Got into an accident...

[mysterl33]

On my way to work this morning, I rear ended a van. Thankfully, the other driver nor I were injured in this accident. There was barely any visible damage on the vans rear bumper but my camry on the other hand... I was going no more than 10mph when I rear ended the van. Now the cop said it might go through as a non-reportable accident since there was no visible damage to the van. hopefully it goes through as non-reportable since I've had a clean record for 3 years until this

I got an estimate done at a body shop near by. and the total came out to $2128.76..my car isn't in the best shape as there are a few scratches on the rear bumper, a sizable dent on the right quarter panel and small scratches here and there. i have about 109700 ish miles on it right now.

I'm waiting for the police report to come up but was wondering what I should be doing in the mean time. I can still drive it (both the cop and body shop guy said it was ok) but of course no driving at night since lights aren't aimed properly anymore.

I should report it to insurance right? and any idea if this will be totaled? NADA and KBB both say about $3200 USD

here's a picture of the damage..



thanks for any help with this.

[73sport]

Seems a tad steep unless it crushed the core support or damaged the inner unibody structure.

With used OEM parts and some paint, I'd think the cost would be half that but the picture doesn't show much. Did it change the RS door gap between the fender/door? Door still open and sound the same?

[swagger_wagon468]

if i were u... i would just find a bumper, headlight, grille, etc . in your color and install ur self. then if the support or anything is bent, get that fixed. 2200$ way to much.

glad u are ok. good luck

[havosoki]

Originally Posted by swagger_wagon468

if i were u... i would just find a bumper, headlight, grille, etc . in your color and install ur self. then if the support or anything is bent, get that fixed. 2200$ way to much.

glad u are ok. good luck

Are there any online retailers that provide factory original parts? I am in a similar situation but just need a Left Hand Drivers side mirror assembly in the original factory color (930 - Blue Dusk Pearl) for my 99 Camry.

Both of us will appreciate your thoughts

[Nervous]

Do you have full coverage? If not - insurance will not help you. In most cases it is the 100% fault of one who rear ended. Thus, you can claim only to your insurance and only in the case if you have collision coverage (otherwise - "full coverage").

It doesn't look that bad to me. The hood looks almost intact. Bumper, grill, right headlight will cost you about 500 (if you find painted bumper from junkyard then even . And you can fix it yourself. Is radiator ok?

[mysterl33]

first off, thanks for your comments/inputs

i haven't opened the hood yet since i dont know if it'll close completely.. the hood seems bent at the front tip, the RS door gap seems to be the same, both front doors open and close fine. the estimate includes after market parts. the thing that costs the most is the labor. parts dont seem too bad.

any idea if it'll get totaled? I kinda want it to get totaled but at the same time dont.. its weird.

[Nervous]

You didn't answer - do you have full coverage?

[mysterl33]

sorry didn't read that part. i have both liability and collision coverage.

and the radiator is ok. I can drive the car around just fine.

[Nervous]

Well, in this case you have a choice: use the insurance and get higher premium (since this is your fault from insurance point of view) or fix it on your own. I'd investigate how bad the damage is and then I'd shop around (if I'd not fix it by myself).

[Chris Crash]

I would definitely fix it myself. Hood looks fine. Just a new bumper cover and probably radiator support. Maybe some wiring problems...but I doubt it. Horn and lights work?

[carsrus]

Thats not bad at all visually. Headlight and corner light are pennies on fleabay, bumper is cheap online too. Look around for body shop supplier around your area. I found one in Chicago that supplies a lot of the body shops and they sell stuff dirt cheap. A headlight like that is like 35$ at one of those places and its like 40$ for the bumper cover.

Shops make bank on the parts too, thats why its costing 2200. I was recently quoted 500 to just replace my bumper, aftermarket parts too.

This doesnt look bad at all to DIY, if your deductible is over 500 I would just not tell the insurance. If the hood closes and open fine I would probally just leave it and search for a painted OEM one and just fix the bumper and light. A crowbar is your best friend in bending stuff back after something like this, thats how the shops do it.

[mysterl33]

if i dont call the insurance and my police report goes through as non-reportable, then my premiums wont go up right?

[Nervous]

If you won't get points - right. However, what is about claim of another side? If they claim -> your insurance will pay -> premium MIGHT grow (it depends on state; for example, in PA, if claim is less than 1000 they can't increase the premium).

[mysterl33]

claim on the other side is def. less than 1000 dont know how it is in jersey...

I dont think i can repair it myself since i dont have time for it. really dont know what to do.

[Nervous]

Originally Posted by mysterl33

claim on the other side is def. less than 1000

I wouldn't be so sure about this...