After an accident that was not your fault, the vehicle is usually repaired in a workshop and is ready to drive again after a short time. But what happens if the repair takes longer than expected? And what then happens to a hire car or the loss of use allowance? Can the insurance company refuse to pay because the garage takes too long? We clarify these questions in the following article.
Car repair after accident - What applies?
If you are involved in an accident, your vehicle often has minor or major damage that needs to be repaired. In the event of an accident that was not your fault, the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident will cover the costs of car repairs. Although this does not incur any costs for you, it does have disadvantages. This is because you cannot use your car while it is in the workshop. During this time, you are usually entitled to a hire car or a Lump sum for loss of use to. Both are intended to compensate for the fact that you cannot drive your car as usual as a result of the accident. However, you have to decide whether you would prefer a Rental car or want to receive the lump sum. Neither subsidy is available.
The traffic law experts at fairforce.one will be happy to give you a free initial assessment.
As part of your duty to minimise damages, you should ensure that you do not allow too much time to pass after an accident. The other party's insurance company often requires you to submit the expert report on the damage within one to two working days. Although you can take longer, you may not be entitled to a hire car or the flat-rate compensation for loss of use during this time.
Certain rules apply to both types of compensation, which are a prerequisite for payment. One of these is the so-called duty to minimise damages of the person affected. This means that as the victim of an accident, you still have to ensure that the costs for hire cars and the like do not explode - for example, by taking care of the expert opinion as quickly as possible and not keeping your car in the garage any longer than necessary. But this is exactly where problems quickly arise and the trouble with the other party's insurance company begins. That's why we advise you to commission our experts with the claims settlement after every accident that wasn't your fault. We will manoeuvre you safely through the jungle of claims settlement and ensure that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled.
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How does an optimal car repair work?
If you are involved in an accident through no fault of your own, the person responsible for the accident will usually report the incident to their insurance company within one to two days. They will then ask you to obtain an expert opinion on the amount of the damage and the repair costs. This is usually possible at any garage. However, it is advisable to go to a garage that specialises in accident and bodywork damage.
Insurance companies often work together with partner garages so that they can recommend a garage to you. However, this creates a potential conflict of interest, which is why an independent valuer is preferable. We will be happy to help you find a suitable valuer.
Once you have presented your car to the workshop, they will assess the damage, draw up an expert report and provide a cost estimate for the repair as well as an estimated repair time. You then send this expert opinion or cost estimate to the insurance company, wait for them to give the go-ahead to cover the costs and have your vehicle repaired in the workshop.
How long does a car repair take?
The duration of the car repair depends on various factors: For example, the exact damage, the vehicle model and its age. But it also depends on how quickly spare parts can be procured or necessary paintwork can be carried out. As the affected party who wants their repaired car back after an accident, you have little influence over any of these factors. How quickly you can collect your car from the workshop is therefore rarely within your control. This means that repairs can be completed in a few hours for minor damage, but can also take several weeks or months.
However, there is still something to bear in mind. The repair time depends largely on whether or not your vehicle is still roadworthy after an accident. In the case of minor damage that does not affect road safety, a replacement part can be ordered before you park your car in the workshop. During this time - i.e. until the material arrives - you can continue to drive your car and are not entitled to a hire car or a loss of use payment.
The situation is different if the accident was so serious that the car can no longer be driven. In this case, the time your car spends in the workshop "waiting" for spare parts also counts as repair time for which you are entitled to compensation. This rule usually applies here:
Entitlement to loss of use benefits =
Date of the accident until you (accident victim) receive the expert opinion
+ time for reflection (usually 1 to 2 days)
+ Repair time (incl. "waiting time" for spare parts)
To give you an idea of how long you can expect repairs to take, we have summarised a few of the most common repairs after accidents for you:
Bumper
The repair takes about 1 - 2 weeks. Although the replacement part can usually be procured quickly, it often has to be painted. This is because most parts suppliers do not offer bumpers in the required colour.
