Got into a fender bender, need some advice.
 

So I got into a minor fender bender yesterday around noon. Lady was driving out of a parkade and didn't look both ways before driving out and hit my rear bumper. I got the damaged appraised yesterday and its $900 (or $700 if paid in cash) to get it repaired (bumper removed and repainted).

I'm sort of debating whether I should just get the lady to give me $700 cash and try to get the damage buffed out by a detail shop. The bumper just looks to be scratched and scuffed, no visible dents. Would a detail shop be able to buff most of the damage, like the black scuffs and most of the scratches?

http://i53.tinypic.com/34g22ie.jpg

a deep cutting pad might be able to take most of that out but if your finger nails catch on the scratch then it wont

Well did it go down through the paint? Buffing it won't add new slver paint to spots where it's missing. Are there any parts dented in?

Im gonna PM you

i would call icbc and file a report first then decide if you want to settle it with icbc or privaetly

That's not cool, you would not want someone to do that to you.

Plus if she's smart, she should not pay you cash, she should pay the repair company directly. There's people who will take the cash pay off, then still make a claim to ICBC. :(

We have agreed to do this privately and she's willing to pay all the repair costs or give me the $700 cash as long as I write a letter stating that she has paid for all my damages and is dissolved from the accident. Just trying to decide which route to go that's all.

Anyone tried X-Kote before?
http://www.x-kote.com/index.htm

^ yea, we x kote many of our used vehicles before putting them up for sale. It's good, but I don't think it would do great against this damage. It removes most fine scratches/swirls well though.
Posted via RS Mobile

Your bumper looks misaligned.
Posted via RS Mobile

Ya it does look misaligned and i just ran my nail over the scratches and i can feel all of them with my nail. I'm just going to be safe and go head and get the whole bumper repainted.

get it dont at dealership.. if your not at fault dont worry, other party is going to pay... get it done properly

the bumper could have been pushed in and popped back out, especially since its misaligned. If that's the case the paint will start to flake off over time, so get them to sand down and repaint the whole bumper.

If i were you I would claim through ICBC. Since its not your fault you dont have to worry about anything. Plus if the paint job was crap you can get back to ICBC and get them to do it again. Plus the lady can pay ICBC back instead of you..

Buffing will not fix that.Tthe damage looks to be at least all the way through the clear coat.

I wouldn't care as much about re/re and painting the bumper, as I would the damage underneath it. What if the impact pad/honeycomb underneath it got crushed and the plastic popped out? You won't know until the cover comes off and the total could exceed the $700.

Just something to consider.

They are raping you for $700 if it's only painting, but if you can squeeze $700 out of the lady go for it, GF's car had similar damage and went through ICBC cause the other driver was at fault (last month btw) brought it to B&D on clark worked out to be $600 through ICBC

If it's only painting I wouldn't pay more than $300 for one bumper it looks like one of the clips could be broken near the front though it doesn't look aligned properly IMO.

She can just pay the bill to ICBC too even if you go through them. And she'll probably pay less. I know several shops give preferential rates to ICBC.

Claim icbc you never know if theres hidden damage
Posted via RS Mobile

^^ that would be my number one concern. Just because you cant see major damage that doesnt mean there is none

Ya i do not understand why she does not want to go through ICBC either. Maybe her rates will go up a lot *shrugs*

Anyways, planning to bring it to AK Autoworks and they said once they take off the bumper and find more damage, her and I will be notified.

Do NOT settle privately. If you claim through ICBC:

1. You still get your bumper fixed properly, along with any other related damage that is not yet evident.
2. She can choose whether she wants her premium to go up. Or, she can reimburse ICBC and it's like the claim never happened. In the end she pays the same amount.

What is the downside? Explain to me what you think either of you is gaining by doing this "under the table".

Claim it anyways. Then she cant do nothing about it.. Again its like everyone says. She can pay ICBC for the damages that the shop chages them or her premiums go up.. Worst case for you she could get you to get it fixed then the bill comes and then she runs.. Then you cant go to ICBC cause the repair has been fixed and they will say you shouldve went through them in the first place. Going privately may hurt you.

I spoke with her and the only reason why she doesn't want to go with ICBC is because she doesn't want this accident on her driving record.

If she reimburses ICBC what they pay out, nothing will show up.

Unless her job consists of a perfect driving record.. Its does nothing if it was on her record or not. Plus she can request removal after 5 years.

Ask her why she doesnt want it on he record, It doesnt do anything to make a difference.

If she didnt want it on her record she shouldnt of been a incompetent driver and looked both ways..

Honestly I feel the lady just doesnt know what to do so she probably asks her husband what the best scenario is and this is what hes bringing up. Plus who knows maybe shes not insured for the vehicle so she wont be covered.

That does not look like 700 worth of damage
Posted via RS Mobile