What does a car expert report cost — and who pays for it?
Fees are based on the BVSK-Honorartabelle (typically 300–1,200 € depending on the extent of damage). In the case of a no-fault accident, the opposing liability insurer covers them — 0 € for you.
For no-fault injured parties: 0 € out-of-pocket costs
Appraiser fees are an independent damage item under § 249 BGB — the opposing liability insurer covers them in full (BGH VI ZR 67/06), regardless of whether legal action is later taken. Legal fees, repair costs, and rental car costs are also paid by the opposing party (subject to acknowledgment by the opposing liability insurer).
- Your own, independent appraiser — free choice
- Engaged by you, not the insurer
- Fee reimbursable per BVSK-Honorartabelle
- Commission before repairs begin (evidence preservation)
Fee levels per BVSK-Honorartabelle
The BVSK-Honorartabelle assigns fees in tiers based on the extent of damage and is recognized as an estimation basis under § 287 ZPO (BGH VI ZR 357/13). The following ranges are guidance — the exact values are derived from the current BVSK table plus expenses (photographs, travel costs, drafting fee, VAT).
| Fee tier | Damage amount | Fee range (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| HB I | bis 750 € | ca. 200–280 € |
| HB II | 750–1.500 € | ca. 280–400 € |
| HB III | 1.500–5.000 € | ca. 400–700 € |
| HB IV | 5.000–15.000 € | ca. 600–1.200 € |
| HB V | über 15.000 € | individuell, oft 1.000–2.500 € |
“The fee is excessive” — what insurers cut
Insurer auditing services regularly reduce appraiser fees, claiming they are “excessive.” Under BGH VI ZR 280/22, however, the risk of appraiser costs lies with the insurer — you are not required to choose the cheapest provider or monitor the fee. How to respond to the typical letters:
What you can do right now
- Find an expert on the map: claimondo.de/gutachter-finden — interactive map with all partner experts; click a marker and see an available appointment.
- Free AI first estimate in 60 seconds: claimondo.de/check — three photos and a short description are enough.
- Report damage directly with a callback in under 15 minutes: claimondo.de/schaden-melden — no sign-up, 3 fields.
- By phone: 0221 25906530 (Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat & Sun 09:00–18:00)
Claimondo is Germany’s largest digital platform for the complete settlement of motor vehicle liability claims. For no-fault injured parties: 0 € out of pocket under § 249 BGB (subject to acknowledgement by the opposing liability insurer).
No-fault accident? The expert report costs you 0 €.
Anonymous first assessment. Response in under 15 minutes. In a no-fault accident, the other party covers the legal fees.