Chassis suspension & wheel bearings
You can expect this to take around a week. As most garages have the necessary spare parts such as control arms, ball joints and bearings in stock, the damage can be repaired quickly. However, it will take longer if the chassis has also suffered damage. In this case, the repair can quickly take 3 weeks.
Exhaust
If the exhaust is damaged after a rear-end collision, it can often be repaired within a few days. These parts are also often in stock and can therefore be replaced quickly. However, here too, additional or severe damage can extend the repair time. Especially if the bumper also needs to be replaced.
Bodywork damage
For dents and scratches, the repair time depends on the severity of the damage and ranges from a few days to a few weeks. If body parts have to be replaced and painted, you can expect up to 4 weeks or longer.
Car repair takes too long
If a car repair takes longer than expected, it can quickly happen that the opposing insurance company refuses to pay the services for the entire time.
You are then often accused of breaching the duty to minimise damage. For example, by ordering the car repair too late or not asking the garage sufficiently about the repair time. However, even if you behave in an exemplary manner, the repair may take longer than agreed due to various factors.
Repairs are most often delayed because spare parts are not available on time. Depending on the vehicle model and its age, it can be difficult to obtain the necessary part in a timely manner. This is often easier for frequently driven cars than for rarer models. Also, smaller vehicles with less complex components can usually be repaired more quickly than a fast sports car that looks smart but is rarely bought. Sometimes your car also has damage that is rare and for which spare parts are therefore rarely available.
Rarely does a garage deliberately delay a car repair. But if you have the feeling that you are being held up, you should ask. In the event of delays, it is also advisable to inform the insurance company that is paying for the repair, which can then follow up with the garage. After all, a repair that takes too long can have tangible consequences for you.
It is important that all delays are well documented and clearly justified. For example, if a rare spare part is ordered from abroad, it should be documented that there was no faster alternative at the time.
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What happens if the repair takes too long?
If the garage takes too much time, the insurance company may refuse to continue paying for the hire car or the flat-rate compensation for loss of use. This happens quite frequently, and it is not uncommon for the accident victim to be accused of a breach of the duty to minimise damages. For example, because it took too long for the expert opinion. A repair that is ordered shortly before public holidays such as Christmas or Easter can also quickly lead to problems if the garage is logically not working on these holidays.
As the person affected, you are often left behind and should therefore seek professional support.
The right steps for fair claims settlement
Are you worried about getting into conflict with the insurance company because of the repair time? 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 organise an expert to come to your home. He will prepare the important independent expert opinion
- 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).
We can't undo your accident. But we will make the best of it for you, we promise!
FAQ on car repairs and delays in the workshop
What to do if car repairs take too long?
If a repair takes longer than planned after an accident that was not your fault, you should follow up with the garage and ask about the reasons for the delay. You should also inform the other party's insurance company. They may then ask the garage for a statement or ask you for written proof from the garage. To avoid any disadvantages, we recommend that you work with our experts right from the start. We secure your claims and ensure that you have no trouble with the insurance company.
Can the insurance company refuse to pay if the car repair takes too long?
If a repair takes longer than planned, this can affect the payments made by the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident. The insurer may then, for example, stop further payment for a hire car or compensation for loss of use. We will be happy to help you here, please contact us.
Why does a car repair take longer than expected?
The most common reason for a repair taking longer is a lack of spare parts. Rare parts or materials in particular, for which demand is currently too high, can be unavailable or unobtainable at short notice despite the best supply planning. The repair cannot then be carried out as planned and is delayed. A sudden high level of sick leave in the workshop or other factors can also affect the repair time. It is best to ask the workshop if the repair is taking longer than planned.
Repairs take longer - when should I contact the workshop?
It can always happen that promised repair deadlines cannot be met exactly. Delays of a few days are therefore nothing to worry about. Garages also often inform you when delays occur. However, if the agreed deadline has already been exceeded by a week or more, you should follow up. Especially as the insurance company could quickly cancel your benefits after an accident that was not your fault.
