Claim report

Claims settlement usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. Depending on the complexity of the case, it can also take longer. Through our rapid deployment and competent claims management, we always try to make faster progress.

Insurance companies always make their compensation payments dependent on the presentation of an accident report. That's why the car report is so important to you. Because in order for compensation claims to be made at all, the accidental damage to your car must be documented, assessed and quantified.

‍

The report also shows whether the damage was actually caused by the accident and clarifies the accident process in detail. Should a dispute arise, courts will also decide on the basis of the claim report. As an injured party, you are protected by the liability insurance of the person who caused the accident, which means that the costs of the report and, if applicable, for a lawyer are fully covered by the other party's HP insurance. So you don't have to pay a cent yourself.

‍

The report also shows whether the damage was actually caused by the accident. Should a dispute arise, courts will also decide on the basis of the claim report. As an injured party, you are protected by the liability insurance of the person who caused the accident, which means that the costs of the report and, if applicable, for a lawyer are fully covered by the other party's HP insurance. So you don't have to pay a cent yourself.

‍

As a rule, an accident report is always necessary after an accident, as soon as the damage limit has exceeded that of minor damage. This is around 750 euros for HP insurance and 2000 euros for comprehensive insurers. Among them, a cost estimate is usually sufficient.

‍

However, since it is a problem for non-experts to be able to assess the actual damage caused and to calculate the costs exactly, it makes sense to always hire an accident expert. He will then assess which type of vehicle report is right for you.

‍

So that the damage can be estimated and the amount of repair costs can be estimated, an automotive expert will check your vehicle very carefully for defects, damage and other defects. A motor vehicle report contains information on the following facts:

‍

• Technical data and special equipment
• Documentation of existing and accident-related damage
• Assessment of repair path and repair costs
• Duration of repair
• Accidental impairment
• Replacement value and residual value
• Assessment of the economic efficiency of the repair (total loss)
• downtime

‍

Incidentally, the claims for a rental car or compensation for loss of use are also calculated from the downtime due to an accident.

‍

The price for an appraisal is a percentage of the damage caused. They are calculated on the basis of tables from large associations. By default, you can expect a declining percentage depending on the amount of the claim. Here is a calculation example for you:

‍

harm percentage Honorary

‍1,000 euros 35 percent 350 euros
20,000 euros 7 percent 1,400 euros

‍

So the bigger your damage is, the higher the bill for the motor vehicle report. Some experts or associations, such as DEKRA, also charge on an hourly basis. There are also other associations, such as TÜV Süd.

‍

What is important is:
In the event of an accident through no fault of your own, you are protected by HP insurance from the other party to the accident, which means that they cover the costs of the report and, if necessary, for a lawyer. So you have to Not a cent myself Pay.

‍

Auch wenn sich der Gutachter im Regelfall um die Einhaltung aller Fristen kümmern wird, solltest Du als Geschädigter oder Unfallverursacher stets einen Überblick über Pflichten und mögliche Fristen nach einem Unfall haben:

‍

1. Der Unfallverursacher hat maximal 7 Tage Zeit, den Schaden bei dem Versicherer zu melden.
2. Suche von einem KFZ Sachverständigen: Ein KFZ-Gutachter sollte am besten noch am Unfalltag angefordert werden. Denn das Warten kann zu weiteren Schäden führen (Schadensminderungspflicht), und je schneller ein Fahrzeug repariert wird, desto schneller wird die Schadenssumme ausgezahlt.
3. Ein Schadengutachten kann je nach Kapazitäten innerhalb von 1 bis 3 Tagen erstellt werden. Für das Schadengutachten gibt es keine direkte Frist. Je nach Werkstatt, kann es nach einem Unfallschaden auch länger dauern. Viele Sachverständige regeln die Terminvergabe per E Mail oder bieten vorher Beratung an. Nicht wundern: Oftmals bieten Werkstätten auch andere Dienste wie Ersteinschätzung, Zulassung und Oldtimer Gutachten für Autos an.

‍

Hinweis: Schadensersatzansprüche verjähren nach 3 Jahren.

‍

Als Geschädigter bist Du verpflichtet, die Schadenssumme gering zu halten. Dabei ist die Rede von der Schadensminderungspflicht nach § 254 BGB. Demnach darfst Du die Reparaturkosten und die gesamte Schadensregulierung nicht künstlich in die Höhe treiben. Warte also nicht damit, Deinen unabhängigen Kfz-Gutachter zeitnah anzufordern.

