Originally Posted by quarryninja (Post 3446496)

So last week I was stopped in a red light and all of a sudden the guy in front of me shifts into reverse and hits my front bumper. :mad:

The damage amounted to only a small dent and some paint scratches (keep in mind that my Z was only a weak old at the time).

After dealing with the paperwork and waiting for things to get sorted out with the insurance company the verdict was that they were not going to change the bumper, the dealer said they were only going to fix and respray. If this happened to you would you settle for this? Or would you demand a new bumper? Will the repair leave it just as good as new? Something I should specifically check for (quality wise) when I get the car back to know if they did a good job?

I know I probably won't notice anything after they fix it, but deep down I'll still know that my baby had a dent in it. :shakes head:

Bonus question:
I am planning on getting it Xpel'd soon. If this were to have happened with the Xpel on does your insurance cover that cost as well?

Hope to get some input from you guys.

Originally Posted by quarryninja (Post 3446496)

So last week I was stopped in a red light and all of a sudden the guy in front of me shifts into reverse and hits my front bumper. :mad:



The damage amounted to only a small dent and some paint scratches (keep in mind that my Z was only a weak old at the time).



After dealing with the paperwork and waiting for things to get sorted out with the insurance company the verdict was that they were not going to change the bumper, the dealer said they were only going to fix and respray. If this happened to you would you settle for this? Or would you demand a new bumper? Will the repair leave it just as good as new? Something I should specifically check for (quality wise) when I get the car back to know if they did a good job?



I know I probably won't notice anything after they fix it, but deep down I'll still know that my baby had a dent in it. :shakes head:



Bonus question:

I am planning on getting it Xpel'd soon. If this were to have happened with the Xpel on does your insurance cover that cost as well?



Hope to get some input from you guys.

Originally Posted by quarryninja (Post 3446496)

So last week I was stopped in a red light and all of a sudden the guy in front of me shifts into reverse and hits my front bumper. :mad:



The damage amounted to only a small dent and some paint scratches (keep in mind that my Z was only a weak old at the time).



After dealing with the paperwork and waiting for things to get sorted out with the insurance company the verdict was that they were not going to change the bumper, the dealer said they were only going to fix and respray. If this happened to you would you settle for this? Or would you demand a new bumper? Will the repair leave it just as good as new? Something I should specifically check for (quality wise) when I get the car back to know if they did a good job?



I know I probably won't notice anything after they fix it, but deep down I'll still know that my baby had a dent in it. :shakes head:



Bonus question:

I am planning on getting it Xpel'd soon. If this were to have happened with the Xpel on does your insurance cover that cost as well?



Hope to get some input from you guys.

Originally Posted by B&W_Evader (Post 3446511)

I'm a picky mo-fo and I've done a lot of body and paint so I see everything.

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09 (Post 3446588)

I'm the same way. People tell me how great my car looks and all I see are the flaws. Even brand-new (and expensive) cars are so orange peeled it's pathetic. Nobody believes in wet-sanding these days. Then again, most people don't even notice.:shakes head:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z (Post 3446623)

Why are you taking it to a dealership for body repairs? Do you buy cars at a body shop?

Take it to a body shop and get it done right.

Originally Posted by kenchan (Post 3446624)

some dealers have an in-house bodyshop..

Originally Posted by mults (Post 3446608)

The only trouble I see with a respray is that in a few years, the original paint and the respray may oxidize/wear at different rates. If so, the paint may not match the original. I vote for a new bumper.

I had my Mother-in-laws bumper fixed a few years ago, and the body shop did an amazing job at repairing/matching the original paint. Trouble is, we sold it right after that, so I don't know how well the repair held up. A few pictures of before and after attached. This was way more than a little scratch...

Originally Posted by axmea? (Post 3446629)

Insurance company's obligation is to repair unless virtually impossible to fix. You can demand all you want but they are not obligated to replace. What they are not allowed to do is hand it back to you and it is not to your liking because it is not visually and functionally back to its original state. If not fixed or repaired to your standard, they must fix.

Originally Posted by quarryninja (Post 3446612)

I'm part of the club as well. I would not want to have myself as a customer.



I care about my cars more than I care about myself.

When I get it back I'm going to inspect every inch to make sure it's perfect or else I'm not leaving there without a new bumper.

Originally Posted by birdman71 (Post 3446595)

Coming from someone in the insurance business, keep pushing for the new bumper. What is insurance company's settlement offer they are willing to pay you for the damage? as of right now.



Just because if their estimate is $750 in damage and they are going to "fix and respray" at the dealership, that's kinda screwed from the start. Have the two most unhelpful sides trying to fix your car.

You can request a settlement payout in the end and a check is mailed to you usually. At that point you can use the insurance money to buy a new bumper, whether it be OEM or Aftermarket. If you're lucky and find one in your color and in great condition you may even save money.



This also depends on what insurance company you have filed the claim through. I already assume you filed the claim through his insurance company to begin with and are waiting to use your own company to avoid having to pay the deductible and time of subrogation.



I would also take the car into a local body shop you know and see what kind of estimate they can give you on the damage. See if the insurance company is lowballing you and if they are, at that point you can go back to the insurance company and say that you have a shop that you want to use to be able to repair the damages. Still get the payout amount just cause you'll be able to spend the money on making the car back to the way you want it.

The dealership nor the insurance company care about whether or not you have a pristine front bumper, even if the car is brand new.



These are California regulations and each state varies, but I would assume they still have a settlement payout option and SHOULD (not is) be the same regarding a body shop for repairs. In CA and at State Farm we have Select Service Shops that are of 4+ star reputation and has all the requirements to be a Select Shop. If a customer wants to use a different shop, we cannot tell them no. Bottom line. Don't know specifics of your state though.

Originally Posted by mults (Post 3446608)

The only trouble I see with a respray is that in a few years, the original paint and the respray may oxidize/wear at different rates. If so, the paint may not match the original. I vote for a new bumper.

I had my Mother-in-laws bumper fixed a few years ago, and the body shop did an amazing job at repairing/matching the original paint. Trouble is, we sold it right after that, so I don't know how well the repair held up. A few pictures of before and after attached. This was way more than a little scratch...