Why should you always use your right to an independent motor vehicle appraiser?

If a vehicle expert is needed, an independent expert should always be commissioned by the injured party himself. Do not rely on an expert provided by the other party’s insurance company. Because in this case you have to reckon with the fact that the damage report will be to your disadvantage.

That is why you should be the client for the damage assessment

An accident through no fault of your own is not only annoying, but can also be expensive for you as the injured party. If your vehicle is badly damaged, you should not do without an expert report. In practice, however, it turns out to be a mistake if you outsource this task and leave the field to the other party involved in the accident or his insurance company. Even if the person who caused the accident promises you a quick and uncomplicated settlement through his insurance, you have to live with a significantly lower compensation in this case. If an independent appraiser is appointed by you and works on your behalf, you will usually receive higher compensation and do not have to accept monetary losses. This does not mean that the motor vehicle appraiser of the opposing insurance company does not work professionally. But it is a fact that cannot be denied that a service provider always works in the interests of its client – who in this case is not you.

The advantages of a vehicle appraiser ordered by you

As already mentioned, the damage value is lower if an appraiser is appointed by the accident opponent insurance. It is different if an independent expert is appointed by you and commissioned with the preparation of a damage report. Keep in mind that you do not pay the costs for the vehicle appraiser yourself because you were not to blame for the accident. In addition to compensation, any repair costs or the replacement value, the person who caused the accident must also bear the costs for the motor vehicle expert you have appointed. If the damage is fully comprehensive, your insurance company will provide the assessor. In this case, there is no possibility of appointing an independent expert. You have the additional option, but in this case you will bear the costs for the assessment of the damage you have commissioned yourself. In all other cases and if you can prove that you were not at fault for the accident, an independent assessor should carry out the damage assessment and carry out an assessment on your behalf, as well as in act in your interest.

Find car experts – how do you search correctly?

The term appraiser or expert is not protected. It is all the more important that you choose a certified and sworn vehicle appraiser. If you are looking for a reliable and experienced expert with nationwide activities, the KfzSachverstand.de team, for example, is an adequate contact. Here you will not only receive the independent report, but also answers to all questions that concern you in advance and that flow into your decision. The basic criteria that make a good and reliable expert are based on the objectivity of the assessment in addition to the technical expertise. It is therefore important that you do your own research and do not rely on the other party’s insurance company to be objective and impartial. The assessment, which is made by an independent appraiser, gives you a very good chance of being reimbursed for the full damage in civil courts. Because the credibility of an independent vehicle appraisal is rated significantly higher than that of a non-publicly appointed expert who works on behalf of an insurance agency.

Rear-end collision with an Opel Astra

Who pays for the appraisal?

First of all: The costs for a motor vehicle appraiser depend on the amount of damage and thus on the effort required to prepare the professional appraisal. But if you were involved in an accident through no fault of your own, you don’t need to worry about the costs. Because the vehicle report must be paid for by the other party involved in the accident or their insurance company. It is irrelevant whether you order the expert or whether it is an expert from the accident opponent insurance. Many road users are not aware of this fact. If the person who caused the accident tells you that you will not incur any costs by ordering his expert, do not let this irritate you. Even if you appoint an independent expert, the other party involved in the accident must pay and you will not incur any costs as a result of your own initiative. The expert costs are an item in the legal costs, so you do not have to worry or do without your own motor vehicle expert due to the fear of additional fees.

At what level of damage is an independent appraiser advisable?

There is no general answer to this question. However, the opposing insurance company can refuse to assume the costs if an independent expert appointed by you only finds minor damage. If your vehicle has only minor or no visible injuries after an accident, you should refrain from a vehicle appraiser. In this case, a cost estimate from the workshop is sufficient. In principle, it can be said that you do not need an expert report for damage under EUR 750, as the amount is so small that the workshop’s estimate is sufficient. However, in the case of a technical or economic total loss or damage that cannot be estimated, an independent expert is the only right solution. You can easily determine whether you need an expert opinion based on the obvious damage to the vehicle. In the case of major damage, a motor vehicle appraiser you have ordered should be commissioned so that you are not left with high costs and only receive the minimum rate from the opposing insurance company.

Independent appraiser yes or no? These are the facts!

In principle, if an expert is required, you should become active yourself. Exceptions prove the rule. However, these exceptions relate primarily to damage that is to be classified under the category of trifles. In all other cases, you do not rely on a motor vehicle appraiser who works on behalf of the opposing insurance company in favor of compensation for the damage. With a probability bordering on certainty, you can assume that you will receive much higher compensation if you commission it yourself. You must know that an expert working for the insurance company works in the interests of the client and will therefore only charge the minimum of the costs. After an accident, you should quickly look for an appraiser who will record the damage and list all visible damage as well as consequential damage of the accident in the damage report.