Haven't had my PiP for even six months but it's injured now. It was an extremely slow speed accident but here's the damage. Looks like it might be a pricey repair since the thick metal part is bent and I'll need a whole new front bumper and everything associated with it. I've been driving over 20 years and it's my first accident. Just wanted to share my sadness.
Very sorry for your loss. Most shops would automatically replace the entire plastic bumper cover and paint it. If the metal bumper is not bent too badly perhaps they would straighten it, but chances are they would want to sell you a new bumper to go under the cover. Then there is also the matter of the bumper shock absorbers that go in but don't come back out. If they have been compressed, they would need to be replaced also. Why not see if you can slip something thin into the cut bumper cover and pop it back into place? After some compound and wax you may decide that you can live with it.
My condolences for your car injury ............. I would repair it properly with a new replacement bumper skin and paint.
Got the quote from the place my insurance sent me to. They said "At least $3,000 and could be much more depending what they find when they open it up". He said the bumper, bumper cover, foam all need replacing. And he said whatever is under the bumper probably got pushed back so the sky is the limit for damages. Was also quoted 2 weeks or more for the repair, depending what they find. Oh and I'm required by law to trash the expensive car seat I had in the car too.
But you just pay the deductible, no? FWIW, it looks to me like a lightly pranged front bumper. And I don't understand the last sentence.
I wouldn't have thought of that - they make you get rid of car child seats that have been in an accident in case they are compromised in some way. Seems ridiculous for a fender bender though.
Yeah I just have to pay the deductible but I assume the higher the costs the more my policy will go up. I could be wrong. California law requires car seats to be discarded after any wreck.
Sorry about your accidence! I would be very tempted to pull the plastic cover out. May need to (CAREFULLY) use a heat gun. Then try filling the hole, polish smooth, compound the area, then maybe see what needs to be done with the paint. There are some very good aftermarket touch up paint and clear coat options these days. $3k and up is infuriating. And an insurance premium hike is almost guaranteed if you have them pay. The money you may save now by turning it in will be recouped by the insurance company in only a year or two with premium increases. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Assuming you decide to get it replaced, you might want to consider getting the HOV sticker off the bumper. I read that a replacement set requires sending in all 4 originals, although if it's just the front I assume you wouldn't bother getting them replaced. Any accident sucks, but the important thing is always that everyone involved is okay, as the rest can be replaced.
I considered not fixing it or trying myself but the repair shop gave me the speech about it not being safe and hidden dangers are lurking and I shouldn't drive it much more without fixing it.
Of course they did. They want the several thousand dollar repair job Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
If it's coming out of your pocket I could see getting a second opinion more so. With insurance claim, I do not know. Things are really different in BC, basically one "big brother" insurance, and the claim process very streamlined, everything handled through accredited body shops, they do the assessment and all discussion with big bro.
I finally got approved by my insurance to get the car fixed. I notice on the quote it says that the quote is for parts not provided by the manufacturer but by a 3rd party. Is this common to not use OEM parts? I realize OEM probably costs a whole lot extra.
i'm not sure which way is more common. sometimes it matters and sometimes it doesn't. i wouldn't care myself, as long as the repair was done properly. interestingly, my wife's hycam has had 2 new oem front bumper skins, and neither will stay on. the body guy swears there is nothing wrong underneath. time for a third try, and toyota isn't accepting responsibility for defective skins.
Car is almost fixed. Total was $3500. Sounds a bit insane for a bumper to bumper crash at less than 5mph. They replaced the whole bumper cover, foam, steel bumper, one headlight, and had to "do some extra work to tweak the alignment on the side". I only paid my deductible but I'll surely be paying this all back on my new premium next year. To top matters off I had to remove my carpool stickers and send them into the DMV since one was getting destroyed with the bumper. I sent the old stickers back via certified mail and the mail got lost. Now I have to figure it out with the DMV how/if I can get new carpool stickers since they are assuming I'm trying to do something sketchy despite all my proof and testimony.
