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So I am nitpicking but my brand new ML350 got rear ended a few days back and I took it to a MB certified shop and they gave me an estimate of around $1600 which included "fixing" the bumper.
They said replacing it would be too expensive $2000 and insurance would never approve it. I argued that it was a brand new car and now it's bumpers integrity is questionable and has a visible crack (though you have to look closely)....It is not a whole lot but I would rather have it replaced than fixed. He sighed and huffed and said they'll try to get an adjustor from State Farm (MY insurance company) to come by and take a look and decide whether or not they will approve that.
I don't get it though, my insurance company won't replace it because they would have to get the money back from the other party's insurance (21st century insurance)? I am attaching a pic, besides the scrape there is an obvious crack like line which they say is very fixable.
I am still adamant that I want it replaced, after all it was a brand new car pre-accident....Does it seem reasonable? Why does State Farm have to have a say in this when I am their customer. They just want less work on their part. The paint not matching is yet another concern of mine if they decide to fix it versus replace it...
Also, been almost a week and no update from my claims department and my local agent about this....not impressed at all so far with this whole experience.
Don't know what to tell you. But by looking at the photo, you probably need to fight pretty hard to get this bumper replace from the insurance company. I understand it is a new car but I don't believe the insurance cares about it one way or the other. Good luck to you.
UPDATE - Looks like I got lucky, they got a go-ahead to replace the Bumper, .... but hopefully they can do a decent job on matching it to the rest of the car...
That's great.
Does your MB dealer have a body shop?
Get the warranty details on the paint as what looks good today may not a year from now. Both color and sheen of the clear coat can vary with time.
Congrats
Thanks =) I will double check on the warranty details but atleast the website states that they are responsible for lifetime of their fixes
Originally Posted by DFW01E55
That's great.
Does your MB dealer have a body shop?
No...unfortunately no dealership in the Bay area has their own body shop. They do refer to Mercedes certified shops (I found one which worked with my insurance and had good reviews thanks to Joe70 on this forum - https://mbworld.org/forums/6120172-post6.html)
It was going to go on the record even if they didn't replace the bumper, the pre-bumper estimate was already around $1700.
From what I've heard so far, people have asked to keep a copy of pics of the damage and the estimate invoice to show the damage was not extensive. I might even go the Diminished value claim, as mythical as it is from what I heard but doesn't hurt me from pursuing it through the other party now that the insurance companies agreed they were at fault.
Dunno..his call..maybe a cosmetic paint touchup may be a better choice in this situation
I just re-read your comment and realized that you might be thinking that Bumper was the only thing damaged...actually there were other parts that were damaged too (the chrome below it, the pad between the two, the towing cover) so all those were getting replaced as well.
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Post-not-at-fault rear-end, Insurance won't replace Bumper?
