Definitions are operational explanations and do not replace case-specific legal or technical assessment.
Automotive claims management
Commercial and operational control of the complete claim process from intake to cash receipt.
R-SOS
Management consulting diagnostic for identifying, evaluating and neutralising profit leakage in the repair business.
SchadenNetzwerk
Operational digital claims portal and claims file for the individual customer case.
Digital claims file
A structured, timestamped evidence and status record linked to one unique case.
Repair Cost Coverage Confirmation (RKÜ)
A German process document used to record the repair-cost coverage and customer instruction route; its precise legal effect depends on wording and case.
RDG role traffic light
An operational model for separating factual workshop work, controlled preparation and legal advice or enforcement under the German Legal Services Act.
Claims deduction management
The documented process for classifying, evidencing, deciding and escalating deductions.
Days to Cash
The time between the defined service or invoice milestone and receipt of payment.
Contribution margin
Revenue remaining after variable costs, used to cover fixed costs and profit.
Liability claim
A third-party claim against the liable party or liability insurer.
Comprehensive claim
A first-party claim under the vehicle owner’s own partial or full comprehensive policy.
Automotive damage assessor
A technically qualified professional who records and evaluates vehicle damage and relevant values.
Vehicle damage assessment
A structured technical assessment of damage, repair route, cost and relevant values.
Loss of use
Compensation for inability to use a vehicle where the German legal requirements are met and no replacement vehicle is used for the same period.
Diminished value
A possible post-repair reduction in market or technical value.
Residual value
The value of the damaged vehicle in its unrepaired state.
Replacement value
The amount required to obtain an equivalent replacement vehicle under the applicable assessment framework.
130% rule
A German case-law framework permitting repair above replacement value only under defined conditions.
Notional settlement
Settlement on calculated repair costs without an actual repair invoice.
Transfer costs
Costs of moving a vehicle to an external body, paint or specialist operation.
OEM parts surcharge
A surcharge on manufacturer-recommended parts pricing, subject to evidence and case-specific assessment.
Repair-shop risk
German case-law principles allocating certain risks of the commissioned repair process.
Duty to mitigate loss
The injured party’s obligation under section 254 BGB to avoid unreasonable and preventable loss.
Liability split
The percentage allocation of responsibility where more than one party contributes to the event.
Follow-up control
A documented next action, date and accountable owner for an open case or receivable.
Evidence chain
The traceable sequence of facts, photographs, approvals, instructions, operations and communication supporting the case.
Frank Roll, MSc, MBA
Automotive claims management specialist working at the interface between dealerships, insurers, automotive damage assessors and legal professionals since 1998. Author of Schadenmanagement im Autohaus and developer of the R-SOS management consulting system.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · The specialist book is currently available in German.