Repair question :(

[Ayame]

So I come hanging my head in shame. I managed to misjudge a reverse out of a bay and had an altercation with a VW Golf. My insurance is handling the other claim as I was a good girl and left my details,(I was absolutely mortified and I've gone over my dash cam to see my mistake and to avoid that in future) but I'm now left with damage to mine and an excess of 650 as a new driver. 

Now here was I thinking that the job wouldn't be anywhere near that but I have had two quotes which put it as pretty much in the 600 to 700 range for repairing of a scratched and slightly dented body coloured plastic bumper and black textured wheel arch. 

I'm due to have the car collected on Tuesday by Admiral's approved repairer for a quote but I'm really not sure what to do now for the best. If I need to swallow it and pay the 650 as well as Increased premiums so be it as I'm totally at fault here. 😭

Edit - just had one Toyota approved garage estimate it at two grand as they would replace the whole bumper and trim?!

Edited November 7 by Ayame

[Mushu84]

Hi Amanda,

For the black plastic trim I do not know any fix that can be done on it 

For the front bumper any dealer would not just repair part of it, they would just paint a new one and install it in the car as it is more easier for them

Our older Toyota colleagues maybe know if this can be fixed privately at a lower cost 

[Bper]

Hi Amanda,It sounds like you’ve been responsible but it's frustrating with the costs adding up. Since Admiral is set to collect the car on Tuesday, I’d suggest waiting to see what they estimate. Sometimes insurance approved repairers have set rates that can come out a bit lower than expected.

If their quote comes back high, it might be worth asking Admiral about a cash settlement. Some insurers will offer a cash payout so you can repair the car yourself at a garage you trust. This could save them money and might allow you to find a more affordable repair option.

Besides the £600–£700 quotes you’ve already gotten, it’s also a good idea to check with a few more body shops. Smaller, independent garages can work out cheaper than the manufacturer approved ones, especially for cosmetic fixes. You could also ask about repair only options. Some garages are willing to repair plastic parts like bumpers instead of replacing them entirely, which can save quite a bit. If they focus on just the damaged area, they might be able to smooth out dents and repaint for much less than a full part replacement.

Since your excess is already £650, you’re almost paying that out of pocket anyway. If the final cost is close to your excess, it may be worth just paying it yourself to avoid a claim, which could keep your premiums from increasing next year. It’s also worth calling Admiral to see if this accident will affect your premium. For smaller incidents, sometimes avoiding the claim can keep your rate lower something to consider as a new driver.👍

[Ayame]

5 hours ago, Mushu84 said:

Hi Amanda,

For the black plastic trim I do not know any fix that can be done on it 

For the front bumper any dealer would not just repair part of it, they would just paint a new one and install it in the car as it is more easier for them

Our older Toyota colleagues maybe know if this can be fixed privately at a lower cost 

Thank you. Looks like it's going through insurance then. A very costly mistake! And the last time I buy a nice car I think! 

[Ayame]

1 minute ago, Bper said:

Hi Amanda,It sounds like you’ve been responsible but it's frustrating with the costs adding up. Since Admiral is set to collect the car on Tuesday, I’d suggest waiting to see what they estimate. Sometimes insurance approved repairers have set rates that can come out a bit lower than expected.

If their quote comes back high, it might be worth asking Admiral about a cash settlement. Some insurers will offer a cash payout so you can repair the car yourself at a garage you trust. This could save them money and might allow you to find a more affordable repair option.

Besides the £600–£700 quotes you’ve already gotten, it’s also a good idea to check with a few more body shops. Smaller, independent garages can work out cheaper than the manufacturer approved ones, especially for cosmetic fixes. You could also ask about repair only options. Some garages are willing to repair plastic parts like bumpers instead of replacing them entirely, which can save quite a bit. If they focus on just the damaged area, they might be able to smooth out dents and repaint for much less than a full part replacement.

Since your excess is already £650, you’re almost paying that out of pocket anyway. If the final cost is close to your excess, it may be worth just paying it yourself to avoid a claim, which could keep your premiums from increasing next year. It’s also worth calling Admiral to see if this accident will affect your premium. For smaller incidents, sometimes avoiding the claim can keep your rate lower something to consider as a new driver.👍

Thank you, that's very good advice. 

[DJ123]

The black arch is £140 to buy brand new, and relatively easy to replace, if the scratches bother you. 

For the small bumper scrapes speak to someone like 'chips away' or a local bodyshop about a small repair. 

https://www.chipsaway.co.uk

[Mojo1010]

The plastic black arch can be improved with probably one of those plastic trim spray and buff it better, or some black polish. The painting chips/scratches can use paint brush/pen and polish from Halfords to touch it up if not bother about it being original quality. 

My estimate is 200-300 for a body shop to paint and respray the painted bumper. Does the 650 excess have to be paid anyway to pay for the other car's damage? Or only if you want your car repaired?

[Ayame]

4 hours ago, DJ123 said:

The black arch is £140 to buy brand new, and relatively easy to replace, if the scratches bother you. 

