Someone rear ended me today - whilst I was stationary at a red light . Relatively low speed accident.

Anyway, looking to see if anyone could give a feel for likely repair costs.



From what I can see:

Rear bumper - destroyed
Rear light cluster - destroyed
Rear quarter - paint flaked off, heavily dented and mis-shaped around the light cluster
Trunk - Dented near light and paint flaked off. Opens and closes, but don't think it's sitting entirely level
Hidden - Panel that sits below trunk and holds bumper is bent and broken at rivets. Metal panel in rear wheel arch behind the bumper is slightly twisted. Also getting a knocking noise from the rear which wasn't there before.

Anyway, any indications would be a big help as I've no real feel for the cost of these repairs.

Thanks.

 

I'm based in the US by the way, not the UK as my profile says, so looking for estimate in US $

 

Your location is going to play a part in this as well, as body shops in the south tend to be cheaper than those in the north or on the west coast. A ballpark average, IMHO, is around $2500-$3000 depending on shop labor rates.

If you got hit by someone while sitting at a light though, why are you worrying about the cost? Did they not have insurance?

 

2500-3000

 

2500 is low unless they pound out and bondo the rear quarter, i just had to get the other side quarter replaced on mine and the quote for reskin and paint for just that part was over $2500, i am in California though so we might be high. Anyway, a used but in good shape tail light is $200, a new bumper and reinforcement is 250-300, plus paint, and i read on some topic here about the yellow paint (dont remember if it was rio or spa or both) being nearly impossible to paint match properly so it may require a whole new paint job, which i doubt the insurance company will cover. For that though you may just need to get some recommends from members, one overpriced shop so you get the max insurance payout, one good shop so you can use the extra money to get the whole car done...

But as XxMerlinxX said, the person who rear ended you should be footing the bill.

 

Thanks guys. I was just asking out of interest in all honesty. The other persons insurance has accepted all liability - I just need to get the ball rolling.

I'm new to the US and trying to get my head round the insurance repair system etc. From what you said, can you just get a repair quote and have the insurance write you a check for that amount, then take it wherever you want? I'm used to the insurance paying the repair shop directly.

 

Careful because their insurance may try to low ball you. I think you're better off finding a good shop and having the insurance pay them directly. Chances are that the repair shop will find additional damage that the estimator didn't account for.

 

I'm no insurance pro, but i do speak from experience, Dwight is right, do not take the money from the responsible party's ins company. That's what they want you to do. They hope you'll take the money and blow it elsewhere.
Go to a shop of your choosing and have them bill the ins company. That's the way if works in nc at least. They should pay for a rental car too if you need it. You shouldn't have to pay .01$ out of pocket. If they give you any problems just start complaining about how your neck hasn't been right since the accident and watch their behavior do a 180*. Welcome to the U.S.

 

There are two kinds of insurance company.

The first kind of insurance company will sent out one of their guy to inspect your car, then they will mail you the estimate of the repair. They will try to get the lowest repair possible. Dont take their estimated repair. Lookup a good repair shop with better reviews than theirs. That's how you can refuse their estimate repair. If their is the best review, than you have no choice.

The other kind of insurance company will call and tell you to take it to any shop of your choice. I would take it to the most expensive shop you can find. I would rather have it repair by a shop because its seems like alot of damages and could be some hidden damages. it doesn't look like a fender bender where you can take the money and fix it yourself later on.

I prefer the second. So it all depends on what kind of insurance company the other party has. Hopefully, the second kind. I think the repair cost would be close to $5k. When you get the estimate repairs, make sure to look it over and see what parts they are replacing and what parts they are repairing like the quarter panel. Some shop will just repair it rather then replacing it. That is the difference in the cost of the repair estimate. Good luck and keep us update.

 

yea, being form somewhere else... helps to ask people who might give you good information... all this looks good an you started off with the best.. you have their insurance an that's been started... do the car rental.. then shop around where you are for a place that does good work.. this doesn't look like you-do-it your-self unless you have some friends with equipment.. oddly.. off this forum, you just night.. a very resourceful lot...