E90 rear end collision, bumper damage
Discussion
Hi all, I recently bought a car and never owned but have been driving rental cars for several years. I bought a 3 series recently and today I was hit by a taxi at a traffic light from behind, not a great deal of visible damage but if one looks closer then the damage is visible. There seems like a hairline crack on the bumper skin and a few marks.
He gave me all his details and requested not to take it to insurance but he will pay the cost to fix it. The accident happened today evening and no garage would be open tomorrow, anyone have an idea how much it would cost roughly to fix this? This is my first such experience so I am not sure if this is the right approach.
Any recommendations to get this fixed in London around Wembley area? Thanks.
He gave me all his details and requested not to take it to insurance but he will pay the cost to fix it. The accident happened today evening and no garage would be open tomorrow, anyone have an idea how much it would cost roughly to fix this? This is my first such experience so I am not sure if this is the right approach.
Any recommendations to get this fixed in London around Wembley area? Thanks.
Edited by kishg on Sunday 19th August 01:09
It's entirely normal for people to want to avoid an insurance claim, but when you get the car inspected and find that there's more extensive damage, they'll all of a sudden become less cooperative.
They'll change their mind about liability, insist that their mate who owns a garage can do it for £100 so that's all they'll offer, or stop communicating.
You don't owe them anything, so make a claim directly from their insurers.
They'll change their mind about liability, insist that their mate who owns a garage can do it for £100 so that's all they'll offer, or stop communicating.
You don't owe them anything, so make a claim directly from their insurers.
Few years ago, my neighbor reversed her brand new jag into my old BMW.
She'd already front-ended someone else on the school run, was worried about number of claims, so as they seemed a decent family, I paid my local garage and confidently expected payment.
Was a ball-ache to get it from them. Would I trust a complete stranger, no.
From memory, worse damage than yours (albeit on face value) on my 3 series coupe was about £400-£500 for bumper on and off, respray and I think they called it heat treatment of the creases.
if you do go down the repair route in the absence of any solid recommendations just go to BMW.
But personally I'd go insurance.
She'd already front-ended someone else on the school run, was worried about number of claims, so as they seemed a decent family, I paid my local garage and confidently expected payment.
Was a ball-ache to get it from them. Would I trust a complete stranger, no.
From memory, worse damage than yours (albeit on face value) on my 3 series coupe was about £400-£500 for bumper on and off, respray and I think they called it heat treatment of the creases.
if you do go down the repair route in the absence of any solid recommendations just go to BMW.
But personally I'd go insurance.
:Thanks for all your valuable replies. I did tell him that if you don't want to go through insurance then I'll take it to BMW service centre and you will have to pay for the fix for which he said if you take it to a BMW garage they may say that they will have to replace the whole bumper so please take it to an independent garage I'll sort you out.
He said he didn't want to go through insurance as he had already got 9 points, I have his phone number, car reg, and his taxi license copy but I failed to take a pic of the accident scene and his insurance details. It was in a busy signal and people behind us were pushing us to move the car as they could see visible damage. I moved the car not realizing what I should follow.
Without his insurance details, how do I claim with insurance? If I take the car to a garage tomorrow, give him the estimate I have got and if I find him not cooperative would I then still be able to go insurance since it would have been more than 24 hours?
I have a text proof from him saying " take it to your local garage and I'll sort it out for you", is this enough to prove that he is at fault?
He said he didn't want to go through insurance as he had already got 9 points, I have his phone number, car reg, and his taxi license copy but I failed to take a pic of the accident scene and his insurance details. It was in a busy signal and people behind us were pushing us to move the car as they could see visible damage. I moved the car not realizing what I should follow.
Without his insurance details, how do I claim with insurance? If I take the car to a garage tomorrow, give him the estimate I have got and if I find him not cooperative would I then still be able to go insurance since it would have been more than 24 hours?
I have a text proof from him saying " take it to your local garage and I'll sort it out for you", is this enough to prove that he is at fault?
About 15 years ago I had a van driver drive into the back of my 6 month old Clio and cause a one inch crack. He offered to pay cash so I got a quote from Renault which was £500.
As soon as I phoned him back he said he thought it would be £100 and was basically accusing me of ripping him off.
Just go through insurance as it will be too much hassle (assuming he has any have you checked on askmid?)
As soon as I phoned him back he said he thought it would be £100 and was basically accusing me of ripping him off.
Just go through insurance as it will be too much hassle (assuming he has any have you checked on askmid?)
Just use insurance.
The taxi driver already sounds like they’re telling you what to do so it won’t end well once they’re faced with an honest appraisal of the fix needed and the cost.
You sound like you have all the details needed to go via insurance. I don’t believe you need their insurer details, just reg number and general details.
The taxi driver already sounds like they’re telling you what to do so it won’t end well once they’re faced with an honest appraisal of the fix needed and the cost.
You sound like you have all the details needed to go via insurance. I don’t believe you need their insurer details, just reg number and general details.
kishg said:
Thanks for all your valuable replies. I did tell him that if you don't want to go through insurance then I'll take it to BMW service centre and you will have to pay for the fix for which he said if you take it to a BMW garage they may say that they will have to replace the whole bumper so please take it to an independent garage I'll sort you out.
He said he didn't want to go through insurance as he had already got 9 points, I have his phone number, car reg, and his taxi license copy but I failed to take a pic of the accident scene and his insurance details. It was in a busy signal and people behind us were pushing us to move the car as they could see visible damage. I moved the car not realizing what I should follow.