For the small bumper scrapes speak to someone like 'chips away' or a local bodyshop about a small repair. 

https://www.chipsaway.co.uk

Thank you. The guy local to me who used to work for chips away and is going out on his own reckons he could do it for 280. He says the black plastic could be repaired. To be honest as long as it looks passable, until I come to.reswll. not bothered about a showroom job. 

[Wiz201]

I think some of that could be buffed out, and get a quote from Chips away. I wouldn't pay for a new part unless its really necessary. 

[Ayame]

32 minutes ago, Mojo1010 said:

The plastic black arch can be improved with probably one of those plastic trim spray and buff it better, or some black polish. The painting chips/scratches can use paint brush/pen and polish from Halfords to touch it up if not bother about it being original quality. 

My estimate is 200-300 for a body shop to paint and respray the painted bumper. Does the 650 excess have to be paid anyway to pay for the other car's damage? Or only if you want your car repaired?

The excess is just for mine. The other own just increases my premiums. Admiral have said be sure there is a claim anyway, my vehicle won't affect t the premium again that much. So I either go with the guy from.chips away at 280 who says he can also repair the black trim or pay the 650 excess insurance and have them do it. Or a local bodyshop. Which would probably be about the same. 

I guess I just worry about when it comes to resale value if I don't get it fixed at an approved place. 😕

But I know the local guy is good and decent and won't rip me off. 

 

[Ayame]

4 minutes ago, Wiz201 said:

I think some of that could be buffed out, and get a quote from Chips away. I wouldn't pay for a new part unless its really necessary. 

Thank you. I'm leaning towards this option. 

[Mojo1010]

I wouldn't pay 280 for repairing the arch, the light scratches on there are minor, it will be fine with spray and black polish, get it from the likes of Halfords or local motor factor. Try it out yourself first. 

[Ayame]

1 minute ago, Mojo1010 said:

I wouldn't pay 280 for repairing the arch, the light scratches on there are minor, it will be fine with spray and black polish, get it from the likes of Halfords or local motor factor. Try it out yourself first. 

Thank you. The quote is for all of the work though which I think is pretty decent! 

[Wiz201]

yes I paid £300 from autobody repairs (like Autoglass) 8 years ago for a side bumper scratch. At the time it was £200 less than my excess.

[Heidfirst]

have you had a quote from a SMART repairer (e.g. ChipsAway)?

[Ayame]

20 minutes ago, Heidfirst said:

have you had a quote from a SMART repairer (e.g. ChipsAway)?

The quote for 280 is from the guy who used to work for chips away and is now going out on his own. That's for smart repair. I also had another one from axioma for the same price for a smart repair. 

[TonyHSD]

Hey, 

Just stop where you are and don’t rush to do anything. 
1. Your insurance knows and claim against your policy has been made. This very much limits your options to one, you will be paying excess to cover the other parties repairs, is that correct? And if yes then this excess should cover you repair too.
2. If above is not correct by any means and you need to pay additional any penny to your insurance or independent repair like dealer or body shop then just don’t do it. Even a chips away thing it’s not worth it. This is not a damage but a tiny scratches that will accumulate profits to all involved including the insurance company. 
You can fix all that by yourself, and no rush to do so because neither of the scratches can go rust or cause any further issues. 
You need to relax, stop blaming yourself, incident’s always happens even to the most professional and best drivers. We learn from mistakes and more mistakes we made better we become. 
Check would it cost anything extra with the insurance which I believe it shouldn’t, and make your mind and if you about to help yourself as diy I am happy to guide you how to, it’s super easy. I helped my gf on a brand new car with similar damage, cost her nothing. Happy days at the end. 😊 

[Hadrian1]

When I've had minor bodywork repairs that needed doing, I use Dr Bump.

He did a good job of repairing the plastic sill on our Yaris, and a door repair on our Honda a few years back.

He'll do small jobs at your house or place of work.

[Ayame]

1 minute ago, TonyHSD said:

Hey, 

Just stop where you are and don’t rush to do anything. 
1. Your insurance knows and claim against your policy has been made. This very much limits your options to one, you will be paying excess to cover the other parties repairs, is that correct? And if yes then this excess should cover you repair too.
2. If above is not correct by any means and you need to pay additional any penny to your insurance or independent repair like dealer or body shop then just don’t do it. Even a chips away thing it’s not worth it. This is not a damage but a tiny scratches that will accumulate profits to all involved including the insurance company. 
You can fix all that by yourself, and no rush to do so because neither of the scratches can go rust or cause any further issues. 
You need to relax, stop blaming yourself, incident’s always happens even to the most professional and best drivers. We learn from mistakes and more mistakes we made better we become. 
Check would it cost anything extra with the insurance which I believe it shouldn’t, and make your mind and if you about to help yourself as diy I am happy to guide you how to, it’s super easy. I helped my gf on a brand new car with similar damage, cost her nothing. Happy days at the end. 😊 

Thank you. So I wouldn't pay the excess for the third party. All that I would see of that is the increase in my premium. Morning I can do about that. They weren't in the car when I scraped it so had to give their plate details to my insurance. I would only pay the excess for my claim. The premiums won't change supposedly whether I claim for mine or not. So I am looking at either 650.and through insurance or dealing with it myself. I was only doing to do it through insurance for convenience same mostly. And reassurance of a good job. Because I am a total novice I wouldn't want to try to repair myself but I think I will opt for the local repair option. No doubt I will ding it again at some point! But I so want her to look nice. I bought it her with money my mum left me. Possibly now should have gone for an old banger but I wanted something I'd feel safe in and want to drive. 

