Should I make an insurance claim on this?

[SoulAssassin]

2005 BMW 645Ci

I pulled in the garage and didn't pull in quite far enough apparently. Hit the button to lower the garage door which came down all the way, I let off the brake and the car moved back an inch or two when I released it into the door.

You can see damage in 3 spots. Near the left center of the picture, it's not dented per se but you can see it cracked the paint into a cross. Then to the right hand side at the top and bottom edge of the lips. All are through the paint into what I presume is fiberglass.

$500 deductible and while small I'm guessing the damage is more than that and will likely need a new bumper + paint. There is a shop near me that only works on Benz's, Bimmers, etc. They aren't cheap but they do very good work. I have a feeling it's going to me much more than $500 to fix (I'm betting $2K for a new bumper) and even paying the deductible and if my insurance creeps up a bit I'm still ahead of the game. One speeding ticket on my insurance and last (and probably only) claim was 2003. I'm guessing since it was only my vehicle on private property I own the claim would be very simple. I'm at fault obviously but they should pay and handle everything.

Pic:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_gjGwkbA7...Kw/s640/0721091800.jpg

Also, I need to wash it. Black cars suck. 😉


cliffs:
see pic
backed into garage door
make claim?

 

[amdhunter]

Noooooo. A good body shop can fix that for a couple of hundred dollars. You don't need a new bumper lol. If you go through insurance, it probably won't be near your deductible and it will be out of pocket anyway.

EDIT: I just saw you mention it is fiberglass. Ouch. 🙁 I am not sure what that would cost to fix.

 

[Bignate603]

I wouldn't file a claim until you get a quote on how much it will take to fix it compared to your deductible. If it's less than the deductible, or even a little more than you're deductible I wouldn't get even report it to your insurance.

 

[bruceb]

That bumper cover is not fiberglass. It is urethane. You can get it repainted for about $500 or so depending on the shop. I would not go thru your insurance.

 

[dud]

Terrible picture ... so bad I can't imagine what the damage really is.

As for the insurance, go for it if you want to pay your deductible plus the fact that your rates might go up.

let it go ...

 

[thescreensavers]

If there's a dent you can try the Dry ice trick.

 

[SparkyJJO]

New bumper because you bumped the garage door? Highly doubt it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

 

[Safeway]

That is an easy, easy fix. A friend of mine does at-home work on luxury cars, and contracts with multiple dealerships to fix anything from scratches to telephone pole accidents.

He'd charge $100 to $200 to fix it all. I'm sure there are people like that up north.

 

[ja1484]

For chrissakes, get a quote first. ANY insurance claim works against you. I'd be willing you can get that fixed well below your deductable.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Alright so I think we have a consensus, I'll get a quote first. I know it's a bad pic but I was pretty sure it was going to run >$500. We'll see.