How much does stupidity cost?

Get it fixed and wear the cost of the deductible, if you don't you will lose money when it is time to trade up in a few years anyway. Why drive a bashed up looking car and pay for the damage anyway?

 

I don't get it - please would you explain what exactly do you mean by "feathering" between N and R? I thought that if I want to select neutral I have to hold the lever there for at least three seconds, and if I want to select reverse (or drive for that matter) that I have to stop and stomp on the brake pedal before the system allows me to make the selection. Is there any other way?

I would be very grateful for some more detailed explanation please . Thanks!

 

I just use the brake to back up slowly. Works fine for me.

 

This techique was suggested by Hobit. I'm just trying to make sure it's safe (to go into N while still reversing).

 

This is eerily similar to how mine looked after a girl backed into it in a parking lot. My bumper was scratched/gouged out pretty good and the tail light was cracked. To replace the bumper and paint it (not sure if it came painted or not) and replace the tail light was $780 - per Geico's estimate and the shop did the work for that price. Luckily the other party's insurance paid, but I agree with many of the other posters on here - eat the deductible and have a like new car again.

 

Neutral is *always* safe to use in a Prius. Well, except when
screaming down mountain descents. It basically just shuts off
the motors, and then D or R turns them back on. Nothing about
the transmission changes except various torques passing through it.
.
_H*

 

Claiming that on insurance would be an absolute waste of money.