I was rear ended a few weeks back and have finally gotten ahold of the lady's insurance company. They are sending me 2 checks totaling $1600 for 2 new bumpers plus 2 days in a rental car. My brother inlaw works for a Ford body shop and said he will fix it for materials + some change$$. The kicker is that the insurance is paying for 2 new bumpers that only need some paint and clips!! I'm going to walk away from this and pocket more than 1k!! Things look darkest before the dawn!

 

PHAT!!!!! Consider that 1K reimbursement for driving that darn rental around, and pain and suffering being without the Max!

 

Be careful... sometimes the styrofoam insert is heavily damaged. If it is, the ability to absorb energy in a future accident is diminished.

 

yeah, you should thoroughly check the material under the bumpers to make sure it is ok. Otherwise, that is a great deal

 

Paul is exactly right. I was rear-ended in my last car at 25 MPH. A few scratches and dents to be pushed out but nothing major. Their insurance company only paid for those types of repairs (Gold Key Insurance - it sucks!) I took it to a body shop of my choice and found out that they styrofoam stuff was damaged and would not be effective in a future wreck - had to fight to get the whole bumper replaced. So be careful.

 

Already checked that. The clips on the top of the bumpers are broken and I can pull them out about an inch or so. The styrophome is 100% intact. If anything was not intact,(other than the paint) I would not be doing this. I am glad I did not let the insurance company send out an adjuster and I took it myself to get estemates. They asked my if I wanted new or refurbished parts and of course I said NEW!! Even if I do take it to a shop to get clips and paint, I will still probably make out with over a grand!!