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 2 hours ago 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]

2 minutes 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]

33 minutes 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!