This question is not related to Toyota in particular. But I got a bad dent on the back door of my 2009 Corolla (not my fault) . Mechanic says that the skin needs to be replaced - total damages $750.
Do you guys think I should claim insurance or just get it fixed out of my pocket (to avoid bad Carfax history and decrease in valuation due to accident) ?
Shop around a little more for some estimates. I wouldnt go through insurance unless its alot more then that. Depends how bad it is and how bad you wanna get it fixed but your rate will most likely go up too.
$750 is really cheap! Definitely find out if they will be blending the paint on your front door, rocker panel, and rear quarter. If not the difference in color will stick out like a sore thumb! Also try some junk yards and see if they have a rear door. It is generally cheaper if you can get a used door and replace the entire thing than to change the skin for a new oem one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OkSlim
If you got a formal quote , it is already on carfax
How much is your deductible?
Not true. We give quotes all day and they do not go on carfax.
I'd probably do an insurance claim, unless it messes with your deductible or anything else. If you have a deductible that low, you are paying top dollar for it so you might as well use it. Unless its one of those ones that go down over time.
Remember with the whole carfax thing, if it even ever DOES pop up on the carfax you have to think about whether you intend to keep the car for 3-5 years or 10 years. In 3-5 years a hit on the carfax report might be important. At 10 years the car isn't worth much and the amount you might lose could easily be less than the 500$ difference. There's also the chance that god forbid it gets totaled later in life, and you'd wish you had saved the money. Although I never had that specific problem, I owned a 2001 eclipse from new. Had that happened in it's first year and I paid out of pocket, I would have lost money. The car ended up with ridiculous paint peel starting in 05 and was traded for $750 at 8 1/2 years old. (I probably could have put money into it and gotten a bit more out of it, but it had other problems and I was desperate for something in good shape)
I guess my point is you never know what is in store down the road, so unless you are dumping the car in a few years, I'd pay the least possible and be glad!
Also, would a side impact be as bad in a Car's history as a front impact would be?
It really depends on the repair. We stand behind our repairs for life period. Paint, craftmanship, and everything in writing. If you have the repair guaranteed in writing then a buyer shouldn't be wary of it. BTW don't let them tell you that they stand behind their work. Ask for it in writing.
On a side note. We just got a Ford Fusion that may be totaled from a POT HOLE. No "body damage" just undercarriage and frame.
I'd probably do an insurance claim, unless it messes with your deductible or anything else. If you have a deductible that low, you are paying top dollar for it so you might as well use it. Unless its one of those ones that go down over time.
Remember with the whole carfax thing, if it even ever DOES pop up on the carfax you have to think about whether you intend to keep the car for 3-5 years or 10 years. In 3-5 years a hit on the carfax report might be important. At 10 years the car isn't worth much and the amount you might lose could easily be less than the 500$ difference. There's also the chance that god forbid it gets totaled later in life, and you'd wish you had saved the money. Although I never had that specific problem, I owned a 2001 eclipse from new. Had that happened in it's first year and I paid out of pocket, I would have lost money. The car ended up with ridiculous paint peel starting in 05 and was traded for $750 at 8 1/2 years old. (I probably could have put money into it and gotten a bit more out of it, but it had other problems and I was desperate for something in good shape)
I guess my point is you never know what is in store down the road, so unless you are dumping the car in a few years, I'd pay the least possible and be glad!
Yeah...I thought about this...I am thinking I might have to sell the car in a couple of years
It really depends on the repair. We stand behind our repairs for life period. Paint, craftmanship, and everything in writing. If you have the repair guaranteed in writing then a buyer shouldn't be wary of it. BTW don't let them tell you that they stand behind their work. Ask for it in writing.
On a side note. We just got a Ford Fusion that may be totaled from a POT HOLE. No "body damage" just undercarriage and frame.
I will try to upload some pics over the weekend when I am back home...I am out of town on work...
The body shop actually gave me two options...1) hammer the dent ($500), 2) install a new skin ($750)...they are claiming that either ways the car will look like as new...
I am wondering which one to go for if I am spending out of my pocket.
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Bad Dent
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