Minor accident....need some advice.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by guybo

The maximum amount of money you can get from the insurance co. is $20,000 which is peanuts in a serious crash with a multiple day hospital stay.

The max depends on the policy you carry. I'm pretty sure you can insure yourself for a higher amount. The state minimum is $10K.

This no fault crap may be going away altogether. You'll probably be happy to read this:

http://protectingyourpocket.blog.pal...an-in-florida/

They voted to repeal it earlier this year and then didn't get it passed through the full legislature. That story about the idiot kids stealing the car may push it on through in January.

[dinfern22]

Guys I’m kind of confused, do you suggest I get the fender and bumber replaced and painted, or just repair it, meaning they will just sand it down and paint, and pull out the dents.

If I do go the repair route will I be able to tell there was once damage there or if I run my fingers through the paint, will it feel different?

With this amount of damage, which is the best option for me?
Thanks!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by dinfern22

Guys I’m kind of confused, do you suggest I get the fender and bumber replaced and painted, or just repair it, meaning they will just sand it down and paint, and pull out the dents.

If I do go the repair route will I be able to tell there was once damage there or if I run my fingers through the paint, will it feel different?

With this amount of damage, which is the best option for me?
Thanks!

Your best option is to get the most out of the repair that they other guy will pay for.
That fender is completely repairable but the bumper cover will need to be replaced. If this was my car I would rather they just fix the fender since the damage is so minor. When they start replacing parts you can run into fit (notice there is no "ment" at the end of the word?) issues. The bumper cover being plastic is not very repairable. Any half decent body shop will have that looking as good as new and you will never know it was fixed. In fact the after market paint they will use will actually be better than new since it isn't as restricted as the OEM stuff.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

If this was my car I would rather they just fix the fender since the damage is so minor. When they start replacing parts you can run into fit (notice there is no "ment" at the end of the word?) issues.

This, plus your fenders will still have matching numbers.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

This, plus your fenders will still have matching numbers.

Oh I never thought of that. We don't have all the numbered parts up here.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

This, plus your fenders will still have matching numbers.

For the $5 difference it will make in the car's value.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

For the $5 difference it will make in the car's value.

Probably true. One for you.

[HKz]

i still say if op doesn't have a lien on the car just get the check from the insurance co for the bodyshop repair estimate, replace the fender + bumper from a part out and spend the difference on mods/gas

[dinfern22]

Jeez, just came back from two different auto body shops and their estimates are far more expensive than the dealerships?!?! Lol how so that possible, thought dealship was the most expensive option. One of the body shops quoted me $500 more dollars than the dealership collision center.

There is one thing though, the dealership as a 2 start rating while both the body shops have a 4-5 star rating reviews.

[Kimsey47]

I'd let those reviews speak for themselves! I myself have never used a dealer repair shop for any collision damage as my family starting using a local shop that was stated by word of mouth for being one of the best. Definitely take those reviews to heart before you take your car somewhere. They'll give you an idea of what people have had to deal with, and if the repair shop actually gave a crap to make things right if you weren't happy with how something looked.

An example of something that happened to me recently with the repair shop I use... My STI had debris from a truck take chunks out of my paint all over the hood, front fascia, and windshield. The repair shop called me on the day I was due to pick up the car to say it would be another day because the painter did not like how the hood scoop's clear coat turned out. The next day they called again because he still wasn't happy and wanted it perfect... When I got the car, I had no issues with their work because they cared to make it right before I got the car back! Oh, and let me add they had provided me their own loaner car during this extra time since they caused the delay on the repairs. Couldn't have made me happier! <- Look for reviews like this!

[dinfern22]

Originally Posted by Kimsey47

I'd let those reviews speak for themselves! I myself have never used a dealer repair shop for any collision damage as my family starting using a local shop that was stated by word of mouth for being one of the best. Definitely take those reviews to heart before you take your car somewhere. They'll give you an idea of what people have had to deal with, and if the repair shop actually gave a crap to make things right if you weren't happy with how something looked.

An example of something that happened to me recently with the repair shop I use... My STI had debris from a trunk take chunks out of my paint all over the hood, front fascia, and windshield. The repair shop called me on the day I was due to pick up the car to say it would be another day because the painter did not like how the hood scoop's clear coat turned out. The next day they called again because he still wasn't happy and wanted it perfect... When I got the car, I had no issues with their work because they cared to make it right before I got the car back! Oh, and let me add they had provided me their own loaner car during this extra time since they caused the delay on the repairs. Couldn't have made me happier! <- Look for reviews like this!

Damn, that's a good point man.

Last year my dad's passenger window was broken and decided to go to this exact dealership collision center. They ended up extending the repair time and it created such a hassle...Long story short 5 months later the window started making noise and wouldn't close properly.

I assumed they might be different with cosmetic repairs like bumper, fenders etc. But now i'm not sure with such negative reviews.

[dinfern22]

A little update guys...I ended up going with a body shop rather than the dealership, from your advice.
I just got my car back this morning and I love the results. I had the bumper and fender plus the side light replaced and you couldn’t even tell anything was done!
You guys were right the body shop had great service, waxed the whole car and cleaned it up. And they gave me a free rental as well!

Plus...the body shop didn’t drill holes into the bumper, which I always hated. Now I can use a plate relocator!

So thanks for all the suggestions guys, really appreciate it!