Untouchable08

Well I had a small gap between my front bumper and the fender. I finally got around to tightening it up and I park at circuit city go inside and come out about 15 mintutes later and someone has hit my car and drove off. Against my better judgement I did not call insuance company because they had just raised my premiums. Fender needs to be replaced and bumper might have to be as well. Going to take it to body shop tomorrow. Does anyone know a good place to purchase a replacement (passenger side) fender and bumper? Will post pics in the morning.

bumpnzx3

I don't know who your insurance company is- but that shouldn't raise your premium. It wasn't your fault- so you won't be held responsible. That's happened to me twice- and State Farm took care of me both times. Not sure- but I think it's covered under the comprehensive section of your policy. Something to check into....

Ryanr317

That sucks. I've purchased some stuff of of autopartswarehouse.com and have had good experiences.

Midnight Koop

sorry to hear that man... but it is a little ironic because of your name: "untouchable"

Untouchable08

lol was waiting for that..heading to body shop now though so hope bumper can be saved.

TruTaing

I agree with bumpnzx3... your premiums shouldnt increase in a ghost hit and run... At long as you decided to pay for this coverage that is.... Ya might need to file a police report to verify to the insurance company that it happened, but other than that... your insurance should help ya out here...

richardlo

Depending on where you are it shouldnt go up but I understand your concern.
I was at a sporting event once and a guy backed into my hood with his Hummer, he claimed responsibility and gave all his info.
Made the claim and had the insurance companies handle it. Next thing i know I get a premium adjustment, asked why they said it was just to meet cost of living and standard adjustments in the contract that was due, purely coincidental with the fender bender but not related.
Yeah right.

Benzben

If a premium increase does happen, you can always just switch insurance companies (unless your driving history makes you really difficult to insure). It's so easy to do and there is so much competition between companies that there will almost always be at least one new company that would be willing to write a policy at your current (or maybe even better) rate.

Be prepared to be shocked at the bill from the body shop. I caught the backside of my bumper (on the very bottom) on a piece of iron rebar that was holding a parking block in place. As I backed out, it ripped a 1/2 inch to inch-long tear in the bottom lip. I put in a claim and took it to a Mercedes authorized shop. They said the entire bumper needed to be replaced (not surprising), but the final tab was somewhere in the neighborhood of $1300-1400. Even with a possible premium increase, that's a lot of money (even after a $500 deductible).

Progressive upped my premiums after that (it was arguably my fault, but how do you spot a piece of rebar and anticipate something like that). I just switched over to Geico, and even got a little bit cheaper premiums than I had before. Take THAT, Progressive.

C230 Sport Coup

I got hit in a parking lot on the rear bumper, and it put a big square ding in the center.
I lived with it for a while, didn't report it (wished I had) and finally I ordered a new rear bumper for about $375. I paid 225 to have it painted and did the install myself, so what > $600.

It was a learning experience pulling the bumper, I have a thread around here about it somewhere. Even if you DIY + a fender, you're looking at, at least a grand in damage, more like 1500. Would your premiums go up by that much?
Don't wait too long to get the police report.
And with the 05 you have the AMG bumpers...they're like $900 +.
Report it.

Untouchable08

Got the police report today and I am going to call the Insurance company tom. Went to a few body shops today and got an estimate in the 1300-1450 range for a new fender and painting the fender, bumper, hood and door to blend it. They said the bumper can be used again but needs some repair but some just said it would be better to get a new one. Since im filing a claim I mite as well try to get a new bumper and fender as well as paint everything in the front to blend it. But that depends on the insurance guy and what he approves i guess.

C230 Sport Coup

Go for the new bumper.
Then after your deductable, you should have enough to get it all done.
You can likely DIY some of it, if you want, and then get it painted.
I think the front fenders just bolt on our cars. Bumper DIY is around here somewhere.