I became a victim of a hit and run car accident this New Year's Day when some driver smashed the front of his car into my rear bumper and scraped some paint onto the side of my 2010 blizzpearl Prius while pulling out the parking spot to the left of mine. Unfortunately, he left no information, and the thin plastic shield of his bumper was left at the scene, but nothing else. I filed a police report, and I'm wondering what I should do next. Should I take my car to the dealership or file an insurance claim? My bumper definitely needs to replaced and I'm not too sure how the paint can be removed.. Any advice/help would be greatly appreciated!
Dealership probably will tell you to take it to your body shop. Go ahead and file a claim, insurance company will want a copy of a police report. I am guessing the bodyshop will have to strip the paint off the areas and repaint it. Plus, have both the insurance adjuster and body shop inspect for and dents or warps in the metal that may not be directly visible.
the Toyota reps might send you to their Toyota certified repair center. my experience was.... OK... hassle free and they knew everything about my car (back in 05)... i needed the car and didn't have them fix a "gapping" issue i addressed with my body panels. (front bumper and right headlight)
Bananaboi: So sorry that happened to you! Please know that Blizzard Pearl is *the* hardest paint to match on the new Pri's so it's very important you go to a Toyota certified bodyshop knowledgeable about matching this paint. DO NOT go to any ol' bodyshop and expect they will be able to match the paint because they won't. Have it handled as a claim and be prepared for about a 1 week turnaround for bumper order/delivery and paint work.
I have to say that after many years of having body work done both at franchised dealers and independent shops the best quality of work is usually at a competent independent shop. Some dealers are excellent, but getting the names of shops that do custom, quality work usually beats the heck out of most dealers shops, in my opinion. I had a Cadillac STS and later a Lincoln LS in their versions of Pearl white and it was awful to match the paint color. The dealers shops tried in vain. If you are ever in Miami, I can vouch for the Collision Solution in South Miami. They matched my wife's Lexus GS350 pearl white perfectly. Can't tell where that dope hit her.
I just recently had my IV (black) repaired at a certified Toyota collision center. My situation was (much) worse than yours, and my rationale was that the car is so new parts/paint/whatever would be easier to come by at the Toyota collision center. Maybe I'm right, maybe not. I think they did a pretty decent job (although now I have those dang dash rattles everyone's been talking about--the price to pay, I guess). Bummer about the hit and run. It shouldn't count against your insurance (you'd have to pay the comp deductible, but no 'points' if there's a police report with it). All that said, I've had excellent body work done at independent places, too, and would probably go there if the car was not a brand new redesign. It's always a good idea to get references, so they know that if they don't do you right, word gets around to others. Good luck! - Tim
Well last night I joined the ranks of the "hit and run". My beautiful Blizzard Pearl now has a long brown gash down the side and the side view mirror was ripped off. The car was parked on the side of the street and I was not there to see what happened. This is what I'm doing. After filing a police report and talking to my insurance agent, I took my car to my Toyota dealer which happens to also be a Toyota certified collision center. I am now going through the estimate/insurance adjusters process, but I will have my car repaired here. They said that they guarantee their work for the life of the car while it is still owned by the original owner. They also said there will be no issue with matching the Blizzard Pearl paint. I will let you know how that works out. Every single panel from bumper to bumper needs to be repaired. I am very sad...not even a door ding from the grocery store parking lot after 8 months of ownership!!
That is awful. I just hate when my "new" car gets dinged, much less crunched. Just make sure you pick up the car when the light is good and don't accept it if it is not perfect. You have the right to have your car returned to the condition that it was in before the accident.
