Assessor fees in Berlin: what a car damage report costs and who pays for it
After an accident that was not your fault, the other party's insurer usually pays for the report. In all other cases, we tell you the price before we start.
- No upfront payment if the accident was not your fault
- If you are partly at fault, we write off your share of the costs
- Fixed price ranges for own-damage claims and valuations
Our prices at a glance
What a report costs depends on who caused the damage and which service you need.
| Situation | Who pays | Your costs |
|---|---|---|
| Accident that was not your fault (liability claim) | The other party's liability insurer | As a rule, none |
| Partly at fault (liability ratio) | The other party's insurer according to the ratio; we write off the rest | None |
| Damage you caused yourself (Kasko) | You, as the client | €100 to €500, depending on the work involved |
| Valuation reports and vehicle appraisals, e.g. classic cars | You, as the client | €120 to €1,500, depending on the work involved, negotiable |
| Repair confirmation | You, as the client | Free if we prepared the damage report, otherwise approx. €60 |
| Services charged by time, e.g. technical reports | You, as the client | From €150 net per hour |
We tell you the exact price for your case before you commission us. This information is not legal advice. If in doubt, a specialist traffic lawyer can assess your individual case.
Not your fault: why you usually pay nothing
The cost of the report is part of your damage. That is why the other party's liability insurer has to reimburse it (§ 249 of the German Civil Code, BGB).
You are free to choose your assessor. An assessor sent by the other party's insurer works on the insurer's behalf. When you commission us, you assign your claim for reimbursement of the assessor's costs to us. We then bill the insurer directly, and you do not have to pay anything upfront.
For very minor damage, a repair cost estimateis often enough. We look at your vehicle and tell you honestly whether a full report is worth it.
Partly at fault: how we bill
If liability is shared, the other party's insurer only pays its share. We write off the rest. An example:
Report
We prepare the report. Our fee is, for example, €800.
Liability ratio
The insurer accepts 70% liability on the part of the other driver; 30% is attributed to you.
Reimbursement
The other party's insurer pays 70% of the fee, i.e. €560.
Your share
We write off the remaining €240. You pay nothing.
How car assessors calculate their fees
There is no statutory fee schedule for private car damage reports in Germany. Surveys by the assessors' associations show which fees are customary.
Basic fee based on the amount of damage
For accident damage, the fee is usually based on the amount of damage. The Federal Court of Justice has ruled that this is permissible (BGH, judgment of 23 January 2007, VI ZR 67/06). The amount of damage is the net repair cost plus any loss in market value, or the replacement value in the case of a total loss.
The most important reference is the fee survey of the BVSK (Federal Association of Freelance and Independent Motor Vehicle Assessors). Every two years the association surveys what its members charge and publishes the results as fee ranges. Courts regularly use the survey as a basis for their estimates (§ 287 of the German Code of Civil Procedure, ZPO). The VKS (Association of Independent Motor Vehicle Assessors) also publishes its own fee guidelines. The usual basic fee for a given amount of damage can be checked with the BVSK fee calculator (German).
Additional costs
Additional costs are charged on top of the basic fee. Except for travel costs, courts use the German Judicial Remuneration and Compensation Act (JVEG) as a guide (BGH, judgment of 26 April 2016, VI ZR 50/15). Recognised as customary are, for example:
- Photos
- €2.00 net per photo, €0.50 per photo in the second set
- Writing costs
- €1.80 net per page, €0.50 per copy
- Postage and telephone
- €15.00 net flat rate
- Travel costs
- at least €0.70 net per kilometre
Hourly rate for technical reports
Technical reports, valuations and special cases cannot be tied to an amount of damage. They are charged by time. According to the BVSK, the hourly rates for this are mostly between €150 and €200 net. We charge from €150 net per hour.
Court-ordered reports
When a court appoints an expert, the German Judicial Remuneration and Compensation Act (JVEG) applies, with fixed hourly rates. For motor vehicle damage and valuation, the rate was raised by 9% to around €130 on 1 June 2025. The JVEG does not govern private reports, such as those after an accident.
When the insurer cuts the fee
Insurers often cut assessor fees, for example by arguing that the fee is not customary for the area. According to the case law of the Federal Court of Justice, however, the injured party does not have to research the market for the cheapest assessor before commissioning one (BGH, judgment of 11 February 2014, VI ZR 225/13). We check every cut and respond with a professional statement. For legal steps, we recommend a specialist traffic lawyer.
Frequently asked questions about costs
Your question is not listed? Call us and we will tell you in advance what your case will cost.
Questions? Give us a call0163 7962575What does a car damage report cost after an accident?
If the accident was not your fault, the other party's liability insurer usually pays the assessor's costs, because they are part of your damage (§ 249 BGB). After you assign your claim to us, we bill the insurer directly. As a rule, you pay nothing upfront.
What do I pay if I am partly at fault?
The other party's insurer reimburses our fee according to the liability ratio. We write off the share attributable to you. So even if you are partly at fault, you do not pay any assessor's costs.
What does a report cost if I caused the accident myself?
Then you are the client yourself. Depending on the work involved, our fee is between €100 and €500. We tell you the price before we start.
How does a car assessor calculate the fee?
For liability claims, usually based on the amount of damage (basic fee) plus additional costs for photos, travel and paperwork. The BVSK fee survey, which courts use as a basis for estimates, serves as a guide. Technical reports and special cases are usually charged by time, with us from €150 net per hour.
Is there a statutory fee schedule for car assessors?
No. There is no statutory fee schedule for private car damage reports. Associations such as BVSK and VKS publish fee overviews. For experts appointed by a court, the German Judicial Remuneration and Compensation Act (JVEG) applies.
Can the insurer cut the assessor's fee?
Insurers often cut assessor fees. According to the case law of the Federal Court of Justice, however, the injured party does not have to research the market for the cheapest assessor before commissioning one. We check cuts and respond with a professional statement. For legal steps, we recommend a specialist traffic lawyer.
What will your case cost? Ask us.
Call us or request a call back. We will tell you the costs in advance, without obligation.
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