Small claims · TN
Tennessee small claims court for diminished value claims
In Tennessee, small claims cases are heard in General Sessions Court (handles small claims; Tennessee has no separate small claims court), which handles claims up to $25,000. If an insurer will not pay a diminished value claim and the amount is within the limit, this is where an owner can sue the at-fault driver. You bring the evidence, and the judge decides.
Court
General Sessions Court (handles small claims; Tennessee has no separate small claims court)
Claim limit
$25,000
Attorneys
Allowed, not required
Deadline to sue
3 years
Tennessee courts
How small claims court works in Tennessee
- Claim limit
- $25,000. The $25,000 civil limit applies in all counties; attorney's fees, court costs and discretionary costs are not counted toward it. General Sessions jurisdiction otherwise varies by county under state law and private acts. Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-501, as summarized by the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS-495).
- Attorneys
- Lawyers are allowed but not required; the court guidelines endorsed by the Tennessee Supreme Court say that if you do not have a lawyer you can speak for yourself.
- Filing fee
- Set by the court and often by county. Check the court’s fee schedule before you file.
- Appeals
- Either side has 10 days to appeal to the Circuit Court, where the case is tried again from the beginning (de novo).
Who you sue
Ask the General Sessions Court (handles small claims; Tennessee has no separate small claims court) clerk how to name the defendant. In most states that is the at-fault driver, not the insurance company.
Diminished value law in Tennessee
A claim against the at-fault driver in Tennessee: limited. The general deadline to sue for vehicle property damage is 3 years (Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105(1)). The cases and statutes are on the Tennessee diminished value page.
What to bring
See using an appraisal in small claims court for the evidence list and what to ask the General Sessions Court (handles small claims; Tennessee has no separate small claims court) clerk.
Sources
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-501, as summarized by the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS-495)
- Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts: Self Help Center (Small Claims section and General Sessions guidelines)
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105(1)
Researched October 11, 2026. General information from an appraisal perspective, not legal advice.
Evidence
An appraisal for a Tennessee claim
A Tennessee diminished-value appraisal is typically $250–$350 and comes with a custom demand letter. Autoloss is not a law firm and does not represent you in court.
Tennessee small claims questions
What is the small claims limit in Tennessee?
$25,000 in General Sessions Court (handles small claims; Tennessee has no separate small claims court). The $25,000 civil limit applies in all counties; attorney's fees, court costs and discretionary costs are not counted toward it. General Sessions jurisdiction otherwise varies by county under state law and private acts.
Do I need a lawyer for small claims court in Tennessee?
Lawyers are allowed but not required; the court guidelines endorsed by the Tennessee Supreme Court say that if you do not have a lawyer you can speak for yourself.
How long do I have to sue in Tennessee?
Tennessee generally allows 3 years to sue for vehicle property damage (Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-105(1)). Talking with the insurer does not pause the deadline.
Can a Tennessee small claims decision be appealed?
Either side has 10 days to appeal to the Circuit Court, where the case is tried again from the beginning (de novo).
Taking a Tennessee claim to court?
The claim review is free: we look at your situation and tell you whether an appraisal is likely to help. The appraisal itself is a paid report. We help from start to finish, including a custom demand letter, and our support staff is a phone call away throughout the process.