Cost estimate or car report

• Report or cost estimate: These two procedures differ in price and scope. In different situations, there is more or less demand and you have to choose one.
• Minor limit: This important figure is a limit that distinguishes the amount of damage from accidents, it is 750 euros and is decisive for the choice between an expert opinion or a cost estimate.
• insurance: In complex and serious cases, insurance requires an expert opinion to enforce its claim.

What do I need and when?

As a vehicle owner, when you get involved in a car accident, the shock is huge for now. When the first moment is over, the question is what happens now? Anyone who is already one step ahead knows that the question is: Cost estimate or report?

These two documents play a very important role in settling claims. It is therefore important to understand which document is required in which situation and what differences there are between the two. Deciding whether to opt for Motor vehicle report or the cost estimate depends on various factors, including the amount of damage, the complexity of the accident and also the question of guilt.

In order to clarify all these questions and help with decision-making, the following article covers the most important questions, what is a cost estimate and an expert opinion anyway, what benefits do they bring, when do you need what and what should you pay attention to.

With this article, you are well prepared for the question of whether you need a car report or cost estimate.

What is a cost estimate?

A cost estimate is a report estimated by a car repair shop on the cost of repairing the accident damage. The workshop will examine the vehicle and the visible damage and then provide an estimate. A cost estimate is usually very quick and easy to prepare.

Content components of a cost estimate

So that the total costs of the claim can be calculated, the cost estimate contains the following information:

• repair work: This section lists what work must be done to repair the vehicle again.
• Cost of individual parts: The prices of the required individual parts are listed here.
• working time: The estimated working time is also listed here.
• Total costs: At the end, the individual points are added up and you get the total amount of damage.

This calculation of the cost estimate takes place before the actual repair. Since this is only an estimate, this means that the actual costs of the repair may differ from the cost estimate.

Benefits of a cost estimate

A cost estimate has several advantages that simplify the process after an accident.

• costs: A cost estimate has a very low cost and can also sometimes be free of charge, especially if the repair is carried out in the same workshop
• Preparation: A cost estimate is quick and takes very little time, it can often be prepared the same day
• Sufficient: A cost estimate is sufficient for minor damage, i.e. damage below 750 euros, which simplifies the process.

What is an expert opinion?

A motor vehicle appraisal is carried out by a motor vehicle expert or a motor vehicle appraiser and includes much more than the repair costs. It is very detailed and is necessary when it comes to complicated or major damage that requires a lot of information to clarify the situation.

Content components of an expert opinion

The typical components that are included in the report by the automotive expert are the following:

• Level of damage: The appraiser examines the vehicle and finds both external damage and technical defects that occur during a detailed inspection.
• photos: Any damage is documented with photos.
• Course of accident: The expert is able to reconstruct the accident on the basis of the damage in order to find out the fault of the person who caused the accident.
• repair costs: The repair costs are also calculated here.
• Depreciation: As a result of an accident, a vehicle can still lose value after repair; this depreciation is also determined by the motor vehicle appraiser
• Replacement value: The replacement value is the value of the vehicle before the accident and is calculated if it is a total loss.
• residual value: The residual value is also determined in the event of a total loss, which is the value of the vehicle after the accident.

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Benefits of an expert opinion

Even though an appraisal is more expensive than a cost estimate, it has a number of advantages. This includes:

• Accuracy: A motor vehicle report is a very detailed document that analyses the damage very precisely and reflects it down to the smallest detail.
• Commitment: A motor vehicle report is also an official document that can be presented to insurance companies, lawyers, etc.
• Legal certainty: Since the report is an official document, it can be presented as evidence in court proceedings and help you to enforce your rights.

These advantages are decisive for complicated cases.

When is a car cost estimate sufficient?

When asking a cost estimate or an expert opinion, there are a few things to consider. In many cases, however, a cost estimate is completely sufficient. In which case this is the case is explained below.

Benefits of an expert opinion

Minor damage is minor damage that is below the minor damage limit. This limit is 750 euros. If, in the event of damage, the damage is minor, a cost estimate is sufficient to calculate the repair costs.

Examples of minor damage include scratches in the paint, small dents in the sheet metal or even minor damage to mirrors and bumpers.

Uncomplicated damage

If the damage is slightly larger but is still simple, a cost estimate is also sufficient.

This includes, for example, the simple replacement of individual parts, such as repairing a headlight or even something like hail damage.

Advantages of the car cost estimate in this situation

• Quick processing: Since the cost estimate is less detailed than an appraisal, it can be completed more quickly.
• Low costs: The cost estimate is often free of charge or only small fees are charged, which makes it a cheaper alternative to a car report.
• Few hurdles: A cost estimate has fewer bureaucratic hurdles, as it can easily be applied for from a workshop.

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When is a motor vehicle report required?

Even though a cost estimate is sufficient in many cases, this is not always the case. In order to calculate the extent of an accident in the event of complicated or major damage, a motor vehicle report is then necessary. When this is necessary, for example, is explained in the following part of the article.

Damages above the small claims limit

If damage is above the minor claim limit, an expert opinion should be carried out. The minor claims limit is 750 euros, which means: If the damage exceeds at least 750 euros, a motor vehicle report should be carried out.
Examples of damage that exceeds the minor damage limit include damage to the bonnet, several damaged vehicle parts or a sharp decrease in value.

