I got smacked by a piece of lumber on the interstate today OH JOY! I stayed late at the office on my 1st to the last day and this is my reward.

It hit in the lower passenger side near the mesh screen and cracked the bumper. so I have 2 questions Can body shops fix something like a crack. Or should I just buy a new bumper?

Anyone know where I can shop for an oem bumper online? I just want to get an idea on the cost. So I guess thant make 3 questions. Sorry

 

Oh man that sucks. Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you can get that fixed......... OR maybe its just a sign from God telling you that he wants to see you with an aftermarket bumper. Either way good luck with everything man.

 

Thanks Dak.. You know we just had the talk about my asking the wife for forgiveness not permission.

She has a busted rear bumper that I didnt let her have fixed but in my defense she was in an accident had the bumper fixed then a week later backed into something and busted the bumper. This totally was not my fault and took the hit to keep from creating an accident.

The lumber was popped up by a sport ute and flew into my lane and didnt have any where to go so I had to tkae it on the chin.

 

Hey, look on the bright side, its better to take it on the chin then squarely in the face. A friend of mine had a steel hook (like the size you see on tow trucks) fall from the truck in front of her and hit her roof and windshield.

Important part is you avoided getting into an accident and you weren't hurt. I'm sure little man cares more about dad then dad's bumper.

 

Oh yeah no doubt about it. Trust me... it was all about survival when it happened. Plus i would have been pissed if I hrt my pretty face... You seen it and know how handsome I am tell em Dak

 

Hey if anyone is in on the group buy for the nissmo bumper and have an 05+ and wants to sell thier bumper please let me know. I prefer OB. Thanks

 

Do you have comprehensive insurance coverage? That may be the way to go. Bumper covers generally need to be replaced when they're cracked/torn.

My rear bumper cover (plus paint and labor) came out to about $700. That's not counting a rental while it was in the shop. The front is probably more.

 

yeah I am hooked up on the insurance. I didnt think about filing a claim.

 

Be careful if you file a claim. Choose your words wisely when describing the claim. If you tell them that it hit the ground first, then they will slap you with a collision claim. But if you can convince them that it fell off the truck and hit your car first, then you can get away with a comprehensive claim and avoid any premium increases. As soon as an object hits the ground, they consider it a collision with an object. But "falling objects" is comprehensive and not surchargeable. A front bumper on this car with a paint job will probably put you over your state threshold under collision. (I am an insurance agent). Good luck.

 

The difference between repairing it and a new one is not that much since they have to paint both and don't have to try to repair the damage with a replacement. Plus, unlike metal, I have been told it is harder to fix the bumper cover to look completely normal.

 

The way I explained it and as it happened was that another vehicle struck the debris and projected it towards me being I was in the center lane I had no where to go with the vehicle except stright into it.

The rep at USAA said this would not likely count against me/my premium since it was unavoidable.

Thank you for the insight and I would appreciate you take on this incident reporting.

 

Well, being that the other vehicle struck the object first and caused it to propel into your vehicle, they should be able to cover it under comprehensive. But it gets back to the "what did it hit first" scenario. For instance, if there was a board lying in the road and you came along and hit it, because couldn't avoid it (swerve) because there were cars on either side of you, they would still proabably call it collision and potentially be able to surcharge you. An animal is different though; you can hit an animal no matter how much it was your fault, they still cover it under comprehensive.

 

I feel your pain. My car is in the body shop right now. Someone backed into the right rear fenderwell/door of my car in a parking lot. At least it's covered.

Make sure you pick a good body shop. Get recommendations from people in your area. The shop should care as much about matching the paint texture as they do the paint color, or it just won't look right.

 

Yeah the debris never hit the ground before hitting me. We might just pay out of pocket any way depends on how much this is going to cost. I have a 500 dollar deduct. so if this turns into a 1000 incident I might proceed with the claim.

If I do file do I need to ask them to file it under my comprehensive policy or will they do that automatically?

Again I appreciate the exchange of knowledge you have given. Have a pleasant and prosperous day.

 

Thanks and sorry to hear about your incident. Doesn't seem to be good time sfor the sedans lately.

I am fotunate to be a member in a local G club that really communicates well with each other. And body owrk was a recent topic in the Florida G35 club forum.