Minor damage to the car: When is a cost estimate sufficient and when is a report sufficient?

Minor damage to the car: When is a cost estimate sufficient and when is a report sufficient?

According to a report by www.nrz.de, if there is minor damage to the car, the insurance company will not provide any reports. The Viersen District Court has determined that a simple cost estimate is sufficient as long as the damage is less than 1,000 euros. In this specific case, damage to the headlight of a car was caused in a traffic accident, which resulted in net repair costs of 319.22 euros. The injured party commissioned an expert to carry out a short report, which caused additional costs of around 168 euros. The liability insurance of the person who caused the accident refused to pay for the report because it was not necessary, which the district court confirmed. In the case of minor damage like this, a cost estimate from a specialist workshop is sufficient.

As an economic expert, it is important to analyze the impact of such a decision. By setting the threshold for minor damage at 1,000 euros and refusing to provide reports from insurance companies, the claims settlement process is likely to be accelerated. This could result in insurance costs being reduced as unnecessary appraisals no longer have to be paid for. At the same time, the injured parties could receive compensation more quickly, as simple cost estimates can be prepared more quickly than detailed reports. However, this also entails the risk that injured parties may receive lower compensation payments if the exact amount of damage is not recorded in detail. This could lead to consumer dissatisfaction. It is important that insurance companies and traffic lawyers adequately inform consumers about their rights and options to avoid potential misunderstandings.