In this case, you should definitely have a car appraisal carried out.

Complex damage

Even in the case of particularly complex damage, a motor vehicle report should be carried out. It helps to uncover the actual costs and enforce their claims.

Such a case is, for example, an unresolved question of guilt in the event of a rear-end collision or a chain reaction accident. The type of damage is also decisive; for example, damage to safety-relevant parts such as brakes or airbags is also considered a complex damage.

Disagreements with insurance

Even if there are disagreements with the insurance company, preparing a car report is very helpful. The opposing insurance company naturally wants to pay as little compensation as possible and therefore sometimes doubts the amount of damage. When that happens, an expert opinion provides clarity.

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How do I choose the right appraiser?

If you have opted for the latter when it comes to the question of cost estimate or car report, there is also something to consider when choosing the expert who will carry out the report.

Right to own appraiser

It is important for injured parties to know that they may hire their own expert, even if the opposing insurance company provides one. In order for the motor vehicle report to be prepared independently and objectively, it is important for the injured party that he can hire his own expert and that the opposing insurance company must still bear the costs.

Qualifications of a motor vehicle appraiser

The appraiser should be as independent as possible and not be provided by the opposing insurance company. Also make sure that the appraiser has certified training and sufficient experience. You can also look at customer reviews and, in special cases, a specialized reviewer should be hired.

Cost estimate vs report: How much does what cost?

A decisive difference when it comes to cost estimates or reports when settling claims is the costs. These are very different

Cost of the estimate

A cost estimate is usually much cheaper than the cost of a car report. Normally, a cost estimate costs between 50 — 150 euros. These costs are often even offset against the repair costs if the repair takes place in the same workshop.

Cost of the report

The appraisal costs are significantly higher and depend on factors such as the amount of damage and complexity. The higher these factors are, the more complex the process is for the automotive appraiser. As a result, the costs are correspondingly higher. The costs of hiring a Accident report By an expert, it can cost between 300 — 1000 euros. In the event of a total loss, the car appraiser may ask for even more.

Who covers the costs?

Of course, there is also the question: Who pays the costs? Whether it's a cost estimate or an expert opinion, this question is always important.

cost estimate

Even if the costs of a cost estimate are lower than those of an expert opinion, these cannot be neglected. In this case, the injured party usually has to bear the costs of the cost estimate himself. But as already mentioned, there are many workshops that calculate the cost estimate with the repair costs, so that they are very low or even free of charge.

Unfortunately, the insurer does not cover the costs here.

Motor vehicle report

If you are not responsible for the claim, the insurance of the person responsible for the accident will cover the costs of the vehicle damage report. The person responsible for the claim's motor vehicle liability insurance is obliged to cover the expert costs. It is important to note that, as a victim of the accident, you have the right to hire an expert yourself and that this must also be paid by the insurer of the person responsible for the accident.

If you are responsible for the car accident yourself, comprehensive insurance may cover the report. However, every comprehensive contract is very individual and you cannot make any general statements.

Communication with insurance

When communicating with the insurance company, it is important that the injured party gets in touch with the insurance company as quickly as possible, regardless of how large or small the claim amount is. The insurance company should be informed as soon as possible of any change to make the process more pleasant.

Make sure that you record every interaction in writing so that you can quickly resolve any misunderstandings later on.

The more quickly the insurance company is informed, the faster the entire claims settlement process works.

Cost estimate or report: Common mistakes when making decisions

There are some mistakes that are common when making decisions and cause more problems later on.

Underestimation of the amount of damage

The amount of damage is often underestimated and injured parties assume that minor claims can always be settled with a cost estimate, even if this is just below the small claims limit. However, if the damage even barely exceeds the limit, this can lead to major problems with the insurance company. The insurance company may refuse to cover the costs if only a cost estimate is available.

A subsequent report can be more difficult to obtain and comes at an additional cost. In addition, there is of course a time delay and claims processing takes longer.

Therefore, in the event of uncertainty or possible hidden damage, it is advisable to Claims report because the motor vehicle expert can prepare a detailed and meaningful report that is also valid before insurance.

Assumption: Cost estimate is always cheaper

Many people have the assumption that a cost estimate is always cheaper than having an expert opinion drawn up. You are often unaware of the differences.

If you always make a cost estimate, you may incur double costs if a damage report has to be prepared afterwards, and even more importantly, major damage that is not immediately visible can be overlooked.

Therefore, the circumstances should always be examined before a decision is made automatically.

Step by step: What to do after an accident

In order to ensure a pleasant claim settlement process, the following steps should be taken.

Documentation of evidence

Take photos of the scene of an accident, damage to vehicles and, for example, skid marks on the road. In retrospect, this helps to understand the accident. In the event of more serious or complicated accidents, the police should also be added so that an accident report can be prepared.

damage assessment

Try to roughly assess the damage yourself. If the damage is minor, a cost estimate may be sufficient, if you are unsure, an expert opinion should be commissioned.

Inform insurance

Inform your insurer immediately. Submit the evidence and describe the exact course of the accident. The insurance company can advise you in the event of a claim and help you decide whether you would like to commission a cost estimate or an expert opinion to settle the claim.

Cost estimate or report: help with the decision

With the help of the information provided above, you can now decide what you will do after examining the situation: an opinion or a cost estimate?

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