Is a signature required for vehicle damage assessment?
3 Answers
Damage assessment reports are issued by insurance companies and do not require signatures from both vehicle owners. Below are the procedures to follow after a traffic accident occurs: Stop and call the police: In case of a serious collision between two vehicles, immediately stop the car, turn on the hazard lights, place a triangular warning sign 150 meters behind the vehicle, and then call the traffic police. Protect the scene: For major traffic accidents, it is necessary to protect the accident scene until the traffic police arrive for investigation. Accident claims: If there are casualties, keep all hospital documents. You can go to the 4S shop or damage assessment center designated by the insurance company for assessment. Based on the insurance company's investigation and the determination of the liability statement, the insurance company will provide certain compensation.
I recently experienced an accident where my car hit a guardrail, and the insurance company sent someone to assess the damage. The entire process included inspecting the damaged parts, taking photos and videos, and finally, the assessor presented a report for me to sign and confirm the amount. I hesitated a bit at the time, but they said it was standard procedure—without signing, the claim couldn’t be processed. Signing means I agree with the damage assessment to avoid disputes later. For example, if the repair cost is assessed at 5,000 yuan, the insurance company will only transfer the payment to the repair shop after I sign. If I accidentally sign but disagree with the details, it could cause trouble later, so I recommend carefully reviewing the details during the assessment and clarifying anything unclear. Once signed, the claim progresses much faster—delays aren’t an option, especially since we car owners worry most about repair time affecting our vehicle use. In short, this signing step is quite common and basically required for every damage assessment, aiming to protect both parties' interests and speed up the process.
In the process of handling car accidents, signing the damage assessment report is almost always necessary. I remember the last time I was rear-ended, the insurance adjuster came to the scene to evaluate the extent of the damage, wrote a report, and then asked me to sign it. The purpose of signing is to confirm that both parties have agreed on the amount of loss. If you don't sign, the claims process gets stuck, and you won't be able to get reimbursed for the repair costs. As someone who drives frequently, I believe it's important to carefully review the report before signing, such as checking whether the parts list is complete and whether the estimates are reasonable. If you have any doubts, raise them promptly for negotiation. Once signed, the report becomes legally binding, proving that you accept the outcome. Actually, the damage assessment process itself is relatively straightforward, but signing is the crucial final step—otherwise, the assessment would be in vain. To minimize disputes, signing is also part of risk management.
