So I got rear-ended last night by some poor kid who was freaking out so much that I think he genuinely felt worse than I did about the whole thing. Had the top down, so was pretty startling even though it was a pretty low-speed bump. Feared the worst anyway, but was shocked to find seemingly no damage other than a scuff and small gouge from the other car's license plate. We moved to a parking lot to better assess the damage and unfortunately found a very slight convex crease about 10" long on the bumper cover from where it was pressed into the actual bumper. Poor kid is in a new 2018 Mitsubishi Mirage and says he has like a $1,000 deductible and is asking if he can pay out of pocket instead rather than pay the deductible and have his premiums go up. I told him I'm going to have it checked out to confirm there's no internal damage, but even if there isn't, I can't imagine any way it would be less than $1,000 to do anything other than just re-spraying the bumper cover which wouldn't solve the crease. I'm pretty sure that he's misunderstanding his policy and that the deductible doesn't apply to liability coverage, but my dilemma is whether or not to give the kid some sort of break. I suspect the dealer or body shop is ultimately going to say a new bumper cover is necessary, but it's such a slight cosmetic thing that I feel kind of petty claiming it and saddling the kid with a sizable liability claim. But then again, we are talking about my otherwise pristine baby. If it were almost any other car I've owned, I wouldn't have even taken down his insurance info. What would you guys do?

BTW, when I say "kid" I don't mean like a teenager on Mom and Dad's policy. I mean like a young guy who you can tell is just starting out on his own --first job, first new car, etc. Poor guy was just so apologetic and distressed, and I'm pretty sure it wasn't an act. I really wish it had been some douche in a BMW so I wouldn't have any qualms about maxing out his policy.

 

Awww aren't you sweet?

Personally if he's old enough to drive and in a 2018 car, he's doing alright and should have to pay for whatever is necessary.

Once he does I think you'll find he'll be more careful in the future

Just my tuppence.

 

Should be a simple job to respray the bumper cover. Any good auto body shop should be able to do this for you. Do check functions of any sensors located in the bumper cover.

 

So you'd be willing to live with the crease?

 

My thoughts on this... If he files on his insurance your vehicle will now register as being in an accident, when that is more like the smallest of fender benders... So your value just dropped... Or you could let him fix it out of pocket and not report such a small incident... It will most likely cost him more than his deductible though, so that would have to be his decision if he wants to pay more out of pocket or file a claim on his insurance and have rates possible go up.
Here is one example of a rear bumper you could get that appears to be in good shape but might still need a respray before fitting....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-Bumper...wAAOSwkhNaqsLu

 

 

Sorry for your accident.
1) Very nice of you to consider things from his point of view.
2) It's probably cheaper for him to fix out of pocket than to pay increased premiums on his insurance due to an accident.
3) If he fixes out of pocket, it may keep the accident from showing up on carfax, which is advantageous to you if you sell. Better to provide the purchaser with pics of the very minor damage in full disclosure than to have an accident on your carfax.

If you are comfortable with him paying for the repair in advance at a quality shop, why not? It will save both of you money as long as you're sure there isn't any damage to sensors, etc.

Either way, getting an estimate would be a good first step, as well as getting his admission of guilt on video/recorded call or in writing.

Good luck....

Peter

 

Speaking from experience with one very similar here. I thought my rear end damage was very minimal too....only had scuffs and a small hole punched in the plastic bumper cover. Very low speed, no air bags etc. However, it turned out costing the other driver's insurance company (State Farm...and they absolutely suck) over $18K in the end. It turned out that the inner body and rear quarter was bent & had to be replaced. Like you, it was my baby so I wanted nothing but the best for repair so had it done at an authorized Jag repair shop. (I took a bath when I sold the car because of the damager history and SF refused dimished value on)

The point is, you won't know what the actual damage is until they begin tearing parts off and if there is damage to anything that does not bolt on it must be done using a shop that is Jag certified!

 

Man, I don't know about "Dude has finances"........
The loan payments would be just over $225 per month. That's like the cheapest a person can get a car. Kids buy NEW cars so they don't ever have to worry about covering costs of breakdowns, as they all have that long included warranty. That's what my daughter does..... buy new so it actually costs LESS, per month anyway.

