Independent express appraisal and expertise of vehicles after road accidents

As a road traffic user, you ask yourself the question: "What should I keep in mind in the event of damage to my vehicle?"
Minor damage to the car, such as small scratches on the paintwork, scuffs on the bodywork or small dents on the sheet metal, often occurs when maneuvering in a parking lot. It is not always immediately clear to a non-specialist whether the damage is really minor (700 to 750 euros). In this case, it may be necessary to call an auto expert in case of damage to the car. Even minor damage can be expensive. Document the damage to the car (photos), record the details of the person who caused the damage and contact an expert or lawyer. Larger damages after a car accident require an accurate estimate. You have the right to hire an accident appraiser of your choice to evaluate the damage. The costs will be covered by the MTPL insurance of the person who caused the accident.

An expert report is a necessary prerequisite for full compensation of material and non-material damage after a road traffic accident. Against this background, you should take a balanced approach to answering the question "When should I call a vehicle appraiser?". In any case, you are entitled to an expert opinion from an independent car valuer after an accident that was not your fault! The cost of the damage report is borne by the MTPL insurance of the party responsible for the accident.
If you have been involved in an accident through no fault of your own, it is advisable to have an independent car expert assess the damage. You do not have to agree with the opinion of the representative of the opposing insurance company! An independent damage assessment provides security in the event of minor or major damage from the accident, which can be legally claimed from the opposing insurance company on this basis if necessary.

The question "What can an appraiser evaluate?" can be answered briefly: he or she analyzes the damage to a vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, yacht, boat, etc.) in an expert manner. The appraiser prepares independent reports on the damage or valuation of the vehicle, which serve as a reference point for insurance companies to settle claims after an accident. In addition to determining residual value, expert appraisal is also required when buying and selling vehicles. This involves accurately assessing the value of the vehicle and verifying its current value. Buyers of used cars are advised to seek such expert assessment from an independent vehicle appraiser. Thus, the commonly accepted tasks of a vehicle appraiser include, but are not limited to, neutral damage assessment, determining the cause of the accident, determining the value of the vehicle, documenting previous damage as accurately as possible, and analyzing current accident damage, preparing accident reports, and sometimes explaining relevant facts in court.

As a rule, an accident expert assessment costs several hundred euros. The answer to the question "Who pays for the services of an expert in a car accident?" fundamentally depends on the question of fault. If the injured party was involved in an accident through no fault of their own, the costs of the expert examination are covered by the insurance of the motor liability of the accident causer. At the same time, the injured party has the right to commission an independent expert appraisal. The costs are paid by the insurance company of the accident victim. If the injured party is partially at fault for the accident, he or she must also bear part of the costs of the expert opinion. In general, the expert is usually appointed and paid for by the insurance company of the accident victim. This is not always favorable to the injured party, as the expert can sometimes be expected to give his or her opinion to please the insurance company. Therefore, in case of an accident caused by the fault of another person, it is always advisable to order the services of an independent accident expert who will assess the amount of damage caused, estimate all necessary repairs and calculate the expected costs of damage settlement.

The accident report prepared by the vehicle crash expert records in detail all the damage to the car and quantifies the amount of damage caused. The question "What information is usually contained in a damage assessment?" can be answered as follows: all necessary data and characteristics of the vehicle's equipment, documentation (photos) of all damage caused by the accident (and previous damage), an estimate of the extent of repairs or their duration, information on wear and tear, determination of residual value, an estimate of upcoming costs or current replacement value.
Of particular note: if the car involved in the accident will be unavailable to the injured party for a long period of time, the corresponding amount may be recovered from the opposing insurance company. The so-called loss of service resource is determined by the length of time of the loss, which is multiplied by a certain daily rate. If the car is in the repair shop for a longer period of time, accident victims are also entitled to a rental car if needing the car. The cost of the rental car is borne by the opposing insurance company.

Please send us a copy of the vehicle's registration certificate as well as photo materials (2-3 photos) illustrating the damage by WhatsApp / email. We will contact you promptly and arrange an appointment for inspection (at your premises or workshop).
After the inspection, we will prepare an expert report within a few hours.
We will contact you and discuss the findings with you.
The expert report will be sent to the insurance company (or your lawyer).
After a few weeks, the amount of the damage will be transferred to your bank account.

As a normal rule, general liability insurance pays for all damages you claim for: Court costs, compensation for pain and physical injuries, funeral expenses, car repairs, compensation in the event of total economic loss (total loss) of the car, expert assessment costs. Payment of expert assessment fees, transportation costs, loss of merchantability value (LTV), car rental/use compensation, household expenses, maintenance payments, lump sum costs.
It is a necessary prerequisite that the other party to the accident is fully at fault and that the claim was filed or the damages actually occurred. If you are awarded partial fault, the amount will be reduced accordingly.

A traffic accident is a unique situation for most road users. The question "What should I consider in the event of an accident?" can be answered as follows: keep calm, cordon off the scene, administer first aid (if necessary) and notify an emergency physician if necessary. After an accident, it is important to document the accident accurately. Take photos of the accident scene and the damage that you can later present as proof. It is advisable to have at least two copies of the so-called "European accident report" with you to be on hand just in case.
Write down the name, address and telephone number of those involved in the accident and ideally the names of witnesses who observed the accident. You will need this information for a vehicle appraiser or attorney to enforce your claims against the opposing insurance company. "Accident Report" is a standardized form adopted in Europe that facilitates the presentation of facts and collection of data after an accident. The information provided is not an admission of fault, but it allows you to make a statement about the accident's course of events for the purpose of settling a claim.