Vehicle appraisal is a mandatory procedure following a car accident covered by insurance.
This process determines the damage, repair costs and liability, which can affect the amount you receive from the insurance company. Understanding how the process works can therefore help protect your rights.
In this article, discover what vehicle appraisal involves and how it works.
What Is Vehicle Appraisal?
Vehicle appraisal is the technical assessment and quantification of the damage sustained by a vehicle following an accident. It covers cars, motorcycles, heavy vehicles and semi-trailers.
The result determines the repair cost or whether the vehicle should be declared a total loss if repairing it is not economically viable.
How Does a Vehicle Appraisal Work?
Vehicle appraisal protects the interests of all parties — the insurance company, policyholder and injured third parties — by ensuring that the amount assessed is technically justified.
Without an appraisal, there is no objective basis for determining the amount of compensation or the repair costs.
When Is a Vehicle Appraisal Necessary?
A vehicle appraisal is necessary in cases of collision, loss of control, rollover or any other incident that causes material damage to the vehicle.
Depending on the coverage provided by the motor insurance policy, the insurance company may also request an appraisal in cases involving damage caused by natural phenomena or vandalism.
What Services Are Included?
A vehicle appraisal includes:
- Visual assessment of external damage, such as dents, scratches, bumpers and glass;
- Partial dismantling to identify internal damage, when necessary;
- Photographic records of all damage;
- Preparation of a technical report with a repair estimate;
- Determination of the vehicle’s market value before the accident;
- Declaration of a total loss, where applicable;
- Monitoring and control of repair work following the appraisal.
- Acompanhamento e controlo dos trabalhos de reparação após a peritagem.
Who Carries Out the Vehicle Appraisal?
To assess the causes and damage resulting from the accident, the insurance company appoints a professional known as an appraiser.
This technical professional is impartial and must be qualified to assess vehicle damage and prepare vehicle appraisal reports.
What Legislation Regulates Vehicle Appraisal in Europe?
The rules governing vehicle appraisals and motor insurance vary between European countries. There is no single set of rules covering every aspect of the appraisal process across the European Union.
Therefore, you should check the legislation and insurance rules applicable in the country where the accident occurred and where the vehicle is insured.
How Is a Vehicle Appraisal Scheduled?
After the accident is reported, whether by the policyholder, insured person or injured third party, the insurance company arranges the vehicle appraisal.
The applicable deadlines and procedures vary depending on the country, insurance policy and circumstances of the accident. The appointment may generally be arranged by telephone, email or through the insurance company’s customer area.
Where Is The Vehicle Appraisal Carried Out?
As a general rule, insurance companies recommend that the vehicle appraisal takes place at an approved or partner repair shop. However, depending on the applicable insurance policy and national legislation, the policyholder may be able to request that the appraisal is carried out at a repair shop of their choice.
Can I Choose The Repair Shop?
In many cases, the driver can choose the repair shop where the vehicle appraisal is carried out. However, this may depend on the insurance policy and the rules applicable in the country concerned.
When making this choice, the availability and duration of a replacement vehicle may also depend on the appraisal report, the insurance coverage and the repair shop selected.
Can I Change Repair Shops After The Vehicle Appraisal?
Yes, it may be possible to change repair shops after the appraisal, but there may be certain conditions.
The vehicle appraisal report is prepared based on a specific repair shop, which means that changing repair shops may result in changes to the repair estimate.
Inform the insurance company before changing repair shops to avoid issues with reimbursement or replacement vehicle coverage.
What Is Assessed During a Vehicle Appraisal?
The assessment begins with the exterior of the vehicle, including the bodywork, bumpers, glass, headlights and other visible components. When internal damage is suspected, the vehicle may be partially dismantled to inspect the engine, suspension, gearbox and other components.
The appraiser also determines the vehicle’s market value, that is, its value before the accident, and assesses whether the repair is economically viable or whether the vehicle should be declared a total loss.
How Do I Appraise My Car Value?
The process generally takes place in four main stages:
1. Inspection At The Repair Shop
The appraiser visits the repair shop and inspects the vehicle.
They carry out a visual assessment, measure the damage and photograph all identified defects.
2. Preparation Of The Report
Based on the inspection, the appraiser prepares a technical report containing a list of the damage, the repair estimate and the vehicle’s market value.
3. Decision On Repair Or Total Loss
If the repair costs exceed the vehicle’s market value, the appraiser may declare the vehicle a total loss. If the repair is considered viable, the report serves as the basis for the compensation process.
4. Repair Monitoring
After approval, the appraiser monitors the repair work to ensure that it corresponds to the approved estimate.
How Long Does a Vehicle Appraisal Take?
The time required for a vehicle appraisal varies depending on the circumstances of the accident, the complexity of the damage and the procedures followed by the insurance company.
In some cases, the process may take longer if the vehicle needs to be dismantled or if additional damage is discovered during the inspection.
The applicable deadlines also vary between European countries, so you should check the rules in force in the country where the claim is being handled.
What Is The Deadline For Providing The Vehicle Appraisal Report?
The deadline for providing the vehicle appraisal report depends on the applicable legislation and the insurance company’s procedures.
The report generally includes a description of the damage, the repair estimate and, where applicable, the vehicle’s market value and the decision regarding a total loss.
How Much Do Vehicle Appraisals Cost?
In the event of an accident covered by mandatory motor insurance, the appraisal is generally paid for by the insurance company rather than directly by the insured person.
If you request a second appraisal or an independent appraisal on your own initiative, the cost varies depending on the company and the complexity of the vehicle.
As a general rule, independent vehicle appraisal companies may charge from tens to hundreds of euros for passenger vehicles.
What Should I Do If I Disagree With The Appraiser’s Assessment?
If you disagree with the result, do not accept it immediately. Carefully review the report and identify the points you disagree with, such as damage that was not included, an underestimated repair cost or an incorrect vehicle valuation.
Contact the insurance company in writing and formally state your disagreement within the applicable deadline.
The deadline for submitting a complaint or challenging an appraisal varies depending on the country and the insurance procedure. Check the applicable legislation before submitting your objection.
How Can I Request a Second Vehicle Appraisal?
You can request a second vehicle appraisal from the insurance company, subject to the applicable deadlines and procedures.
You should provide grounds for your request by identifying any errors or omissions and explaining why you believe the original assessment is incorrect.
If the insurance company refuses the request, you may be able to escalate the matter to the relevant insurance supervisory or consumer protection authority in the country concerned.
How Can I Challenge a Vehicle Appraisal?
There are two common situations that may justify challenging an appraisal:
- The insurance company disputes liability and refuses to cover the repair costs;
- The insurance company accepts liability, but the proposed settlement or repair conditions are considered unacceptable, for example, because the approved amount does not cover the actual damage.
In both cases, submit your objection to the insurance company in writing and within the applicable deadline. If the complaint is unsuccessful, you may be able to refer the matter to the relevant insurance ombudsman, supervisory authority or dispute resolution body.
Important: Insurance and vehicle appraisal rules can differ significantly between European countries. Before taking any action, check the legislation and procedures applicable in the country where the accident and insurance claim are being handled.
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