What the insurance loss adjuster does and how to prepare

After you report an accident, a key figure almost always appears: the loss adjuster (‘perito’). They are a specialist in assessing vehicle damage and normally work for the insurer. Their report determines which parts are repaired or replaced, how many hours of labour are accepted and, in serious cases, whether the car is a total loss.

What exactly they do

• Inspect the vehicle, usually at the garage and sometimes remotely using photos and videos.
• Check that the damage is consistent with the reported accident.
• Decide which parts are repaired and which are replaced.
• Assess bodywork and paint labour using standard schedules and reference times.
• Issue a report the insurer uses to authorise the repair or payout.

Why it’s better for the car to be at the garage

A lot of damage can’t be seen at a glance. After a hit on the front bumper, for example, there may be broken brackets, bent reinforcements or a distorted inner front panel. If the loss assessment is done with the car at the garage, parts can be removed to show the adjuster everything behind them. If hidden damage turns up later, the garage informs the insurer and the assessment is extended.

How to prepare

1. Keep the photos you took at the scene and the accident report form.
2. Note anything odd since the impact: doors that do not shut properly, body rattles, loose parts.
3. If your car has extras or special equipment, have it documented.
4. If there was previous damage unrelated to the accident, say so clearly. It avoids misunderstandings.
5. Take the car to a garage you trust: it knows what to check and speaks the same technical language as the adjuster.

Parts: original or equivalent

The adjuster may base the repair on original parts or on equivalent-quality parts, depending on the policy and the type of part. Ask what has been allowed in your case, especially on newer cars or safety-related parts.

If you disagree

The assessment may seem insufficient to you: a damaged part not accepted, a repair proposed where you think a replacement is needed, or the value given to your car in a total loss seems low. In that case:

• Ask them to explain their reasoning and, if possible, to give you the report in writing.
• Provide evidence: photos, the garage’s estimate, invoices or adverts for equivalent cars.
• If you still can’t agree, Spanish law in many cases allows an independent counter-assessment with an adjuster you appoint. Check the conditions and costs in your policy.

At Green Car Service Tenerife we work with loss adjusters every day: we prepare the car, show the damage and argue for a proper repair. Read our loss assessment guide and find out about our insurance handling service.