Without his insurance details, how do I claim with insurance? If I take the car to a garage tomorrow, give him the estimate I have got and if I find him not cooperative would I then still be able to go insurance since it would have been more than 24 hours?
I have a text proof from him saying " take it to your local garage and I'll sort it out for you", is this enough to prove that he is at fault?
Not sure what insurance claims have to do with points. He said he didn't want to go through insurance as he had already got 9 points, I have his phone number, car reg, and his taxi license copy but I failed to take a pic of the accident scene and his insurance details. It was in a busy signal and people behind us were pushing us to move the car as they could see visible damage. I moved the car not realizing what I should follow.
Without his insurance details, how do I claim with insurance? If I take the car to a garage tomorrow, give him the estimate I have got and if I find him not cooperative would I then still be able to go insurance since it would have been more than 24 hours?
I have a text proof from him saying " take it to your local garage and I'll sort it out for you", is this enough to prove that he is at fault?
Either ring him up and ask for his insurance details and go to his insurer direct (they'll prefer this if it's 100% his fault) or report it to your insurer who will be able to get his insurer's details.
In my experience insurance companies are fairly chilled out if someone ran into the back of you. As it's clearly the other party's fault. I've been lucky in that they've never sought to even temporarily take an excess though that may not always be the case.
I suppose if he's being a real tw*t he could try and say you backed into him, in which case the text " I'll sort it out for you" is ambiguous in my opinion.
Uncertainty with how he'd react and whether he will pay are reasons to be go through insurance.
You don't need his insurer's details, assuming he is insured, your insurance company can find that out.
You can retrospectively take a photo of the scene, as part of your explanation if necessary. But any claims handler can call us the sight on google maps so it's hardly crucial.
I suppose if he's being a real tw*t he could try and say you backed into him, in which case the text " I'll sort it out for you" is ambiguous in my opinion.
Uncertainty with how he'd react and whether he will pay are reasons to be go through insurance.
You don't need his insurer's details, assuming he is insured, your insurance company can find that out.
You can retrospectively take a photo of the scene, as part of your explanation if necessary. But any claims handler can call us the sight on google maps so it's hardly crucial.
I’ve had two instances of people running into the back of me and very similar damage. Courier driver payed me a £1k as his excess was £2k. Another instance I offered £200 cash and I would sort out but the lady refused and wanted a quote from bmw as she thought I would pocket £200. She ended up paying £600 direct to bmw, some people are strange.
Hi all, thanks for all your valuable responses. I was away so couldn't get back with what happened. I dropped my car today at berry's for bumper replacement, The third party paid for the total repair which is estimated at £1800. I hope they will do a good job with it.
Car has few chips and the body shop person asked if I preferred a touch up on spots, given that they will have paint mixed for the bumper and I agreed happily but then one of their staff warned me that it's a touch-up and it won't be spotless. I was confused and I told them not to touch up until I confirm. Any thoughts as to if the touch will make things worse or better?
Car has few chips and the body shop person asked if I preferred a touch up on spots, given that they will have paint mixed for the bumper and I agreed happily but then one of their staff warned me that it's a touch-up and it won't be spotless. I was confused and I told them not to touch up until I confirm. Any thoughts as to if the touch will make things worse or better?
How much have you been quoted for the repair?
If you do not repair the 320d, how much will the taxi driver's insurance company pay you (for not repairing the car)?
A respray will always be visible and you will need to arrange to take the car to the workshop and back. May be better to take the money and find an identical factory painted bumper or just leave it. Even a new bumper will need to be sprayed.
If you do not repair the 320d, how much will the taxi driver's insurance company pay you (for not repairing the car)?
A respray will always be visible and you will need to arrange to take the car to the workshop and back. May be better to take the money and find an identical factory painted bumper or just leave it. Even a new bumper will need to be sprayed.
A proper respect should be next to impossible to tell- surrounding panels will be blended and a good paint match is easy to do with their equipment these days.
He’s offered to touch up ur paint chips on other parts of the car free of charge- he won’t be spraying them but using the correct paint to touch in minor chips.
He’s offered to touch up ur paint chips on other parts of the car free of charge- he won’t be spraying them but using the correct paint to touch in minor chips.
kishg said:
I dropped my car today at berry's for bumper replacement, The third party paid for the total repair which is estimated at £1800.
Blimey - dealer repair costs are hefty. Wonder that that could be repaired for?Was looking at a Merc with a scuff on its wing the other day and the owner had been quoted £2500 by an MB dealer's bodyshop.
turbo4ever said:
From an enviromental (and total economic) perspective, just leave it. The repair cost is >50% of the value of your car.
It will always be possible to identify a repainted section.
Someone runs into the back of the OP's car, causing damage to the rear bumper, and THAT's you advice?: Live with it? It will always be possible to identify a repainted section.
For a start off: F
k the environment! - The replacement bumper already exists, and the old bumper will be shredded and turned into car mats or something else. The World isn't going to end because the OP had their damaged bumper replaced!Secondly, from a total economic perspective, the OP won't be paying for the repairs, the taxi driver or their insurance will be, so who gives a s
t about the cost of the repair? "It will always be possible to identify a repainted section"? - It will be a damn sight easier to spot a cracked, paint damaged bumper than it will a repainted one!
Someone has damaged the OP's property, and the OP has the right to have that property returned to as pre-accident condition - That is their right!
They don't have to simply live with the damage and put up with driving around in a damaged car as you seem to think they should!
I've had this happen twice, and in both cases the bumper was replaced. In the first case, BMW did it and charged around £1800. The second time my insurance company stipulated a local indy - they charged £700 for basically the same job. In neither case was it possible to determine the bumper had been replaced.
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