Rear bumper repaint question

[Flipz]

Hi,

I just got involved in an accident with my Eclipse GS 1999. An SUV hit the car behind me and that car hit my rear bumper. No dents but the paint is scratch quite a bit so I am thinking of repainting the whole bumper since their liability will pay for it anyway. I have a few questions about it:

1. How fast does the insurance company usually sends the check for the damage and how would they know how much to send me? Sorry if this question is stupid but this is my first time in an accident that is not my fault

2. My color is stock Midnight Silver. I was wondering whether I could have the bumper repainted at Macco or any other similar body shop and achieve the original stock color or I would need to go to a special place. Also can you tell me how much did you paid for your bumper repaint (many people just repaint that because it receives the most scratches and dents with the front one ).

Thank you,

Svetlin

 

[n0c7]

Well first off its going to depend on your insurance company. Usually the insurance company of the person at fault will tell you to get estimates done(take it to a few different expensive shops, your not paying). Then you should be the one with the power to decide where to take it, hey its your car and not your fault.

As for paint matching, take it to a reputable shop. Maaco isnt exactly known for quality. The average price to refinish and repaint a bumper is probably going to run you $400US at a good shop and also you should factor in the price for a rental car as they'll need to keep your car for a few days.

Hope this helps.

 

[Flipz]

Hi,

The problem is that there were 4 cars in the accident:

Me <- Mazda <- Ford Explorer <- BMW 3 series

I saw the ford hitting the mazda which hit me on the back but I am not sure whether the BMW was involved to the Ford too etc. so which company will pay for the repaint. I want to repaint it as soon as possible but without knowing who and when will pay it, I do not know what to do. As far as the price, $400-$500 is what I thought at first too. Do you think I will need to get a few estimates or I can just do it in the shop I trust - I have these guys working on my car since I have them and never got problems with them so I think they will do the best job.

Thanks,

Svetlin

 

[n0c7]

The choice should be yours on where to take it, but unfortunately I would wait until everything is settled and you know whos insurance company is paying. I don't know the conditions of the accident and who was at fault(thats for the police to decide) so as long as your car is still driveable I would tough it out. If you feel the shop you are dealing with is trustworthy and in the event you arent satisifed with their workmanship you need to know that will warrant their work. Accidents suck

 

[RWKustoms]

I would say just wait first until everything is settled just as n0c7 stated..Accidents do suck but you wanna make sure somebody's gonna pay up if they're at fault..As for as your bumper is concerned it should cost between $150 and $300 to repaint it (at least in my neck of the woods) but that shouldnt be a big deal if you're not paying.

 

[bzzzt]

I'm not sure who your ins. company is but typically your ins. will have shops that they work with, they are typically pretty good shops (at least that's the case with my allstate coverage) i would just go to one of the ones they suggest, preferably one you may already be familiar with.

You can cash out and take it to any shop you want, but typically the shops that work with your ins. company give you a better rate since you are going through them. (i.e a shop that may normally charge 75 an hour labor may charge only 65 an hour for an ins. job) so yes, you will have cash in your pocket and the ability to go wherever you want if you cash out, but you may not get as good a rate now that you're "out on your own".

Whoever said at least 400 for the bumper repaint sounds about right to me. Especially if there is scarring/scratching on the bumper that needs to be repaired first. Labor, in this area anyway, is astronomical now. They will total lower value cars out for just being keyed these days because the labor is SO expensive to repaint it. It's just cheaper to cut a check and send you on your way......

Oh, and PS i would only use Maaco if i was having a light colored beater repainted, and was planning on doing the prep myself. Those guys can spray their asses off, that's all they do, but they do minimal prepwork. On a nicer car, only having a panel or 2 resprayed, go with a good quality shop.

 

[Flipz]

Thanks guys,

I am still waiting for my insurance adjuster to call, I got a call from the one of the big SUV which I think caused the accident but no word from mine - I am with a sucky insurance company I guess - Viking Insurance, and I will switch it at earliest convenience but until then I would want to settle that thing and have the bumper redone. I used some touch-up paint to cover it up for the time until I repaint it and it doesn't look that bad but still it reveals a partial damage

P.S Are all insurance companies having these body shops or only the reknown ones? Viking isn't as big as Geico or Mercury. I will ask them when I get a call from my adjuster.

Thanks,

Svetlin

 

[bzzzt]

P.S Are all insurance companies having these body shops or only the reknown ones? Viking isn't as big as Geico or Mercury. I will ask them when I get a call from my adjuster.

Thanks,

Svetlin

That's actually a good question. I've had both Mercury and Allstate, however i've only made claims through allstate, so i don't know if all other insurance companys have their "pro-shops" as Allstate calls them.

 

[Attack Eagle]

technically the mazda is at fault for stoppiong to closely. You are supposed to see where the tires hit the ground ofthe car ahead of you... this is usually about 6-7 ft clearance.

This is the thing. Do you still have to pay your deductible? I got hit by a honda in the rear bumper back last october or so and I never bothered filing a claim. I figured after deductible they'd end up paying <$100 and I'd end up paying the $500 deductible andthen paying another $500 in increased premiums. I just left their red paint on the rear bumper as a warning to other motorists to stay back

 

[Flipz]

Hi,

I am not sure about my deductable but you made an interesting point - do I get my premium increased even though the accident wasn't my fault?