Every year on German roads 2.6 million road accidents. After an accident, you as the injured party are entitled to reimbursement of the costs of restoring the vehicle. But how do you assert your claims and who actually pays the repair costs after an accident? Here you will find helpful Information on all aspects of repair costs.
Essential: Have accident damage correctly determined
To the Safeyour requirements, it is compelling It is necessary to have the damage assessed correctly. The safest way for you is an expert report. An expert documents and analyses the accident damage and describes the steps and time required to complete the repair. This is the basis for your claims settlement. At the same time, you will receive a reliable statement on the amount of your loss of use claim. In the article "5 facts you should know about vehicle appraisals" you will find a Compilation of all information on the subject of expert reports for accident damage.
As a user of the faire regulation, you have access to tried and tested independent experts. Report your accident damage here. We will take care of everything else and ensure the best possible claims settlement for you. safe.
Important: Who pays the repair costs after a road accident?
Are you the injured party in the traffic accident? In this constellation, the liability insurance of the person responsible for the accident is liable to pay benefits. You will be compensated within the scope of damages.
Did you cause the accident? Then this is a case for your comprehensive insurance or your own wallet.
As you can see from this, clarifying the question of fault is essential, as this determines which insurance will apply in the event of an accident. As a user of the faire-Regulierung portal, you will receive a free initial assessment of the apportionment of blame within 24 hours of receiving your assessable accident report - directly to your mobile phone and prepared by an experienced network lawyer. Best of all, we guarantee that you will not be charged for this.
The basic requirement for an insurance company to cover the damage is that the accident was not caused intentionally. In addition, the damage must be reported in good time. The insurance company should know about the accident within 14 days. We will be happy to take care of the damage report to your insurance company and check your claims.
Deciding in favour of a repair: Is there a workshop commitment?
If you are the injured party in the accident, the insurance company of the party responsible is the addressee for your claims. Communication with the claims departments of the various insurers is one of the most important simplifications for users of the fair regulation.
When it comes to choosing a repair workshop, don't let anyone talk you into it! You can choose the garage where the accident damage is to be repaired. In this constellation, there is no obligation to choose a workshop. The now frequently heard "warnings" about cost risks if you decide in favour of your own garage are also part of the repertoire of the insurers liable to pay. The aim of the insurance company is to steer you and your vehicle away from your trusted garage and to settle the claim in a garage that is more favourable for the insurance company. Do not fall for this.
The situation is different in the case of comprehensive damage, i.e. damage that you have caused yourself. In this case, there could be a workshop commitment. Check the conditions in your insurance contract. If the insurance company stipulates that your vehicle must be repaired at the workshop specified by the insurance company. We generally advise against insurance contracts with workshop commitment. Experience from many thousands of insurance cases shows that the discounts granted in these tariffs are regularly disproportionate to the loss of benefits you risk in the event of a claim.
Caution: The insurance company will reduce your claims for repair costs after an accident
The insurance company naturally wants to keep its expenses as low as possible and often reduces your claims. Typical points that are quickly cancelled and which your workshop regularly fights over afterwards:
- Small parts flat rate (washers, glue, clasps, etc.)
- Transport costs (from the car dealership to the paint shop and back)
- Test drive after the repair (test for function and e.g. wind noise)
Due to the fact that not every material can be assigned to a specific order, the workshop has the option of Small parts flat rate to be claimed. This flat rate applies to consumables such as Lubricants, adhesive tape and cleaning agents and can be recognised in the amount of 2 % of the repair costs.
The progressive development of technology makes test drives irreplaceable. Today, vehicles are equipped with distance-keeping cruise control, blind spot assistants or lane keeping systems. A "drive round the block" is no longer sufficient to check the vehicle for full functionality after repairs. Safety demands more extensive test drives. Your dealership is regularly faced with the challenge of getting this necessary work paid for by the insurance company.
The insurance company often and systematically reduces claims that you are entitled to as a result of an accident. In particular, items that are attributable to repairs are often cancelled by the insurance company. We - the faire-Regulierung team - check your claims direct and secure them with our network of experts. Let your claim now check.
Decision against a repair: Does the accident damage have to be repaired?
It is not absolutely necessary to have the vehicle involved in the accident repaired. If you decide not to have the vehicle repaired, you are still entitled to compensation for the repair costs. If you do not have the car repaired and have your claims paid out, this is referred to as a "fictitious settlement". From our daily practice, we are aware of many objections raised by insurance companies. The insurer often cancels items on the grounds that they were not incurred. However, the basic principle of fictitious billing is that no distinction is made between costs incurred and costs not incurred. It only depends on what costs would have been incurred if you had had the repair carried out. Don't be fooled into thinking you're getting an X for an O! The basic character of a fictitious settlement is precisely that the items calculated in the expert opinion are not realised, but nevertheless describe your claim.
The faire-regulierung network therefore also gives you access to experienced specialists for your complete fictitious settlement and payout.
Only if you are the owner of the vehicle can you decide for yourself whether or not to have the car repaired. In the case of leased or financed vehicles, the leasing company or the bank is the owner. In this case, it is not you - but the owner - who decides on the repair procedure.
Your specialist: We secure your claims after a road accident
We are a network of Experts for all aspects of claims settlement. We check your claims after an accident and secure them for you. With us, you avoid cost risks and reduce your expenses.
Please inform us about your road accident simple online or by telephone at free of charge Call 0800 30 111 60 and an expert from our team will get back to you within a few minutes to discuss the next steps.
Your big plus: You can use our innovative customer information system (KIS) and have access to all important files such as expert reports or reimbursement statements at any time. The data is stored in accordance with data protection regulations and can be comfortable can be accessed via your smartphone. If necessary, you can always reach a personal contact directly.
