger the evidence.
It depends on the vehicle’s pre-accident value, age and mileage, and the severity of the repair. Many Philadelphia drivers recover between $3,000 and $8,000.
No. It’s a common line, and it’s not accurate for third-party claims. Insurers aren’t required to offer it — you have to claim it, with documentation.
Usually not. Most claims settle with a solid appraisal and a firm demand. If a carrier stonewalls, we refer you to a local attorney with everything they need.
No. We can appraise a vehicle repaired elsewhere. If we did repair it, we already hold the photos, estimates and parts records, which strengthens the file.
The case review is free.
Have a Question? We’re Here to Help.
info@nigrosautobody.com
215 925 4520
939 Washington Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19147
Operating Hours
We are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The shop remains closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