[Ayame]

4 minutes ago, Hadrian1 said:

When I've had minor bodywork repairs that needed doing, I use Dr Bump.

He did a good job of repairing the plastic sill on our Yaris, and a door repair on our Honda a few years back.

He'll do small jobs at your house or place of work.

Thank you! I'll have a look. 🙌🏻

[TonyHSD]

14 minutes ago, Ayame said:

Thank you. So I wouldn't pay the excess for the third party. All that I would see of that is the increase in my premium. Morning I can do about that. They weren't in the car when I scraped it so had to give their plate details to my insurance. I would only pay the excess for my claim. The premiums won't change supposedly whether I claim for mine or not. So I am looking at either 650.and through insurance or dealing with it myself. I was only doing to do it through insurance for convenience same mostly. And reassurance of a good job. Because I am a total novice I wouldn't want to try to repair myself but I think I will opt for the local repair option. No doubt I will ding it again at some point! But I so want her to look nice. I bought it her with money my mum left me. Possibly now should have gone for an old banger but I wanted something I'd feel safe in and want to drive. 

That’s why just need to stop rushing and choosing a repair place or anything. 
Just deal with insurance and see to make sure what charges are and don’t go to pay anything further. 
No need to pay independent place to fix it because there is nothing, just a scratch, or there is more damage ? 
If there are only these visible scratches on te bumper and black trim , this is nothing. You can literally touch up them , same as you do your nails. The black trim repair with your hairdryer, same as you do your hair. I am not joking, plenty of video’s online. All you need to do is buy a touch up paint with brush 30 or 50 ml bottle. Wash the car carefully and thoroughly Ona dry and sunny day,, dry the car properly and apply tiny amount of pain on the scratches.  Job done. 
If this car is pcp and you need to return at the end of contract then before that you can get it fix , if not a car on finances then do diy and leave it like that for some time through your learning process of driving and maintaining car will be better idea. This is what I would suggest my daughters too. 👍

[Ayame]

1 minute ago, TonyHSD said:

That’s why just need to stop rushing and choosing a repair place or anything. 
Just deal with insurance and see to make sure what charges are and don’t go to pay anything further. 
No need to pay independent place to fix it because there is nothing, just a scratch, or there is more damage ? 
If there are only these visible scratches on te bumper and black trim , this is nothing. You can literally touch up them , same as you do your nails. The black trim repair with your hairdryer, same as you do your hair. I am not joking, plenty of video’s online. All you need to do is buy a touch up paint with brush 30 or 50 ml bottle. Wash the car carefully and thoroughly Ona dry and sunny day,, dry the car properly and apply tiny amount of pain on the scratches.  Job done. 
If this car is pcp and you need to return at the end of contract then before that you can get it fix , if not a car on finances then do diy and leave it like that for some time through your learning process of driving and maintaining car will be better idea. This is what I would suggest my daughters too. 👍

Thank you. She's paid outright so not on finance. But yes, as there is no chance of rust etc I think you're right and I'll just take my time to think about the best option. I honestly wouldn't feel comfortable attempting a repair myself. Aomwod.rbe a ratchet are a little deeper and there's also a slight dent and I wouldn't want to make it worse. But I'll shop around locally. 

[TonyHSD]

1 minute ago, Ayame said:

Thank you. She's paid outright so not on finance. But yes, as there is no chance of rust etc I think you're right and I'll just take my time to think about the best option. I honestly wouldn't feel comfortable attempting a repair myself. Aomwod.rbe a ratchet are a little deeper and there's also a slight dent and I wouldn't want to make it worse. But I'll shop around locally. 

Good.  Just don’t rush.
Think, get a quotes, see options and choose wisely. If you just wash it or clean the area with microfibre cloth and antibacterial cleaner spray Dettol for example, on both bumper and black plastic you will clean some of the scratches. Then you will see the damage is less than it looked originally. 
We can help you buy paint, YouTube can help you learn and understand how to touch it up and you will safe yourself money and gain more experience as driver and car owner. 👌
 

[Ayame]

1 minute ago, TonyHSD said:

Good.  Just don’t rush.
Think, get a quotes, see options and choose wisely. If you just wash it or clean the area with microfibre cloth and antibacterial cleaner spray Dettol for example, on both bumper and black plastic you will clean some of the scratches. Then you will see the damage is less than it looked originally. 
We can help you buy paint, YouTube can help you learn and understand how to touch it up and you will safe yourself money and gain more experience as driver and car owner. 👌
 

Thank you. I shall have a think! I've really appreciated all the advice here today. 🫶🏻😊

[TonyHSD]

5 minutes ago, Ayame said:

Thank you. I shall have a think! I've really appreciated all the advice here today. 🫶🏻😊

You are welcome.