How Long Does It Take to Get a Damage Assessment Report at a 4S Shop?
2 Answers
The time required for damage assessment at a 4S shop depends on the extent of the vehicle's damage. If the damage is minor, the assessment can usually be completed within a day. If disassembly is needed, it may take around two days. Vehicle Damage Assessment Process: Report the Accident: First, report the accident. The insurance company's surveyors need to determine the liability for the accident based on the scene. Therefore, after a traffic accident, the vehicle owner must not leave the scene and should promptly protect the accident site. After the insurance company surveys the scene, they will assess the damaged vehicle and arrange for repairs. Submit Required Documents to the Insurance Company: Required documents include: Traffic Accident Liability Determination Certificate, Mediation Agreement, Judgment Document, Repair Invoice, Medical Expense Invoice, Medical Records, Proof of Lost Wages, Policyholder's Identity Information, Policy, Copy of ID Card, Copy of Vehicle License, Copy of Driver's License, etc. These documents should be submitted to the insurance company for claim calculation. Receive Insurance Compensation: The insurance company will notify the policyholder to collect the insurance compensation. The recipient must bring relevant documents, including the original policy, the insured's original ID card or household registration booklet. If someone else is authorized to collect the compensation on behalf of the insured, the authorized person must bring their ID card and the "Authorization Letter for Claim Collection" issued by the insured.
I've been driving for almost ten years and have experienced several accidents where I had to send my car to the 4S shop. The time it takes to issue the damage assessment report actually depends on the severity of the accident and how busy the 4S shop is. For minor scratches that don’t affect internal parts, if you send the car in the morning, you might get the report by the afternoon. But like last time when I got rear-ended pretty badly, I had to wait almost two days for the report because the technician had to disassemble the car for a thorough inspection, take photos for the insurance company to verify, and the shop was crowded with people waiting in line. I recommend calling ahead to check their schedule for the day, choosing a weekday to avoid peak hours—it saves a lot of hassle. Also, preparing your insurance policy and accident proof in advance can help speed things up a bit, so you don’t end up stressed out waiting longer than necessary.
