Would You File a Claim on a Fender Bender

I got hit the other day in stop and go traffic and my bumper took some damage and some say its not worth it to file a claim but I am going to cause I want it fix but would you. I see alot of people driving around with damage to their car and I just cant do it. It drives me insane .

pic of the damage Betty took


Looks like most will buff out but top ruber part will need to be replaced.

EDIT. Sorry the other driver INS was expired and have to go though mine.

 

Probably. I'd prefer a mechanic look at it and make sure nothing else is fucked up.

 

You got hit. Shouldn't the other guy's insurance pay for it?

 

You got the insurance info of the person who hit you, right?

If not, what's your deductible? You can always take it to a body shop for repair quote and then decide if it's worth filing the claim. Insurance will likely try to raise your premiums come renewal time if you do file, so keep that in mind.

You'd be surprised how small damages to body pieces can really add up. I'd be after the person who hit me.

 

Might not be worth it in the long run if it raises your rates over time more than it would have cost you to get it fixed.

 

Does the automobile insurance system work differently in New Mexico or something? If you have the guy’s information just call your insurance, they’ll tell you to go get some quotes and then you can get it fixed. Because this was a rear ending the other driver should be 100% at fault so his insurance would be responsible, including paying for your deductible, and it shouldn’t impact your premiums whatsoever.

 

only if he's at fault. If he properly documented the accident and was found not at fault he doesnt pay a cent.

 

get your insurance to fix it for you, if you get hit from behind its always the other guys fault, every single time

 

His INS expired 3 wks ago and now have to go though my Uninsured motorist. So 250 out of my pocket.

 

Sometimes the slightest push will warp the side panels in front of it. Trucks have extra cushion on bumper impacts though. I backed into a tree with the right tail lamp and thought it only crushed the light. Weeks later I realized it had slightly rippled the whole goddamn side of the bed.

Get a good bodyshop to inspect it, its free. Body damage on a bed will cause the cost to go from $500 to 3500 real quick.

 

I had a similar amount of damage on my wife's 2016 RAV-4. I thought it would cheap and easy, but the insurance recommended shop (associated with my dealership) said the whole rear quarter panel should be replaced (slight buckling and scrapes) and came in at something over $2000. So glad I filed the claim instead of just waving it off to eat the cost later.

 

you sound poor

 

Why wouldn't you file if it's someone else's fault?

 

And yea, I would file a claim. Bastard has to pay for what he did to Betty!

 

I would get what I deserved.
A rearend for a rearend.

 

Do you have uninsured motorist coverage?

My youngest was sitting at a fairly busy intersection with a 4 way stop and got rear-ended. Upon first look it wasn't too bad, but she got the insurance info from the driver and we contacted his insurance about possibly filing a claim. He had asked that we let him know the cost to see if he could cover it without filing a claim. We did and he said to proceed with filing a claim. We have 2 years to get the completed under the claim #.

I'm hoping to get it done when my wife and youngest are traveling on a school trip in July.

 

I'd probably get it fixed if that's your deductible.

 

I would have said no, but a few years ago a friend got into one. No big deal right?

Fast forward a bit after the accident, he takes his PT cruiser in b/c its not running right, and they tell him that something in the engine got pushed back and the car was bssically a write off based on how much it would cost to fix.

If not file a claim, I would have it checked out for sure.

 

If I can avoid reporting anything to insurance I would.

Their insurance, my insurance -- we should try to take care of this outside of insurance. I never used to believe that until I spoke to an insurance rep who said that if you're INVOLVED in three reported accidents within five years, you're automatically placed in a higher risk category. This may factor less if you're continuing coverage, but if you change coverage for whatever reason it'll be part of your assessment. Insurance is for when you CAN'T pay, when damages and injuries are far beyond what you can cover. In Event of Emergency.

The key here is an autobody guy you can trust. They're out there, but yeah good luck.

 

i don't understand why you wouldn't get it fixed through their insurance..

at the minimum.. you get a a check for the damage