993 just got tapped. Discuss my options.
 

An absenminded man in a very large and raised Chevy Silverado backed into me today while in the local grocery store parking lot. His trailer hitch took a bite out of my front bumper cover. He had passed an aisle and then stopped, looking like he wanted to back up and turn into the aisle. He didn't signal and I was unsure of his intentions. When I saw the reverse lights go on, I leaned on my horn. I don't think there was enough time for me to throw in reverse and be sure no pedestrians were behind me between when I saw his reverse lights go on and when I realized he wasn't hearing my perfectly working horn.

When he got out of the truck, I said, "How could you not hear my horn?" And I walked back to lean on the horn while he stood in front of the car. He just said he couldn't hear it. So we exchanged info and he asked me to call him with an estimate before going to his insurer, Farmer's.

I wanted a Euro front bumper cover anyway, so now I'll get one. Patrick Motorsport said to tell the guy $2200 - $1600 for bumper and paint and then install and various hardware bits. Sound about right? The guy who hit me said he hadn't had an accident in 40 yrs., so I doubt they're gonna do much to his rates for something like this. And he probably won't want to pay that kind of $$ out of pocket.

FWIW, he was driving his friend's truck and he took me back to his friend's house to get his own insurance card out of his own truck in his friend's garage. I got license, registration and insurance, pretty sure he's on the up and up.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1311036367.jpg

Looks much worse in person than in the photo. Bumper cover is punctured. I havev a clear bra on there too. I don't want a bondo repair.

1600 for bumper and clear bra??

$1308 for the bumper, $325-400 for prep and paint. I installed the clear bra myself, but I'd want another on there once the paint cured. R&R will be a few hours labor, so $2200 sounds like high retail to me.

Options? 7.62x45, 9mm, lead pipe...

It does sound a little high@1300. I just had to get the bumper on mine replaced (stone chips and general road wear) and that sounds what I was quoted for a GT2 bumper. Is that what you are getting?

Did you show him your Sig P239???

I was wearing my HK UPS Compact today.

The bumper for $1308 is new. I'm not inclined to do a whole lot of bargain shopping for the guy, but I don't want to get nickled and dimed by Farmer's either.

I imagine they have the pricing for a new stock bumper cover, paint, etc. You'll negotiate a final number with them based on estimates and do what you want with the check. If the part you want costs more, then you'll need to cover the difference.

First off, I'm surprised Joe Bubba is still walking w/o a limp.

Second, only douche nozzles buy from Patrick Motorsports.

Third, documenting this on the internet ain't the smartest thing......

You're gonna get what the adjuster gives. You can argue for some more if you have the time. Take the check and do what you want to do. Looks like $800 to me.

You are entitled to OEM parts, stand your ground. Bondo is not an option.

Wouldn't you be worried about the guy denying it a day later?

Milt is right, you will get what the adjuster says. Yes, you can negotiate up, but do NOT shop for a lower price for them. The shopping is your ace in the hole so that you know if the price is acceptable or not. I think when it's all said and done, you're probably looking at $1300 to $1800 total rather easily with that.

No insurance company is going to do anything with that bumper skin but replace it. You can weld them and fill them. It's not bondo you use, it's a two-part super stinky product that is the same material as the bumper. Problem is, that body shops really don't do body work any more. They paint and hang new panels. It's easier, faster, and that's just how it's done now.

Have the check issued to yourself and spend it as you choose.

angela

Maybe. But the cops wouldn't come if I called them over this. I'm sure we're on surveillance video somewhere, as it was right in front of the store entrance.

I don't know how that's gonna get replaced for $800. A new bumper, even the US version is over $1000, plus paint and labor to R&R. I'm not DIY'ing this and trying to pocket anything. And I'm not taking it to Earl Scheib.

BTW, I have about four phone numbers stored in my iPhone the guy tried to call because it wasn't his truck and he didn't have his insurance ID with him. I don't think he can deny this one.

Rick, in most states, the insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. So contacting his insurance will likely get you nowhere. You need to find out who his friend's insurance company is.

Well, I'll call him tomorrow. I took pictures of the truck and license plate. I also went to the guy's house, who owns the truck. I'm not real worried.

Yeah, if someone has been driving for 40+ years accident-free, you are most likely not dealing with the kind of guy who will play games.

That blows. Sorry to hear this. I can't advise you on what to do insurance wise, but I wish you the best of luck.

You're really lucky that it did not connect with your hood and/or front fender and really cause a paint-matching nightmare. Bumper covers are a piece of cake, they rarely match perfectly on any car unless it's showroom new.