MBGirl2007

Good afternoon,

My MIL backed into my car, with her truck that has a hitch, and put a deep scratch/gouge in my front bumper. I've received a few quotes from reputable body shops. One would replace the front bumper cover and paint, and the other two will repair it and paint. Currently waiting on another estimate.

I'm not sure if I should have it replaced, or just have it repaired (removed, repaired, painted).

Below is a picture of the damage, it's a little deeper than what the picture is showing. Also, the paint cracked around the side of the headlight.


Thanks,
Sharlene

phister

Save the money and just get it fixed it doesn't look too bad. Is her insurance going to pay for it? If so tell them to cut you the check for the amount to replace the bumper and repaint and you'll take it to your own shop and just get it fixed and save the rest. Don't let the insurance make the check to the shop.

MBGirl2007

My MIL wants to pay in cash and not go through insurance, but she doesn't know how much it is going to be yet. The last time I got backed into by another person, the bumper cover was replaced, their insurance paid, and cut the shop a check, but there was a lot more damage. I'll see what happens when I tell her how much, whether she chooses out of pocket or insurance. For fixing I've been quoted $700 from a small shop to repair, $900 for a bigger shop to repair, and $1200 for another bigger shop to replace.

tommy

It doesn't look bad enough to me to warrant replacing. Did the one shop give you any justification for why they recommended that?

Biggest question is how much you like your MIL.

04mbc230

If the other party wants to pay out of pocket. You can do this.

Just bring the car to a body shop. Let them inspect it throughly and give you an estimate. That way, you can't miss anything or wished you seek more.

If the other party refuses, then you can always go back to insurance. Make sure you got their insurance information though, take pictures, note the incident. Get copies of Proof of insurance, registration and driver's license. Those are the main 3 things to get first whenever one get into an accident. Of course, pictures if you have a camera.

Best of luck.

TexFinn

All good info, but I'm sure OP has all the necessary info as he is talking about his mother-in-law after all.

tommy

Watch who you're calling "he".

04mbc230

Well played sir. Well played.

TexFinn

Oops... Sorry...

Norwichdelta06

was your car in an accident prior? Because it looks like the paint is cracking? Or am i just looking at it differently? Bumper paint is not suppose to crack like that because of the flex agent? Or maybe its just a bad picture?

MBGirl2007

My front bumper cover was replaced a new years ago from another individual backing into me.

MBGirl2007

I've brought my car to 3 body shops. Two say repair, and one said replace. Another body shops I emailed them the photo since I'd need to take off work early for them to inspect my car, said to replace. My MIL is honest, she'll either pay out of pocket, or go through insurance.

FrankW

just have it repaired. doesn't look too bad in the pic.

those quotes from the body shop are overpriced however. those kind of repair and repaint is $400-450 tops.

phister

My friends shop would charge around 400 to do it since they would fix the bumper then blend the paint. they would probably paint 1/2-3/4 of the bumper instead of the whole thing and blend the fender too.