So I got rear ended and there is pretty minimal damage. Wasn't my fault and the persons insurance company is covering it. I am getting a check cut for $650 which is what the estimate was from a good body shop and Geico. So the question is, do I fix it or change it out. I was looking at the C-West rear bumper, but not sure how much is would cost to paint. There is also the VIS carbon bumper but not sure if it would look like crap because there are no other carbon pieces on the car. Or should I just get it fixed and leave it be.

Opinions?

 

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Look at your estimate. Paint time there will be the same for the C-west bumper. Just add in the cost for the Cwest and take out the labor hours in repair time. Then you have what you're looking at. If its me? Fix it and let itgo.

 

An estimate is an estimate. DON'T CASH THE CHECK. Make them get you a new bumper.

 

I know this sounds stupid...but how do I make them get me a new bumper?

 

did you pop the trunk and see if theres no damage inside , floor? - hmmm i would tell them to get you new bumper not , paint it! its a new car.

 

There is no damage. It is only cosmetic.

 

Ok I work in a high-end bodyshop and let me tell you how this works. They'll start the repair as geico has it listed. Once the shop takes the old bumper off to repair they'll look and see if there is any other damage. If there is, they'll supplement Geico for them to reinspect it. Once they do they'll write another check to cover the hidden damage. Don't sweat it. And they aren't going to get you a new bumper no matter how hard you bargian for one. The only way youre getting a new bumper is if you pay the difference or the shop deems it unrepairable. Honestly tho, if there is a puncture wound in it we would replace it here at our shop. You can't get a quality lasting repair by patching plastic, that just isn't the right way to do it and so we don't.

Edit: Nothing wrong with a repair and repaint of a bumper. The paint that is put on there will be better than stock. People have this awful thought in their mind of how repairs work. If you go to a reputable respected shop it WILL be repaired to pre-accident condition.

 

Thank you so much for the input. They are a reputable place as I know others that have gotten good work done there. Geico and the shop also guarantee the work for the life of the car, and they have free loaner cars. I think I will just forget about the whole aftermarket thing since it seems like too much of a pain in the ***. Thanks for the help

 

That is more than $650 in damage. That entire bumper needs to be replaced. Then it needs to be painted. If any of the rear diffuser has scratches or dents, it also needs to be replaced (and does not need to be painted). This is closer to a $1000-1200 job.

Before you decide on anything, make sure you aren't getting screwed on the amount of the damage.

 

It's plenty repairable unless its got a good hole punched thru it. Which is looks like it may just hard to tell from the picture. He's not going to get screwed unless he cashes the check and goes to a back-yard bodyshop. Any further damage Geico will cover especially since he's the one who has been hit. The main thing is to not sign off on the finished work unless you're completely satisfied. Thats where you can get screwed.

 

That plastic bumper is creased...which makes it unrepairable. It needs to be replaced.

As soon as he accepts that $650 check, he is then agreeing to what GEICO is recommending for a fix and that's all they owe him. That's all because he's accepting a check, versus sending the car to a GEICO certified shop which will work until the customer is satisfied. Two different things. That's why it's important for him to make sure he understands what he is agreeing to if he accepts their $650 offer. What I'm saying is that the damage is more than $650 and he should ask for it to be reassessed to include replacement of the rear bumper.

 

The shop is a Geico certified shop. The adjuster for Geico is there every morning. It is a Geico Auto Repair Xpress location. They said if they need to replace the bumper they will, but from the looks of it they wont have to. There is a small wound in the bumper though. The picture makes the damage worse then it is. The accident was a 3 car rear end. A lexus hit the kia, then the kia hit me. The damage is all just from the guys license plate.

 

I deal with this all day long. Geico HAS to fix his car to pre-accident condition. If he isn't happy he can fill out an insurance report and stir it up. They know this, now he knows this. That bumper is easily repaired. I don't see what crease you speak of, just some waves but for benefit of the doubt let's say it does. A crease is still repairable without a problem within reason. The damage his bumper has is weak compared to other bumper repairs I've seen. I wouldn't have a problem having mine repaired in such condition because I know the repair will be of high quality standards (and lasting at that). Just because he takes the check doesnt mean Geico washes their hands of him. This is the big fear people have. They come in here daily with that concern. "Ma'am, its ok. Get their estimate and check and come to us. We'll work to their estimate. If there is any additional damage we add it, fax it to them and they come back out to reinspect. They'll then write another check to cover the additional repair."

 

You're going to be fine. I know our local Geico adjuster that runs the RX shop and he takes good care of his folks. No worries!