The rear bumper is not cracked but has a dent (about 1 inch diameter), a couple of gouges (about 3/8 inch long, not too deep) and a few paint chips down to the plastic.

Question:
1. should I have it repaired to new ccondition? Will it need a new bumper?
2. I can live with the damage with maybe some touch up paint. The assessor has yet to look at the damage. How much should I settle for (cash settlement)?

Post a photo

I wish I could post a photo. No digital camera. Sorry. Main concern is what the settlement amount should be if the bumper had to be repaired or replaced, and how many days would it take (they will also issue a check for rental car).

You were rear ended.

You get a NEW bumper, and make sure nothing else has been damaged. Many times a rear end collision will result in more than just the bumper.

This is what people pay insurance for.

You did nothing wrong and your car was damaged.

Let THEM pay to fix it!

you were rear ended.

You get a new bumper, and make sure nothing else has been damaged. Many times a rear end collision will result in more than just the bumper.

This is what people pay insurance for.

You did nothing wrong and your car was damaged.

Let them pay to fix it!

qft

You were rear ended.

You get a NEW bumper, and make sure nothing else has been damaged. Many times a rear end collision will result in more than just the bumper.

This is what people pay insurance for.

You did nothing wrong and your car was damaged.

Let THEM pay to fix it!

Absolutely 100% agree. I was rear ended (different car) about 4 years ago. Damage only appeared superficial at first, but after body shop removed the bumper and upon further review, needed about $3K additional repairs.

Good luck.

mike.

1. post a pic
2. touch up paint willl look like shit.
3. You could probably get it repaired (not replaced) for fairly cheap, few hundred bucks. Someone backed into my mom's 750Li rear bumper at Target and we had someone come out to the office and do it in our parking lot, can't even tell its there. they used a little body filler and sprayed it right there. Granted gotta find someone that knows what they're doing but once u do, it shouldn't be too expensive to just fix/paint.

I would really do wahtever it took to go through the guy's insurance, do NOT call yours FOR ANY REASON. I learned the hardway that once your insurance company pays out for anyhting on your behalf whether or not you were found at fault for the accident your premiums will likely be going up.

The nsurance of the person who hit me is paying (Geico). I want to have a general idea of the amount to settle for, if I decide to live with the damage. Thanks for all your inputs.

I learned the hardway that once your insurance company pays out for anyhting on your behalf whether or not you were found at fault for the accident your premiums will likely be going up.

Yep, and they have the nerve to call and ask me why a previous accident I was in wasn't reported. I told them because "you assholes raise my premium when I'm not at fault." They found out when the person at fault tried to say it was my fault.

The nsurance of the person who hit me is paying (Geico). I want to have a general idea of the amount to settle for, if I decide to live with the damage. Thanks for all your inputs.

Well if their insurance is paying for it, someone should come out inspect it and make an estimate. Bring the estimate to a shop of your choice, let them look over it, and they will add to it if more repairs are needed and will get back with the insurance company to see if they will adjust the estimate.

Least that's how it went for me. You shouldn't have to "settle". All damage should be fixed.

The rear bumper is not cracked but has a dent (about 1 inch diameter), a couple of gouges (about 3/8 inch long, not too deep) and a few paint chips down to the plastic.

Question:
1. should I have it repaired to new ccondition? Will it need a new bumper?
2. I can live with the damage with maybe some touch up paint. The assessor has yet to look at the damage. How much should I settle for (cash settlement)?

You really need to have the bumper removed to determine whether or not their is damage to the parts behind it. Here is a pic of the rear with the bumper removed, so you can see what I am talking about.

At a minimum, you should be entitiled to the cost of a new OEM bumper.

-Wardster

You really need to have the bumper removed to determine whether or not their is damage to the parts behind it. Here is a pic of the rear with the bumper removed, so you can see what I am talking about.

At a minimum, you should be entitiled to the cost of a new OEM bumper.

-Wardster

Thanks for the picture. I am confident that there are no damages beyond the superficial dent and chips. However, I am confident that the bumper would be replaced if I insisted on it. Her insurance will pay plus rental. My question I guess is how much cash settlement should I expect from the asssesor? I need the cash right now, if it is close to what it would cost to have Geico pay a body shop to replace the bumper+rental, I would take the cash. There is no "serious" damage to my car; The seams remain straigth, the trunk opens and closes without a problem, the license plate lite is ok, the exhaust tips were not touched. She couldn't have been going more than 5 mph when she hit me.

If all you want is cash, simply go get a couple quotes on your own (demand a new OEM bumper from each) and turn them into Geico. They should cut you a check for that amount. Whether or not you decide to have the work done is not their concern.

-Wardster

If all you want is cash, simply go get a couple quotes on your own (demand a new OEM bumper from each) and turn them into Geico. They should cut you a check for that amount. Whether or not you decide to have the work done is not their concern.

-Wardster

That's the answer I was looking for. Approximate cost of bumper? painting? labor? Thanks. The reason I am asking is that Geico apparently have their own designated appraissers and will not take independent estimates from others. I just wanted to get an idea of what to expect from their appraiser how much they would cash out instead of REPLACE the bumper. I am expecting a call from Geico's appraiser to set up an appointment to look at the damage, and issue a check for the amount on the spot. I spoke to Geico reps and this are their protocols.

That's the answer I was looking for. Approximate cost of bumper? painting? labor? Thanks. The reason I am asking is that Geico apparently have their own designated appraissers and will not take independent estimates from others.

Go get an estimate or two. The other party caused the damage. You do not have to accept their estimate. Plus, you really need to know what the cost should be.

Also, was the other driver cited? I always without hesitation call the police when an accident has occurred. I have been burned before and I won't let it happen again.

Another thought, though. If you need the cash right now it would probably be wise to get the bumper fixed and then get rid of the car. If you need a few hundred right now then there are bigger issues than the bumper damage.