Accident report Duration: How long does it take to prepare the report?

• Processing time of an accident report: As a rule, the total processing time is 5 to 10 days, but may vary depending on the amount of claim, type of accident and workload on the appraiser.
• Most important steps: The most important steps in the process are quickly hiring a motor vehicle expert, inspecting the vehicle after making an appointment, calculating the amount of damage and then preparing the report.
• Avoid delays: Delays can be avoided by taking simple steps: quick appointment of an expert, detailed documentation of the accident and continuous and rapid communication with the insurance company.
• Reimbursement of costs: The cost of Motor vehicle report are usually covered by the insurance of the person responsible for the accident in the event of liability damage.

What is an accident report?

An expert opinion in the event of an accident is good for recording all damage caused by the traffic accident. This report is carried out by a motor vehicle appraiser who determines the amount of damage, repair costs, residual value or determines the replacement value in the event of a total loss. It can also be determined which vehicle is to blame for the accident.

This Motor vehicle report is the basis with which insurance companies carry out claims settlement and is therefore of great importance for the injured party and his compensation. The expert also clarifies when several parties are involved in the accident and the liability issue needs to be clarified. This is an important issue for insurance.

When is a motor vehicle report necessary?

An appraiser can provide clarity in many cases, for example when it comes to guilt questions.

Extent of accident

In principle, a motor vehicle report is only necessary if it involves more than minor damage. Minor damage is damage of less than around 750 euros, for example a scratch in the paint or a dent, for which a cost estimate from a workshop is sufficient. If the amount of damage exceeds this amount, an accident expert should be commissioned.

An expert opinion may also be necessary if, for example, structural damage only occurs after a certain period of time. Even then, an expert opinion should be carried out on the car.

Unclear course of the accident

If the traffic accident is ambiguous, an expert will help with the accident reconstruction. As part of the report, an accident analyst can therefore understand the course of the accident and determine the legal situation. Such an opinion is considered in court as evidence to determine the culprit. The reconstruction can also be good for identifying possible accidental damage that is not apparent at first glance.

Doubts about the opposing insurance

It may be that the opposing insurance company tries to downplay the damage caused or even refuses to pay. In such a case, an independent motor vehicle expert can provide clarity and help the injured party with his rights. It is important that the injured party does not rely on the perpetrator's expert, but knows that he can hire his own expert.

Who pays for the report?

The person responsible for the accident (or their insurance company)

As a rule, the liability insurance of the person responsible for the accident pays the costs of the motor vehicle report, this applies when the question of guilt has been clearly clarified and it involves more than minor damage, i.e. if the amount of the damage exceeds 750 euros. In this case, the insurance company not only covers the costs of the car appraiser, but also additional costs such as repair costs or loss of use.

Disputed amount of damage

If the amount of damage is unclear, you have the right to hire your own expert. As long as the report is appropriate, the opposing insurance company must cover the costs again. However, if the damage is below the small claims limit, the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident may refuse the appraisal costs, as a cost estimate from a workshop would be sufficient in this case.

What happens in case of partial debt

If there is a partial debt, the debt ratio must first be determined. This determines how much debt each party bears. When the quota is fixed, the parties to the accident each assume the corresponding credit costs. In such a case, the partial costs must also be borne by yourself, depending on the size of the partial debt. Here, it is advisable to seek legal support from the outset in order to avoid misunderstandings and to clearly regulate the distribution of costs.

What happens in case of self-indebtedness

In the event of a self-caused car accident, the costs of the report must be borne by yourself. In the case of partial or fully comprehensive insurance, a part may be covered, but this depends on the type of contract individually. A self-inflicted car accident can also lead to an increase in the insurance premium.

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How much does an accident inspector cost?

Dependence on various factors

The amount of costs of an expert opinion depends, among other things, on the amount of damage and the complexity of the claim. If an accident is more complicated and an accident reconstruction is necessary, the costs to determine the extent become higher. The costs are therefore usually between 300 and 1000 euros.

Cost example

Minor damage (damage below 750 euros): No expert opinion is required

Vehicle damage of between 750 and 2000 euros: Appraisal costs around 300 and 500 euros

Vehicle damage over 2000 euros: Appraisal costs around 500 and 1000 euros or more

When does the injured party have to bear the costs himself?

If the motor vehicle report is classified as unnecessary or superfluous, but the injured party still wants to hire an expert, he must pay the costs himself or take action against the insurance company in court.

What to do if the insurance does not pay?

denial

It may be that the motor liability insurance of the person responsible for the accident refuses to pay the expert's costs. The question is, who pays the appraiser?

As already mentioned above, the insurance company may classify the damage report as unnecessary or too expensive and refuse to bear the costs as a result. In such a case, you should not be unsettled and have the legal situation examined in court.

Legal assistance

As an injured party, you can make use of the expertise of a lawyer.

As a rule, a letter from the lawyer to the perpetrator's insurance company is sufficient that they bear the costs of the report. In the event that this does not help, the lawyer can also initiate legal proceedings.

Judicial clarification

If the insurance company continues to refuse to pay the expert's fee, the court must decide. With the help of a lawyer, it is decided who has to pay the expert fees.

It is carefully checked whether the costs of the report are justified and whether the insurance of the person responsible for the accident must bear them. If a decision is made, the insurance company may have to cover other accident costs, such as repair costs and attorneys' fees, in addition to the expert's costs.

However, such legal proceedings are very time-consuming and require very detailed documentation of the circumstances and the damage caused by the accident.

The right procedure after an accident: What needs to be considered?

Accident recording

As soon as the accident has happened and the initial shock is over, it is important to keep calm and get an overview.

The first important step is to secure evidence, including photos of the scene of the accident, the damage to the car and any traces of the accident vehicle on the road. In addition, the contact details of all accident participants and witnesses must be exchanged urgently.

It can also be helpful to create a sketch of the accident location in order to be able to better understand the course of the accident.

Reporting to insurance companies

Next, your own insurance company and that of the driver of the other vehicle must be informed of the traffic accident. You should act as quickly as possible to avoid delays. The insurance company should receive all relevant information, such as the location of the accident, time and a description of the course of events. Liability insurance then initiates further proceedings, which may ask for evidence, such as photos of the scene of the accident.

Hiring a car appraiser

In the next step, a car appraiser is commissioned to determine the damage caused to the car. It is important that you can hire your own expert, who acts independently and looks at the traffic accident from an objective position. This ensures that the damage is assessed fairly without the opposing party having any influence.

Claims settlement

As a rule, the liability insurance of the person responsible for the accident now pays the car appraiser, repair costs and other expenses such as car rental costs. You should carefully collect all receipts and receipts to make sure that everything is reimbursed in full.

Vehicle repair

After the claim has been settled, the accident vehicle can be brought to the workshop for repair. Based on the report, the costs of the workshop are settled directly with the insurance company.

conclusion

The question “Who pays the appraiser?” There is no uniform answer.

In most cases, the liability insurance of the person responsible for the accident covers the costs of the report as long as the question of guilt is clear. This can be assessed yourself on the basis of the report, as it comprehensively documents and assesses all damage.

In the event of disagreements about the amount of damage and assumption of expert costs, legal clarification is possible. As an injured party, it is important that you know and enforce your rights, just like your own expert. If in doubt, you should seek legal support to exploit all options.

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