Technically reviewed by Maximilian Fromm, independent vehicle expert (B.Sc. in Mechatronics). Last updated: September 2026
The finished report (Gutachten) is usually ready within 24 hours after the inspection. The time until the inspection appointment is added to this. It depends on appointment availability and on where your vehicle is. For extensive damage or missing documents, preparing the report can take longer in individual cases.
We cannot promise a fixed time, because availability, extent of damage and available documents affect the time. This page explains how the time from your first request to the finished report adds up, what makes it longer and what you can do to speed it up.
Maximilian Fromm
Founder and Mechatronics Engineer (B.Sc.)
After you report the damage, an inspection appointment is often available soon. We cannot promise a specific hour or day in advance.
How fast we can find an appointment depends on current availability, the inspection location and whether the vehicle can be driven. You can report the damage by phone or online. Both usually lead to a quick reply with a proposed appointment. At CleverCrash, an inspection appointment is often possible on the same day.
The inspection itself, on site or at the Workshop, typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It depends on the extent of the damage.
During this time, we document the damage with photos and check the affected parts. We also record details about the vehicle, mileage and how the accident happened. At the Workshop in Erlangen-Frauenaurach, we can also look at the vehicle from below on the vehicle lift. For some types of damage, this gives extra certainty in the assessment.
What a vehicle expert checks, measures and documents during the inspection is explained in the article Tasks of an independent vehicle expert.
After the inspection, the work continues at the desk. This step usually takes most of the time until the report is finished. At CleverCrash, the finished report is usually ready within 24 hours after the inspection.
In the repair cost calculation, we combine parts prices and labor time units (Arbeitswerte) from the common calculation systems. We also review the photos and write the report text. For a possible total loss (Totalschaden), the residual value (Restwert) is often determined as well. For this, the vehicle expert usually collects three offers from the regional market. This takes extra time. During the review, open questions can come up, for example about a repair shop invoice or possible prior damage (Vorschaden). Then we may ask you or the repair shop a short question.
A repair case without special features can often be prepared faster. Cases with residual value determination, hidden damage or open questions take longer. For minor damage (Bagatellschaden), a repair estimate (Kostenvoranschlag) or a condensed report (Kurzgutachten) may be an option instead of a full report. These need less work and are usually produced faster. The article Vehicle report costs: what it costs and who pays covers the cost side and the difference between a condensed report and a full report in more detail.
Once the calculation is complete and the report is approved, it is often sent to you soon. If you wish, it also goes to the other party's insurer or to the traffic law firm you chose.
Delivery is usually digital, so all recipients receive the report at about the same time. With this, the preparation of the report is finished. At the same time, the insurer starts its own separate review and processing time once it receives the report. More on this in the section about the difference between report time and settlement time.
Several factors can make a report take longer than in a simple standard case.
At our own Workshop in Erlangen-Frauenaurach, we can remove add-on parts ourselves when needed to find hidden damage. We do not have to wait for an open appointment at a repair shop. In many cases, this speeds up the inspection.
With this information and these steps, you can shorten part of the waiting time.
No. The finished report is the basis for claim settlement (Regulierung), not the end of the process.
As soon as the report reaches the other party's insurer, the insurer starts its own review and processing time. This is independent of the time to prepare the report. The article How long does it take until the insurer pays? explains in detail how long this time until payment actually takes, which deadlines usually apply and what can speed it up.
In short: The time to prepare the report and the time until the insurer pays are two separate periods.
How the fee is made up and who pays it. This covers accidents that were not your fault, shared fault (Teilschuld) and claims under your own vehicle insurance (Kaskoschaden).
View topic Claim settlementThere are two separate time periods: the insurer's review deadline and the time until the money arrives, explained clearly.
View topic ProcessWhat a vehicle expert checks, measures and documents, and where the job ends.
View topic Knowledge hubThe overview of all topic pages about vehicle damage.
Go to overviewWe cannot promise a fixed time. At CleverCrash, the finished report is usually ready within 24 hours after the inspection. From first contact to the finished report, it often takes a few working days. For simple damage this is often shorter than for a total loss with residual value determination or for hidden damage. How long it takes in your case depends on availability, extent of damage and available documents.
After the first report, an inspection appointment is often available soon. We cannot promise a fixed hour or day in advance. The more complete your details are when you report, for example the vehicle registration certificate, photos and details of the other driver, the easier it is to find a suitable appointment. At CleverCrash, an inspection appointment is often possible on the same day.
The inspection itself, on site or at the Workshop, typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, we document the damage with photos, check parts and record details about the vehicle and how the accident happened.
For a possible total loss, preparing the report often takes a little longer than for damage that can simply be repaired. The reason is that the residual value must also be determined. For this, the vehicle expert usually collects three offers from the regional market. This takes extra time before the report can be finished.
A report often takes longer in these cases. One case is a total loss with residual value determination. Another is hidden damage that only shows after a closer check. Others are parts that must be disassembled, missing documents, or a vehicle that cannot be driven or is not at the agreed place. A follow-up inspection after the repair has started can also add time.
Complete documents help, such as the vehicle registration certificate and photos of the damage. Please also have the details of the other driver and the other party's insurer ready, plus a service book or proof of prior damage, if you have them. The vehicle should be at the agreed place at the agreed time. This reduces questions and speeds up the preparation.
No. The finished report is only the basis for claim settlement. After that, the insurer starts its own review and processing time, which has nothing to do with the time to prepare the report. More on this in the article "How long does it take until the insurer pays?"
By phone, we can usually give you a rough idea of the time in your case within a few minutes. We prepare the underlying damage report (Schadengutachten) as part of our accident and damage report. We are based in Erlangen and cover the whole Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. You can find the overview under our service areas.
Note: CleverCrash does not give legal advice. For legal questions about your individual case, we can refer you, on request, to specialized traffic law firms from our network.
Last updated: September 16, 2026. This page reflects the practice and assessment known at that time.
Legal information, not legal advice. The content of this page is for general information only, about the timing of preparing a vehicle report. It is not a legal service within the meaning of § 2 of the Legal Services Act (RDG) and does not replace individual advice from a traffic law lawyer.
Maximilian Fromm
Independent vehicle expert, B.Sc. in Mechatronics
Maximilian Fromm is an independent vehicle expert and the founder of CleverCrash in Erlangen. He studied mechatronics. Since August 2025, he has written damage reports (Unfallgutachten) for private customers, repair shops and lawyers in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. He supports his customers until the insurer pays out.
