By FZ Abschleppdienst, Korntal-Münchingen. Last updated:
In short
If you were not at fault, the motor liability insurer of the driver who caused the accident usually pays for towing, reasonable storage and in most cases the vehicle assessor too. If you caused the accident yourself, it depends on your comprehensive cover or breakdown cover (Schutzbrief). If both drivers share the blame, the costs are split according to each one's share of liability.
Important to know first
This text is a general overview and not legal advice. What applies in your case depends on how the accident happened and on your contracts. If there is a dispute about fault or the amount, a lawyer specialising in traffic law can help.
You were not at fault
Then the person who caused the accident has to compensate you for the damage. Their motor liability insurer usually also pays the costs that arose from the accident:
- Recovery and towing from the accident scene
- Storage of the vehicle, for as long as is reasonable
- A vehicle assessor's report, unless the damage is only minor
- Repair or replacement
You caused the accident yourself
Your liability insurer pays for the other party's damage. For your own vehicle you need comprehensive cover. Whether it also covers towing and storage is set out in your policy terms. Breakdown cover (Schutzbrief) often covers towing, usually up to a fixed amount.
Both drivers share the blame
If both are partly to blame, the costs are split according to each one's share of liability. If you are 30 per cent at fault, you will usually get 70 per cent of your damage paid. You cover the rest yourself or through your own comprehensive cover.
Why storage matters
It often takes a few days to establish who pays and whether a repair is worthwhile. During this time the vehicle has to be kept safe so that the vehicle assessor sees the damage as it was. We store accident vehicles at our fenced yard in Korntal, which is under video surveillance, and agree the storage period with you and the insurer.
Free choice of vehicle assessor and garage
After an accident that was not your fault, you are usually entitled to appoint your own independent vehicle assessor. We work with a partner vehicle assessor, but you do not have to use them.