What is the difference between attending and not attending the vehicle damage assessment in person?
2 Answers
The difference is minimal. The vehicle owner does not need to attend the damage assessment in person. As all vehicle owners know, the damage assessment is a crucial step in the insurance claim process. Although the vehicle owner is not responsible for conducting the damage assessment, it does not mean that they should not understand the process. Being familiar with the damage assessment process can help avoid compensation losses due to one's own lack of knowledge. Additional information: The assessor visits the scene, takes photos of the accident, identifies the damaged parts of the vehicle, determines whether they should be replaced or repaired, and finally assesses the extent of the damage. However, a vehicle consists of thousands of parts, and the models and prices of different types of vehicle parts vary. Even professional assessors often face numerous challenges and feel overwhelmed due to insufficient information, which has become one of the key issues in the vehicle insurance industry.
I had a deep impression from the loss assessment after that accident. Being personally present at the scene allows the assessor to better understand the damage details, such as some hidden scratches or internal damage that they might overlook. If you don't go in person and rely solely on photos, key points can easily be missed, leading to lower compensation. For example, my friend's car had a front bumper collision, and he didn't go. During repairs, it was found that the headlight bracket was broken but wasn't reported, so he had to pay out of pocket. During the assessment process, we can also directly explain the accident's circumstances to avoid misunderstandings. Of course, sometimes work is too busy to go, which is convenient, but you must ensure the photos are comprehensive or have a reliable person handle it for you. Overall, being at the scene better ensures fairness, especially when the vehicle damage is complex. Spending an extra hour or two is worth it. Insurance companies usually encourage car owners to be present, as this makes the claims process smoother and reduces the risk of back-and-forth disputes.
