Who Pays the Kfz Expert in Germany and When Is It Free for the Injured Party?

Who Pays the Kfz Expert in Germany and When Is It Free for the Injured Party?

One of the first questions people ask after a traffic accident in Germany is not about repairing the vehicle, but about the costs. More specifically, almost everyone asks the same thing:

“Who pays the Kfz expert?”
“Is the expert free, or will I have to pay for it myself?”

This concern is completely understandable. People are already in a stressful situation and do not want an additional financial burden. However, there is a very important fact here that many people do not know – and because of this lack of knowledge, they often lose money.

If You Are Not at Fault – The Expert Costs You Nothing

German law is very clear on this matter:
If you are not responsible for the traffic accident, the costs of an independent Kfz expert are covered by the insurance company of the party who caused the damage.

In other words, in such cases the expert is free for you.

However, many injured parties are not aware of this. Because of that, they either never contact an independent expert or they simply accept the assessment provided by the insurance company, believing that it is their only option.

In practice, this is where the biggest mistake usually happens.

Why Insurance Companies Do Not Like It When You Call Your Own Expert

Insurance companies often try to convince the injured party that an independent expert is “not necessary” or that they will send their own assessor. The reason is simple – an assessor working for the insurance company primarily protects the interests of the insurance company.

An independent Kfz expert, on the other hand, works exclusively in the interest of the injured party. Their task is to assess the damage realistically and in detail, without reducing or omitting important items.

We explained the differences between these two types of assessments in detail in the article: “Independent Kfz Expert vs. Insurance Expert – What Is the Difference?”

When Is the Expert Not Free?

There are situations in which the cost of the expert is not covered by the other party’s insurance. This happens when you are responsible for the accident or when the damage is truly minimal and does not exceed the legal threshold required for a full damage report.

In such cases, the damage assessment is carried out differently and simpler calculation models are often used.

This is exactly why it is important to consult a professional before making any decisions, so you do not end up paying for something that you may not actually need.

The Most Expensive Mistake: Not Calling an Expert Out of Fear of Costs

The irony is that people often lose money precisely because they were afraid that the expert would cost them something. Instead of contacting an independent assessor, they accept the first offer from the insurance company, which often does not include the full extent of the damage.

Later, when they realize that the amount is not enough for a proper repair or that important items were overlooked, the possibility of correcting the situation becomes very limited.

Why It Is Important to Contact an Expert as Early as Possible

Time plays a crucial role. The earlier an independent damage assessment is carried out, the stronger the documentation will be and the safer your position will be.

A delayed reaction often means weaker evidence and more room for the insurance company to dispute the claim.

That is why the advice is simple: get in touch as soon as possible, even if it is just for initial advice. In many cases, the very first conversation clarifies whether you are entitled to a free expert and what the next steps should be.

In Germany, a Kfz expert is not a luxury but a legal right of the injured party. If you are not responsible for the accident, an independent damage assessment will usually cost you nothing, because the cost is covered by the insurance company of the person who caused the accident.

The biggest mistake you can make is to avoid a professional assessment because you fear the costs. That decision often leads to financial loss.

If you have had an accident and are not sure who pays for the expert, feel free to contact us immediately – the consultation is free.