Guide
Insurance Pays Too Little? Have the Damage Assessment Checked
After a car accident or damage event, the insurance compensation can be lower than expected. Insurers calculate damage according to standardised guidelines that don't always consider your vehicle's individual condition or regional market prices.
This often results in a more conservative assessment. To ensure all legitimate costs are considered, an independent second opinion from an appraiser can be helpful.
Kurzantwort
Insurance companies often commission their own experts who work according to internal guidelines. An independent appraisal checks whether labour times, material costs, replacement and residual values have been realistically set.
How insurance companies calculate damage
Insurance companies often commission their own experts who work according to internal guidelines. The following points can lead to deviations from realistic costs:
Low hourly rates
Because standardised or discounted workshop rates are used.
Reduced working hours
Fewer hours are allocated than actually needed for a repair.
Use of used parts
Even for relatively new vehicles, used replacement parts may be calculated.
Underestimated replacement value
In total loss cases, the purchase price is set too low.
Overestimated residual value
A high residual value reduces the compensation for total loss.
No diminished value
The mercantile value loss after repair often remains unconsidered.
Such standard calculations can mean that some damage items are incompletely or not at all recorded. An independent appraisal specifically addresses these points.
When an independent second opinion is useful
A technical second opinion from an external expert is particularly worthwhile when you have reason to believe the insurance hasn't adequately considered important cost items:
Situations for a second opinion
- The insurance offers compensation significantly below your own cost estimate.
- Repair items or parts were cancelled or reduced without a comprehensible reason.
- It is claimed no mercantile diminished value is due to you.
- For total loss, you doubt the calculation of replacement or residual value.
- The insurance pressures you to choose a specific partner workshop.
- You want independent documentation of all damage to safeguard your claims.
In all these cases, an independent appraiser can provide a supplementary assessment.
Rights in a damage case
Particularly for liability damage (the other party is at fault), you have certain claims against the opposing insurance:
Your rights for liability damage
- ✓Independent appraiser: You may commission your own expert. The opposing insurance generally covers costs if the appraisal is factually necessary.
- ✓Workshop choice: You can generally decide yourself where your car is repaired.
- ✓Diminished value: After an accident, a lasting loss of value can occur. You may claim this amount additionally.
- ✓Loss of use or rental car: For the repair period, you are often entitled to compensation.
- ✓Accident-related costs: All costs caused by the accident (e.g. towing costs) must be reimbursed by the liability insurance.
Note for comprehensive damage
For comprehensive damage (when you are at fault), these rules don't apply automatically. Here you initially pay for the independent appraisal yourself.
What an independent appraisal clarifies
A professional expert examines the vehicle and damage calculation very thoroughly. Important areas include:
Damage scope
Were all relevant damages fully recorded and documented?
Repair methods and costs
Are the proposed repair procedures appropriate, and are costs realistically calculated?
Hourly rates
Do the allocated working times and hourly rates correspond to market-standard values in your region?
Material and parts costs
Are the prices for parts and materials appropriate?
Mercantile diminished value
If applicable, whether a lasting value loss after repair has occurred is checked.
Replacement and residual value
The appraiser determines what it realistically costs to buy an equivalent vehicle and what a damaged vehicle is still worth.
Through this examination, the appraisal may uncover gaps or ambiguities in the original assessment.
Process of an independent appraisal
If you want to commission an independent appraisal, it usually proceeds in several steps:
Select appraiser
You commission an independent, qualified expert from your region.
Vehicle inspection
The appraiser examines your vehicle on site, checks all visible and hidden damage and documents it thoroughly.
Appraisal creation
Based on findings, the expert creates a written report with all damage and calculations listed and justified.
Submission to insurance
You submit the independent appraisal to the insurance. Often the company will review and potentially adjust the calculation.
Make sure the appraiser is truly independent – not contractually bound to any insurer or workshop.
When can an independent damage assessment be useful?
Une expertise automobile indépendante peut faire la différence dans de nombreuses situations. Elle est particulièrement utile lorsque :
- The compensation is significantly below your cost estimate
- Repair items were reduced without comprehensible reason
- You doubt the total loss calculation
- You want the damage assessment technically checked
- You need a neutral second opinion for documentation
Nous transmettons exclusivement des experts automobiles indépendants et qualifiés en Suisse.
Indépendance
Nous n'avons aucune relation contractuelle avec des assureurs, des ateliers ou des concessionnaires automobiles. Les expertises transmises sont réalisées de manière neutre et indépendante.
FAQ about claims settlement
Conclusion
A neutral second opinion often provides clarity. Experts can explain technical details clearly and show whether all legitimate items have been considered.
Request neutral damage assessment
Have your damage assessed by an independent expert – and receive a neutral assessment of your vehicle damage.
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