I also agree that having a mild squish may affect your car value.
ALSO agree that it would probably be more like $3000 for repair.
I don't think the kid's insurance would go up much as a result of reporting.
Lots of stuff to consider.
And you could get your repairs done at a shop that doesn't report such incidences to Car Fax places.

 

Yea, I think it's exactly his choice of new car that makes me feel kind of sorry for the guy. He bought the epitome of an econobox trying to be as sensible and practical as possible, which I find sort of admirable but also very sad at the same time for a guy in his early 20s.

As far as my car goes, PWPACP's story is what has me more worried now.

 

#1. That will cost more than $1k to fix unless you go over to East Plano and someone them fill it and paint it. Not recommended for your otherwise perfect car IMO
#2. My friend bought a Benz bumper off ebay and installed it himself. Still would need to be painted. Probably about $1K in the end.
#3. What pwpacp said. There are crush-able items behind the bumper. If you said it felt worse than it actually was, the dampers behind the bumpers did their job and are probably spent right now. I'd agree with the $3k estimate minimum...
#4. All that said, you will get a ding on your carfax report if you/he claims it. You can show the minimal damage and the repair pics and invoice when selling it but that won't help if some people don't even look at vehicles that show previous damage...

Also, there is no way that kid's insurance will not go up if he claims it. At that age and a rear end accident that he is at fault. It's gonna go up.

Tough position to be in for you considering the Carfax only. Otherwise, I't make the claim and get it fixed. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

I would get 3 estimates from reputable body shops and present them to the kid. If he is willing to write you a check to cover the cost then I would take it and walk away. If he doesn't or can't afford to pay then turn in the accident and get it covered by his policy.

 

There is a good reason for freaking out. Insurance for a young male driver is already astronomically high, add at-fault accident and you likely going to double his monthly payment. Also consider that finances for nearly all Millennials are super tight, this might as well push him over the edge and into payday loans.

To me, circumstances matter.

Was he busy on his smartphone when he rear-ended your car that was stopped at the red light? If yes, throw a book at him or he will do it again to someone else and maybe with more damage and injuries. If this was a result of cascading high speed braking and he almost avoided it, but your car simply out-stopped his cheap econobx, then let him go.

 

I wouldn't take a check but would take cash and cash only after the estimates. I had the same issue on my rear bumper though it was a crack instead of a crease and two holes from license plate screws on the car that hit me. Bumper was removed, repaired and reinstalled for $600. Better to take cash than to file a claim for something so minor.

 

I noted that you're in Georgia, one of the few states that by statute requires insurance companies to cover diminished value claims. I wonder why State Farm denied it.
https://diminishedvalueofgeorgia.com...inished_value/

 

Creases, cracks and penetrations to plastic bumper covers are routinely repaired by auto dealerships as prep to selling a used car. There exists in every large metro area roving/portable "shops" that do this repair on dealers' lots. Cost is very affordable.

 

I'd look into heating the bumper from the inside and working the crease out. Might get lucky and almost be a paint-less repair. Good body shop should be able to give good advice. I'd be leery of the swap and spray places.

Per the kids age, stuff happens and that's why you have insurance.

According to my agent younger girls are more expensive to insure since texting became popular.

 

Also, how bad did his car look? That would help gauge how hard he hit you and help assume the condition of the inner bumpers.

 

You advised me before on what steps to take and I appeciate all of the insight you gave me at the time.
SF just plaing gave me the cold shoulder (I think because they knew they messed up by not totalling it to begin with) and essentially said to sue them if I thought I had a case. I still have all of the data and am aware I'm still well within the 3 year window so maybe I'll get an itch to just take em on. In the mean time though, I advertise against SF when ever I can. lol

 

Personally, from what I am able to see.....I would not be filing any insurance claim. If the driver that hit you will not pay to repaint, repair, and reinstall the rear bumper cover....I'd just have it done myself. Not worth the aggravation to notify my insurance company for such a small claim. I always try to keep Ins companies out of every small claim. You'll pay for it with increased premiums in the long run. Ins companies are not stupid. Good luck and let us know how you make out.