Need new bumper because of an accident - what to do?

[alexg]

Hi,

Short story shorter, I got rearended and need a new bumper. Damage is minor, size of a pop can, but bumper is torn. I have other driver's details.

My question is, should I go through insurance or not? I fear this might show up as an "accident" on my carfax when I go sell the car, so it could be cheaper for me to pay for the bumper myself vs loosing value on the car.

What do you think?

[mazdaskit]

Hi,

Short story shorter, I got rearended and need a new bumper. Damage is minor, size of a pop can, but bumper is torn. I have other driver's details.

My question is, should I go through insurance or not? I fear this might show up as an "accident" on my carfax when I go sell the car, so it could be cheaper for me to pay for the bumper myself vs loosing value on the car.

What do you think?

Get three quotes on fixing it... choose the cheapest and tell the guy thats how much it is too fix it

[MSMitch]

go through insurance IMO - the hassle of the guy who hit you saying "that's too much, I'm not gonna pay" etc. I understand your concern, but shoudlsomeone find out you DID fix it without saying anything...
Unless it was your dad who hit your car (i.e., you KNOW they will fix it) - I don't trust anyone as far as I can throw their car!

P.S. Don't choose the cheapest or most expensive, choose the best!

[Donutz]

Go through insurance.

[alexg]

I wouldn't even try getting money from the other guy, I understand how it is...

I'm thinking about eating the cost because it could potentially be less than value loss on the car because of reported accident. That's what I'm really curious about.

[jaimie08mazda3]

Go through insurance man. I am not saying it will happen but it could be a guy who will never return your calls and your car will never get fixed.. this way it is done and over with.

[mazdaskit]

if someone hits him its the guy who hit him is the one whos insurance goes up not the on that was hit right

[jaimie08mazda3]

if someone hits him its the guy who hit him is the one whos insurance goes up not the on that was hit right

Exactly... your insurance won't even be affected.. they will only need it for the records. But if the insurance doesn't pay a penny then you have nothing to worry about.

[mazdaskit]

Exactly... your insurance won't even be affected.. they will only need it for the records. But if the insurance doesn't pay a penny then you have nothing to worry about.

then id go thought the insurance... i alway thought you make that call then your insurance goes though the roof too lol

[jaimie08mazda3]

then id go thought the insurance... i alway thought you make that call then your insurance goes though the roof too lol

It will only go through the roof if you are making a claim to your own damages made by yourself or if you hit someone. And all tickets that have points on them. But if someone else hits you and goes through their insurance... then you are home free.

[alexg]

Fellas, I very much appreciate you feedback, but I think I'm not communicating my question well. I'm not worried about my insurance, I understand it's "not at fault" for me.

I'm talking about the distant time in the future when I decide to sell my car and somebody looks up carfax/carproof on it and sees that it has one accident... that would affect my resale value, right? So I'm wondering is it better for me to eat the cost in this case? It would probably be 1-1.5k I figure, but it wouldn't show up on my car history.

[She_Prime]

I've personally just replaced my rear bumper and doing it through Oakville Mazda (getting TM3 discount) I paid just over $500 for the part and for it to be painted.

That gives you a rough estimate right there...

[mazdaskit]

Fellas, I very much appreciate you feedback, but I think I'm not communicating my question well. I'm not worried about my insurance, I understand it's "not at fault" for me.

I'm talking about the distant time in the future when I decide to sell my car and somebody looks up carfax/carproof on it and sees that it has one accident... that would affect my resale value, right? So I'm wondering is it better for me to eat the cost in this case? It would probably be 1-1.5k I figure, but it wouldn't show up on my car history.

any body shop will add your vin to there computer which goes onto the government stuff... UNLESS correct me if im wrong know someone that has one and can do everything under the table and no paper work with lic # vin#'s etc... bc when i bought my car they said a older lady had it and scratch was repairs on the roof due to a small tree branch did it and it was on the car fax

[jaimie08mazda3]

Fellas, I very much appreciate you feedback, but I think I'm not communicating my question well. I'm not worried about my insurance, I understand it's "not at fault" for me.

I'm talking about the distant time in the future when I decide to sell my car and somebody looks up carfax/carproof on it and sees that it has one accident... that would affect my resale value, right? So I'm wondering is it better for me to eat the cost in this case? It would probably be 1-1.5k I figure, but it wouldn't show up on my car history.

Hmm that is a good question because there could have been other things that were affected from being rear ended... I would talk to the insurance company about that. I never realized that.... uhoh... oh well I do not plan on selling my car anytime soon.

[MSMitch]

Fellas, I very much appreciate you feedback, but I think I'm not communicating my question well. I'm not worried about my insurance, I understand it's "not at fault" for me.

I'm talking about the distant time in the future when I decide to sell my car and somebody looks up carfax/carproof on it and sees that it has one accident... that would affect my resale value, right? So I'm wondering is it better for me to eat the cost in this case? It would probably be 1-1.5k I figure, but it wouldn't show up on my car history.

Still go through insurance (the guys not gonna pay, and your asking for more headaches and problems) - but take pics of the car before and keep all documentation - better to be upfront about the repair, as opposed to someone noticing or finding out at a later time there were repairs and you did not report it - that would make you look a lot more untrusting. Percentage of car value, probably won't affect you later on down the road - less so, than say a Porsche that was in an accident trying to re-sell it...

[alexg]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll go through the insurance.

[Uni-Body]

any body shop will add your vin to there computer which goes onto the government stuff... UNLESS correct me if im wrong know someone that has one and can do everything under the table and no paper work with lic # vin#'s etc... bc when i bought my car they said a older lady had it and scratch was repairs on the roof due to a small tree branch did it and it was on the car fax

We need your VIN for accurate part pricing and paint codes etc., but we have no obligation to report your work done privately to any government office. If you're going through insurance your damage and where the work was done will go on public record, as insurance is obligated to do so. Also if you go to a police reporting centre they will keep the damage on record as well.

Now with the new dealer law, all dealers would be able to look up prior reported damage on the vehicle, and assess the value based on the damage and where it was repaired. Lots of factors determine the value, including OEM vs aftermarket parts.

We just replaced a front bumper on bukjoe's Mazda 3, and I'll post those pics right now. From our conversation I believe he was very happy with our work. I'd be very happy to give you an estimate and try to help you out. If going through insurance I would need to see the vehicle in person and we would deal with your insurance directly.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=252