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Accident report
Evidence-proof after the accident, free of charge when someone else is at fault.
After an accident that wasn't your fault, you have the right to an independent expert. We document the damage so it holds up as evidence and enforce your claim against the other party's insurer.
- Report within 48h
- We handle the paperwork
- Free of charge when someone else is at fault
- Experience from over 20,000 cases
48 h
until the report is ready
100%
cost coverage when someone else is at fault
approx. 15 min.
on-site damage assessment
20,000+
cases assessed in 30 years
Basics
Vehicle accident report: what is it and when do you need it?
An accident report lists exactly all the damage the accident caused to your vehicle. It can also shed light on how the accident happened and who was at fault. Your accident report proves the vehicle damage you suffered in a legally sound way. In technical terms, the accident report is called a vehicle liability report or a liability damage report.
- Claiming your compensation from the insurer (claim settlement)
- A fixed-price repair order at your garage
- In cases of partial fault, to help establish who is liable
- Documenting the vehicle's history can raise the achievable price when selling
When do I need this?
Typical reasons for an accident report
An accident that wasn't your fault
The other side is liable, so you're entitled to your own independent report.
Damage above the minor-damage threshold
From around €750 in repair costs, the insurer reimburses the expert's fee.
Dispute with the insurer
The other party's insurer is cutting your claim? We push back with solid expertise.
How it works
Just a few steps to your report
Contact & initial assessment
Call us or write via WhatsApp. We clarify the liability situation and arrange an appointment, usually the same day.
On-site inspection
At our office in Karlsruhe-Durlach or mobile, wherever your vehicle is. Depending on the damage, the assessment takes 30-60 minutes.
Report in 48 h
Sent to you, your lawyer and the insurer. We stay with you until you're fully paid out.
Liability
Who pays the bill?
1 Someone else at fault
Someone else is usually at fault when:
- Someone ran into the back of you.
- Someone ignored your right of way.
- Someone drove into your parked vehicle.
Commission the accident report yourself! An experienced independent expert gets you the full compensation and gives you the best chance of a quick payout.
You commission an expert and the insurer pays. Call now!
2 Partial fault
You're usually partly at fault when:
- The sequence of events is unclear.
- You were reversing at the moment of impact.
- You overtook on a single-lane road.
- You exceeded the recommended speed.
- In an accident involving more vulnerable road users, such as cyclists.
Tell us briefly about your accident! Based on over 20,000 cases, we'll give you valuable tips free of charge.
With us you often get a report free of charge even when you're partly at fault. Call now!
3 Your own fault
You're usually at fault yourself when:
- You run into the back of someone.
- You ignore someone's right of way.
- You drive into a stationary/parked vehicle.
Report the accident to your insurer! When you caused the accident yourself, your insurer usually has the final say over the claim settlement.
Your fully comprehensive insurer commissions an expert and covers the costs.
Costs & payment
Free of charge when someone else is at fault
Typical range: €300-1,000
The cost of a vehicle accident report varies depending on the scope and complexity of the report. Costs usually range between €300 and €1,000. The cost is influenced by factors such as the type of vehicle (e.g. car, truck, motorcycle), the extent of the damage and the effort involved in the inspection (e.g. travel, inspection, analysis). The cost of a vehicle accident report is covered by the at-fault party's insurer, provided they caused the damage and fault is clearly established.
Free of charge when someone else is at fault
Comparison
Where do I get the accident report?
Who should prepare the report depends on the question of fault and the extent of the damage. You have three options for establishing the vehicle damage:
Independent expert
- Same-day appointment and comes to you
- Checks for hidden damage
- Works to manufacturer specifications, not in the insurer's interest
- Takes the time to advise you independently on the next steps
- Stays your point of contact until the end
- 100% free of charge when someone else is at fault
Insurer
- Long waiting times for an appointment
- The insurer often tries to play down the damage
- Extras such as a rental car and diminished value are often left out
Garage
- Only by appointment, which you often wait days for
- Often no check for hidden damage
- Produces no report, only a cost estimate
- Costs of €100 and up
- Service advisors usually have no expertise in accidents
Included in the report
This is the damage documented in the accident report
A vehicle accident report documents all the damage connected to your vehicle. Besides the material damage, this also includes loss-of-use compensation for the time until the repair, for example. Our reports cover the following points.
- Calculation based on manufacturer specifications
- Calculation using authorised-garage hourly rates
- Original spare parts
- A figure for any diminished value
- Loss-of-use compensation / rental-car group
- Court-proof securing of evidence and photo documentation
- Cover for a repair extension
- Assessment of roadworthiness
- Optional equipment taken into account
Additional claims
Possible additional claims after a road accident
Many accident victims aren't aware of their additional claims. Depending on the situation and the severity of the accident, claims can arise for replacing items, as well as loss of earnings, lost holiday, home help, compensation for pain and suffering and further claims.
- Child seats
- Smartphone
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Home help
- Sat-nav device
- Loss of earnings
- Lost holiday
- Further claims
How car insurers play down the damage
After an accident that wasn't your fault, you should definitely choose the vehicle expert yourself! With over 2,000,000 road accidents, it pays for the car insurers to scrutinise accident reports or have their own experts prepare them, in order to play down the damage.
Liability insurance: how car insurers play down the damage
ARD Marktcheck (SWR), Teil des deutschen öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunks
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Accident report
Can I choose the expert freely?
Yes. After an accident that wasn't your fault, you have the right to an independent expert of your choice. The insurer can't force a particular expert on you.
How long does the report take?
Usually the finished report is ready 48 hours after the inspection. We prioritise urgent cases and often manage delivery within 24 hours. This only applies when no residual-value assessment is needed (so not for total losses).
What's the difference from a cost estimate?
A cost estimate only puts a figure on the repair costs. The report additionally documents diminished value, loss of use and residual value, crucial for full claim settlement.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not strictly necessary, but recommended. When the accident wasn't your fault, the other party's insurer also covers the lawyer's fees.
What if the insurer questions the report?
We defend our reports on technical grounds, all the way to court if necessary. As independent engineers we stand behind the solidity of our findings.
Service areas
Where we assess for you
- Karlsruhe
- Karlsruhe-Durlach
- Ettlingen
- Rastatt
- Baden-Baden
- Bruchsal
- Bretten
- Pforzheim
Ready for the next step?
Call, WhatsApp or form, we'll get back to you with a suggested appointment.
Mon–Sat 08:00–20:00
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