Small Front Bumper Scratch (Backed into)
 

Today I was very angry to find a scratch on my front bumper. As this is my first brand new car I am very protective and paranoid of something like this happening. I figured this was done by someone backing into me and I was luckily enough to find the car right away that hit me. It happened at my apartment complex by someone that lives there.

Attached is a picture of my car and a picture of the suspected car that hit me. I'm 99% sure this is the car that hit me as the paint transfer is the same color as my car and it is fresh on their car. Plus I went as far as measuring the height of the scratches on each car, both are the same height off the ground. I am guessing the person didn't even know it happened based on how small the scratch is and the fact that it's and SUV. I left them a note on their car to contact me.

So my questions/concerns are:
1. Is this something some touch up paint can fix? If so, how much would a dealership (or body shop) charge to do this as I am not comfortable doing it myself.

2. This seems like something that doesn't need to be reported to the insurance company, but I guess that depends on how much it costs and how (if) the person decides they want to pay for it. It's a lease so again I am not sure how the dealership treats small things like this when it's turned in.

3. I've never had to deal with a situation like this. If the person denies it or never contacts me, how should I proceed? Seeing as this is a pretty small scratch to me it may seem silly to contact the cops if they deny it but I don't know. I defintely want it fixed one way or another.

Thanks!

This is minor...no need to report it or have it on your insurance...will be less than your premiums most likely to fix it. If it doesn't bother you to look at it...when before your lease turn it to fix it in case you have more issues to fix down the line. The option is the dealer depending on how nice they are will leave it wear and tear or charge you a few hundred dollars. During the lease turn in inspection...you can accept the charges or fix it yourself and then go for another inspection. Do the lease inspection a few weeks before your turn in date if you want to address fixing it. Hope that helps.

Yeah that helps with my lease concerns. I definitely want to get it fixed. Even though it's small, I'll notice it every time I look at my car. Plus I am afraid of paint pealing off around it. In my last car I had a similar scratch (a little bigger) and eventually the paint around it started peeling. I'm not sure if that was just a case of crappy paint but it has me paranoid.

I had the exact same thing happen to me today. The person who hit me wasn't there when I saw it. I hope it works out for you :)

What do you think will happen when the fix the paint? It's going to be sanded down and then primed and then painted and color blended. So if the paint is going to get worse...okay... again it's up to you if you can wait...if you fix it now and then someone hits you again? You want to pay again? If that doesn't bother you then do it quickly...if not wait until you are close to your lease turn in. The damage is done...is what you can live with.

If someone backed into you, THEY should be the one paying for it. It won't affect your insurance premiums. Looks like you know who hit you, so shouldn't be hard to claim. You got pics too, so I hope you got their plate.

However, it should be very easy to fix w/ touch up paint, but you'll need to learn how to do it properly. It's not a simple "glob on paint" fix. there's plenty of info on how to use touch up paint.

As for future issues, you may want to look into Xpel or some sort of clear bra for your bumper.

If I do make a claim is the evidence I have enough for it to go through onto them? The owner of the other car has yet to contact me and their car has moved since so I know they have read the note. I gave them the benefit of the doubt but I have a feeling they are playing the whole "I don't know what you are talking about" deal.

You file with your insurance, your insurance will either:
1. Attempt to get their insurance involved and go through that whole process getting statements form the other driver, etc. Pics will help here, and they may or may not own up to it. Either way, insurance will battle it out on your behalf.

2. Write it off and just fix your car (regardless, should be considered comprehensive coverage, since you were not even in your car.

Either way, you shouldn't be charged a deductible since it's their fault. As long as you're not accident-prone or have a lot of speeding tickets (considered high risk), then you might as well utilize your insurance, since you're paying for it anyways. At least that's the way I see things...