Rear Bumper Options
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 146
Likes: 37
Rear Bumper Options
Well, some moron driving a utility truck managed to rear end me. Car seems to be completely fine other than cosmetic damage to the rear bumper. Are there any options to get any that are already painted, or do I need to just get one of the unpainted ones and find someone to paint it for me? This would be for a 1985, but I'm not really dead set on keeping it factory so one of the bumpers with a 3rd brake light wouldn't bother me any.
They're, of course, ignoring all of my calls and emails so assuming I'm stuck fixing this myself and getting reimbursed for it later rather than being forced to use their body shop or something.
They're, of course, ignoring all of my calls and emails so assuming I'm stuck fixing this myself and getting reimbursed for it later rather than being forced to use their body shop or something.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 339
From: Simi Valley CA
I have replaced panels on several cars I have owned that have been in small accidents with the same color part off another car. For around $80-100 you could find one from a wrecking yard and the paint usually matches perfect. If you have it painted it will be very difficult to match the paint. Plus the repainted part will fade differently over the years than the original so if it matches today, it won't in a few years.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
FWIW, if the other driver is at fault you do not need to use their body shop, in fact I would not recommend it. Their insurance has to repair your car as it was before the accident. I would get a few different estimates from local shops and do not accept the first settlement from the other insurance company.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 146
Likes: 37
FWIW, if the other driver is at fault you do not need to use their body shop, in fact I would not recommend it. Their insurance has to repair your car as it was before the accident. I would get a few different estimates from local shops and do not accept the first settlement from the other insurance company.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
Well, some moron driving a utility truck managed to rear end me. Car seems to be completely fine other than cosmetic damage to the rear bumper. Are there any options to get any that are already painted, or do I need to just get one of the unpainted ones and find someone to paint it for me? This would be for a 1985, but I'm not really dead set on keeping it factory so one of the bumpers with a 3rd brake light wouldn't bother me any.
They're, of course, ignoring all of my calls and emails so assuming I'm stuck fixing this myself and getting reimbursed for it later rather than being forced to use their body shop or something.
They're, of course, ignoring all of my calls and emails so assuming I'm stuck fixing this myself and getting reimbursed for it later rather than being forced to use their body shop or something.
Take it to several shops or contact a local corvette club for shop recommendations.
without more information or pictures i don't think anyone here can comment on how to fix it. Again, my suggestion is to call your insurance company and file a claim. Provide all the information you have on the driver and the company. It should be pretty simple to do.
Last edited by Bluewasp; Feb 2, 2023 at 08:41 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
Also based on experience your insurance company might ask you to file a police report if you don't have one. More than likely you can do this online.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 146
Likes: 37
From my experience I would file a claim with YOUR insurance and let your insurance go after them. That is how I've handled it in the past. I have no desire to argue with someone else insurance company.
Also based on experience your insurance company might ask you to file a police report if you don't have one. More than likely you can do this online.
Also based on experience your insurance company might ask you to file a police report if you don't have one. More than likely you can do this online.
And I do have a police report. It just doesn't do me any good until I can get them to acknowledge my existence. Its a cut and dry rear ending, so it really shouldn't be any trouble to prove they're at fault.
It'll get dealt with eventually, worst case I'll just show up at their office and be annoying until an actual human being talks to me.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
Yeah thats what I've always done as well, but since its not another insurance company they're refusing to do that for me.
And I do have a police report. It just doesn't do me any good until I can get them to acknowledge my existence. Its a cut and dry rear ending, so it really shouldn't be any trouble to prove they're at fault.
It'll get dealt with eventually, worst case I'll just show up at their office and be annoying until an actual human being talks to me.
And I do have a police report. It just doesn't do me any good until I can get them to acknowledge my existence. Its a cut and dry rear ending, so it really shouldn't be any trouble to prove they're at fault.
It'll get dealt with eventually, worst case I'll just show up at their office and be annoying until an actual human being talks to me.
Stop talking to them.. From a legal aspect I see no reason for them to talk to you directly. I would assume they have a lawyer that handles these issues. You could come back with a bodily injury claim or who knows what. So them not discussing this issue with you directly doesn't seem out of the norm to me.
Last edited by Bluewasp; Feb 2, 2023 at 09:08 AM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 146
Likes: 37
"not another insurance company"? i don't understand what you mean here but in any case. It's not their choice. You don't need their permission to contact your insurance company. The police will investigate the crash and your insurance company will contact them directly for payment. I don't see why you are allowing them to stress you over this. Going to their office? F THEM! You have insurance and your insurance company, which you pay for to handle these issues.
Stop talking to them.. From a legal aspect I see no reason for them to talk to you directly. I would assume they have a lawyer that handles these issues. You could come back with a bodily injury claim or who knows what. So them not discussing this issue with you directly doesn't seem out of the norm to me.
Stop talking to them.. From a legal aspect I see no reason for them to talk to you directly. I would assume they have a lawyer that handles these issues. You could come back with a bodily injury claim or who knows what. So them not discussing this issue with you directly doesn't seem out of the norm to me.
The utility company doesn't have a commercial insurance policy. They are self insured.
And don't worry, I plan on not renewing my policy since these idiots won't take care of this for me. Last time I got rear ended (funny how thats always what happens to me...) they at least put the claim in with the other drivers insurance company, and then it was up to me to deal with them.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
I told you. I called my insurance company and they're not willing to do this for me. I have liability insurance only on the vehicle as I only paid $4k for it in the first place.
The utility company doesn't have a commercial insurance policy. They are self insured.
And don't worry, I plan on not renewing my policy since these idiots won't take care of this for me. Last time I got rear ended (funny how thats always what happens to me...) they at least put the claim in with the other drivers insurance company, and then it was up to me to deal with them.
The utility company doesn't have a commercial insurance policy. They are self insured.
And don't worry, I plan on not renewing my policy since these idiots won't take care of this for me. Last time I got rear ended (funny how thats always what happens to me...) they at least put the claim in with the other drivers insurance company, and then it was up to me to deal with them.
I missed that you only had liability coverage. Sorry. Only option I can see is get a lawyer if you can't get anything out of them.
Good luck.