‍

As an injured party, you also have a number of rights under Section 249 of the German Civil Code:

‍

• Assumption of lawyer and appraisal fees by the opposing insurance company in the event of an accident through no fault of its own
• Free choice of an expert office. This allows you to select an independent reviewer for the review yourself.
• Reimbursement of repair costs
• Claim for rental cars or loss of use
• Right to fictitious billing

‍

In the case of personal fault, your own car insurance usually only pays the repair costs or the current value of your vehicle.

‍

Who pays the accident report depends on the question of guilt. As a rule, the insurance of the person responsible for the accident covers the costs. In the case of a partial debt, it is divided in accordance with the fixed debt ratio.

‍

This means that in most cases, the culprit's insurer bears the costs of the claim report. As an injured party, you therefore never have to pay anything with us.

‍

If the insurer from the other party involved in the accident suggests a motor vehicle expert, the following problems may arise:

‍

• conflict of interest: The proposed appraiser could act in the interest of insurance to keep costs low.
• independence: The appraiser may not be completely neutral and objective in preparing the report and evaluating the damage.

‍

Instead, it is often better to hire an independent motor vehicle expert to ensure a fair and objective assessment of the damage.

‍

As the injured party, you do not have to pay for the vehicle's vehicle appraisal, as this is covered by the opposing liability insurance. However, you do not have to accept the expert provided and can hire an independent expert yourself.

‍

The insurance of the person responsible for the accident, the person responsible for the accident, therefore always steps in when he has to pay to an injured party. The costs incurred are reimbursed up to 30 percent above the replacement value of the damaged vehicle.

‍

In the event of personal fault of an accident, comprehensive insurance only covers a motor vehicle accident report on the perpetrator's vehicle. As a rule, she will then also exercise her right to appoint an expert herself and to assess the amount of damage. In rare cases, an expert can be commissioned yourself — and then only in consultation with the insurer.

‍

In addition, the policyholder is only reimbursed up to the amount of the replacement value. This includes the excess.

‍

Ideally, a motor vehicle appraiser is always a publicly appointed and certified expert. His qualifications ensure that motor vehicle reports are valid before insurers and courts. One requirement of the appraiser is that he has a degree before, for example, he may draw up the amount of motor vehicle liability claims for accident victims, or, as another example, be allowed to determine the depreciation of a vehicle in order to determine the value. In addition, he prepares, for example, an appraisal or even a cost estimate.

‍

However, the professional title of motor vehicle appraiser is not legally protected in Germany. This means that basically anyone who has received appropriate training can be an automotive expert.

‍

Furthermore, an appraiser is not required to carry a certificate of expertise proving his qualification. However, you should make sure that the reviewer you hire is competent. Because the more qualified an expert can identify himself, the less likely the findings in a motor vehicle report can be disputed.

‍

The duties of a claims appraiser

An appraiser can evaluate vehicles in a variety of ways. These include:

‍

• Determination of damage and collection of evidence following a traffic accident
• Used car valuation
• Preparation of appraisals
• Preparation of reports for young and classic cars, but no issue of H license plates
• Machine report

‍

In addition to these tasks, his activities also include documentation, assessment of various damages, understanding the course of traffic accidents and claims settlement.

‍

As with the question of assuming the costs, a distinction can also be made here between liability and comprehensive cases. Because in the event of external fault of an accident (liability), you as the injured person have the right to hire a motor vehicle appraiser of your choice.

‍

Don't let the opposing insurance company put you under pressure. Choose an independent expert who only represents your interests and independently measures the amount of damage.

‍

In the event of personal fault or force majeure, comprehensive insurance will commission a motor vehicle report. It is rarely the case that the policyholder is allowed to elect their own appraiser.

‍

This is because many insurance contracts contain clauses which state that motor vehicle accident reports are only paid if they are commissioned by the insurer.

‍

Independent vehicle appraisers

So if you are in the position of the party through no fault of your own following a traffic accident, then insist on your right to hire your own and independent expert. In this way, you ensure that the decrease in value and loss of use due to pure sheet metal damage are taken into account.

‍

This is because provided experts will always have the interests of their own insurer in mind and will then also assess them.

‍

Did you know that determining the value of the vehicle or making a cost estimate is also one of his tasks?

‍

In the event of a dispute, a court in NRW may have to rule on the compensation claims. The damage report from your car is considered sufficient evidence.

‍

Can the other person involved in the accident dispute my claim report?

‍

It is theoretically possible to complain about the vehicle report. However, according to a ruling by the Berlin Regional Court (file number 42 O 22/10), this requires a verifiable reason.

‍

A simple reference to an inadequate claim report is not sufficient for a further assessment of the situation. An expert opinion would also be contestable if there were justified doubts as to the competence of the expert.

‍