Front bumper repair needs $600 ?

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 05:53 am Post Subject:

If the "scratch" goes into the plastic then the bumper needs to be replaced. That is $600 easy.

You can settle with the other person's carrier. Though, its state law to exchange contact and insurance information at the time of the accident. If you were willing to pay the other carrier 100% of their demand _quickly_ I don't see why they would not accept it. Though, almost always people want to jerk the carrier around.

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 06:18 am Post Subject:

Hi tcope,

Thanks a lot for your reply.
If I go to my insurance company, the total cost will be more ?
I've heard that in case of car insurance, you should not involve the insurance company unless the damage you made is over $1500.

Is it true ?

Thanks,
tono

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:25 pm Post Subject:

.
.


tcope,

If a Claimant handed you an estimate of $600.oo to repair a scratch on a bumper cover on an 16 year old car....

Would you....

(1) cut a check for $600.oo

OR

(2) tell them you know of at least 3 local shops that will repair it for $300.oo, so that is all you are required to pay and all you will pay.

Be honest..

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 02:11 pm Post Subject:

Obviously I havent seen the bumper, but a bumper cover can easily and absolutely be repaired if its a scratch..even a deep one, sometimes even if torn. this is an I-CAR recommended proceedure, any decent body shop can do this. I cant imagine how a shopping cart could do much more than a scratch, should pay to remove and reinstall the bumper cover, maybe an hour for the repair, paint and clear the bumper. thats it...cant see it being over $300. If you are the appraisal may include prior damage.

I'm willing to bet they simply want the money and probably won't fix the damage...which is fine, it's their car. But only pay what you owe; not an inflated appraisal. Go to a couple reputable shops and get a real appraisal. make sure you are not paying for prior damage on that bumper

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 05:35 pm Post Subject:

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for your replies.
I've heard that it might be good idea to mention about
commissioner to the insurance company.
Do you think if it'll work ?
Insurance companies don't want to be reported to
the commissioner ? (I don't know anything about
commissioner, though)

Since the insurance company told me that I can not do
anything other than paying the full amount, I want to have
any power to change their mind.

Thanks,
tono

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 10:40 pm Post Subject:

the insurance company will pay reasonable and necessary repairs. your question was about paying out of pocket and if $600 seemed reasonable. in my opinion, it seems a bit high w/o further info or documentation...the insurance commission regulates insurance companies, they arent the problem at this point. cant imagine what good they would be unless you are having trouble w/ your carrier.

this is a civil issue, you wronged another, from the info you have provided, you simply need to find out what is reasonable to indemnify (put back in prior loss condition) the other party. if you can settle it w/ $600 or less, if it were me, i wouldnt involve the insurance company b/c i wouldnt want to lose my safe driver discount and potentially be surcharged for the minute claim.

however, your insurance comany should cover the loss if thats the direction you want. they will protect you and simply pay reasonable repairs. most policies state you have a reasonableamount of time to inform them of a loss, so make an informed decision as soon as you can as to the direction you want to take.

Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2010 11:30 pm Post Subject:

Ok, here's the thing guys...we haven't seen this bumper cover...nor do we know where the OP is from or what the prevailing rates in her area are..I wrote a quick sheet to O/H , repair 1.0hr and refinish the frt cover on this car--I get $417.20 at 48.00/28.00 rates, 7.700% tax on parts only...maybe the spoiler/deflector got damaged...maybe they need all 17 clips @3.13 each, maybe the license plate brkt needs replaced @ 41.68 for an OEM one...I don't think the 600 bucks is off at all...course what do I know :roll:

Furthermore, the other guys insurance company wrote the estimate...do you really think they wrote an inflated estimate? HIGHLY unlikely, and most shops would tell you it would be a first! :lol: ...I've seen bumper covers hit by carts that had to be replaced...WAY too many variables without seeing the car.

It all comes down to this, you were negligent, therefore liable for the damages you caused to this persons vehicle. You want to pay it out of pocket to avoid a rate increase, I get that...(by the way most carriers have a threshold for 'chargeable accidents' before they generate a rate increase usually 500 bucks or so) You are (IMO) in no place to argue the cost of this repair. ESPECIALLY since an adjuster wrote this sheet. It's not like the guy got fifteen estimates and gave you his/her highest one...You can't take pictures you took with your phone, (I'm assuming) to a shop and have them give you an iron clad, gauranteed, "this is what it will cost for 'US' to fix it"...and a shop that would do this, is foolish, I personally wouldn't let them fix my grandkids trikes...it's impossible to give an accurate estimate like this..a

Since the insurance company told me that I can not do anything other than paying the full amount, I want to have any power to change their mind.

tcope,

If a Claimant handed you an estimate of $600.oo to repair a scratch on a bumper cover on an 16 year old car....

Would you....

(1) cut a check for $600.oo

OR

(2) tell them you know of at least 3 local shops that will repair it for $300.oo, so that is all you are required to pay and all you will pay.

Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 12:31 am Post Subject:

im w/ you Lori, we are speculating w/o seeing the car and ALL the facts...

but based on the info provided, im not buying there is that much work. and replacing a spoiler damaged from a shopping cart? lol. the mechanics arent there. something isnt adding up somewhere...guess i'd have to see the car. in addition, you dont have to O/H the bumper on a simple scratch repair, most of the time it can be repaired on the car and loosening the bumper, but even for a serious repair: simply r&I the bumper cover, 1 hr on the repair, paint/clear. shouldnt be more that a few hundred bucks...minimal tax on the paint used, no tax on labor. i come behind new appraisers over-paying all the time. (and no im not perfect either) its not common they over paid. I've also heard that inexperienced body shops in some areas simply are not trained on bumper cover repairs so that could be the case....but to avoid further speculation, lets simply look at the info provided and the mechanics: those bumpers are made for a 5mph 3-4k lb car hitting them w/ minimal damage....a shopping cart is only going to do so much to a bumper cover...i just cant imagine it being $600, but maybe the shopping carts are bigger and doing more damage in ya'lls area?
:-)

the burdon of proof is on the other car to show that the damage is substantiated and reasonable. Dont pay for prior damage...Love to see the photos of the car!

Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 02:31 am Post Subject:

We are discussing the OP's HOMEOWNER'S policy as the coverage for shopping cart damage to a third party's vehicle, aren't we?

a shopping cart is only going to do so much to a bumper cover...i just cant imagine it being $600

Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2010 03:21 am Post Subject:

Discussing his liability in general and what's reasonable for repair...whether his auto or homeowner would cover it. Good point regarding covg tho...this could very well be an HO claim, not sure the auto would extend anyway.