Following road traffic accidents, the following applies: without an accurate assessment of the damage, there can be no proper settlement or reimbursement. A motor vehicle surveyor inspects and assesses the damage to the vehicle caused by an accident and documents the facts in a report. In our guide, we explain when you need a report and what else you should know about it.
- An independent vehicle valuation report helps to quantify the specific claims arising from the accident.
- Unlike the repair shop’s estimate, this also lists items of damage such as loss of value.
- As the injured party, you are entitled to your own independent assessor. You should not simply accept an assessor sent by the other party’s insurance company.
- The costs of the accident report are borne by the insurance company liable for the claim.
- We would be happy to help you find a competent and independent valuer.
When do I need an expert report following an accident?
Following a road traffic accident, the question always arises as to how much damage has actually been caused. The best way to answer this is through a technically accurate damage assessment report. This is where a motor vehicle loss adjuster can help. They draw up the report and document the damage using photographs, technical details and the resulting costs of repair.
What does the report say?
The report determines the extent and cause of the damage. It also serves to preserve evidence. This is important for you, as in around 5% of accidents, a judge will ultimately want to see evidence.
What are the benefits of an expert report?
When the report is drawn up, the visible damage is cross-checked against the available account of the accident, enabling any inconsistencies to be identified in good time. Another key advantage of the report over a simple Cost estimate is to document the depreciation. Otherwise, this type of claim can easily be overlooked, and you will miss out on a valuable reimbursement.
Do I have to accept the loss adjuster sent to me by the other party’s insurance company, or am I entitled to choose my own loss adjuster?
Insurance companies often use their own loss adjusters. These draw up reports that may underestimate the amount of the claim, so that the insurance company incurs lower costs. As the claimant, you should be aware that appointing your own loss adjuster is the better option. This is particularly true when the amount of the claim is very high, as the insurance company will want to keep its costs down. The opposing insurance company must cover the costs of an independent (second) loss assessor even if it sends you its own loss assessor.
Is the expert liable for his statement?
As the injured party, you can rely on the expert’s assessment, and insurers who disagree with the estimated repair costs will have the expert – not you – as their point of contact for liability matters. The expert report is therefore a valuable and virtually indispensable tool in several respects when it comes to asserting your claims against the insurance company.
When is it not advisable to commission an expert report?
If the cost of the damage is less than €750, it is referred to as minor damage. In such cases, there may be subsequent discussions regarding the necessity of a valuation report and the resulting fee charged by the valuer. In the case of minor damage, we advise on the repair costs by Cost estimate have it drawn up. However, this serves only to determine the repair costs. It does not serve as evidence in this context.
Am I allowed to choose an independent valuer myself?
As the injured party, you are under no obligation to accept the expert appointed by the other party’s insurance company. On the contrary! You can and should choose and appoint an independent expert yourself. The advantage of this is that you do not have to rely on the expert provided by the insurance company. Reports drawn up primarily in the interests of the insurance company often underestimate the amount of damage. An independently prepared report is usually the better choice for you as the injured party. The costs incurred for the report must be borne by the other party’s insurance company.
Who commissions the loss adjuster following a road traffic accident?
There are various ways in which you can obtain an expert report.
Option 1: The surveyor is recommended by the car dealership
Garages regularly recommend trusted surveyors from their network. You can often commission these surveyors directly at the car dealership, or the dealership will contact them on your behalf. This approach largely protects you from any unpleasant surprises regarding the surveyor, as car dealerships tend to favour surveyors who are customer-focused.
Option 2: The insurer liable for payment sends you a loss adjuster – NOT RECOMMENDED!
The preparation of an expert report can also be initiated by the insurance company liable for payment. The insurance industry also has its own experts to assess accident damage. However, if you choose this route, you should be aware that, in this case, the experts are acting in the interests of the insurance company. We therefore strongly advise against this option.
Option 3: Conduct your own research and commission the work
If you’d still like to look for one yourself, you’ll find a wide range of surveyors online via the usual search engines. Make sure you choose reputable providers with good qualifications and, ideally, credible customer reviews.
Option 4: We’ll send you a top-rated independent surveyor – OUR RECOMMENDATION
In order to secure the best possible claims settlement for our customers, we have established a nationwide network of assessors who perform above average. Through our innovative portal, we are able to measure response times and service levels.
This gives you the unique advantage of being able to engage an expert with a proven track record.
As a special service, assessors from our network will visit you at home or at work. This saves you valuable time.
Who pays for the vehicle valuation?
In the event of an accident for which you are not at fault, your third-party liability insurance will cover the costs. All costs incurred – including the cost of the expert report – must be borne by the other party’s insurance company.
If an accident is wholly or partly your own fault, comprehensive insurance will cover the costs either in full or on a pro rata basis. In such cases, the cover for the costs of the loss assessor is governed on a case-by-case basis by the terms set out in the insurance policy. An accident report typically costs between €500 and €800.
What’s the easiest way to get an independent expert opinion?
Have you been involved in an accident through no fault of your own and need an independent motor vehicle surveyor following the road traffic accident? Then play it safe and contact us directly:
- Our competent team of experts will discuss the right next steps with you.
- If required, we can arrange for a certified valuer to visit you at home at your convenience. They will draw up the important independent valuation report
- Your full claims are calculated by specialised teams of lawyers using our software
- Your optimised claims are asserted with the insurance companies liable to pay benefits and paid out for you
- If required, our network of tested, reliable specialist workshops and replacement vehicles will support you
- You will be kept up to date on all regulatory progress via our innovative HIS (customer information system).
Unfortunately, we can’t undo your accident. But we’ll make the best of it for you – we promise!
