Got some minor damage and don't know what to do!!! Need some advice!

Well I got some minor damage to my new truck today and need to know what route to take. I hit a post that caused me the need to replace my upper and lower bumper, and did some damage to my door. There's no dents just a lot of chipped paint. It makes me sick looking at it. I can do the bumpers myself for about $300 and get an estimate for the paint, or I can just pay my $500 deductible and have it all fixed. The issue is that this would be the 3rd claim in 6 months to my insurance. The other 2 were not my fault and was with my ołd truck. I could pay the deductible and have my insurance go up around $300 a year or pay about $1200 (estimate) for all the damage. I don't have $1200 at this moment but I do have $500. Still need to get the paint damage estimate. Need some advice. Truck has 7,000 miles on it. Thanks guys

 

Third claim in six months? Damn.

Use the money and get some driving lessons!

 

Sounds like you need to replace your bumper and get some armor on there. Just saying

 

Like I said the first 2 weren't my fault. They have these things called circles in NJ and I got hit twice. Some people, like myself, that if I didn't have bad luck then I wouldn't have any luck at all. But I didn't post this to get driving lessons from people I don't know, I just needed a little advice

 

I would pay out of pocket and fix the things piece by piece. I needed some work done on my old car before and a body shop told me I'm basicly looking at 300 dollars per body piece just for painting and finishing. I would fix the bumper today, then next month have the door fixed. Just my opinion. I wouldn't like making that insurance claim.

 

If the first 2 weren't your fault there is no reason your rates should go up at all, pay the deductable and get it done right. If its not done right it will bother you everytime you see the truck. Just something to consider.

 

those the roundabout traffic disrupter things? If so, I hate those damn things...people don't understand that they need to stop before entering them. nearly been hit a few times because of it.

 

Yeah the fucking roundabouts are terrible. My dumbass decided to move on a street that requires me to pull onto it everyday. I've actually seen someone go the wrong way in these things! Anyway, I appreciate the good advice guys. I'm going today to 2 places to get real estimates. I'll let you know the cost so you can help me make an informed decision. I would live to pay for it and go on my way but like big said I want it done right. What a delama. Even if it wasn't my fault the last 2 the premiums go up , just not as much. They view me as more of a risk to be inn an accident. Which I can't blame them

 

hahahah

op post some pics of the damage and iu might be able to fix it yourself...
no sense on getting it perfect if u have this kind of luck
the first ones are always the hardest
good luck

 

$1400 over three years (and continuing to rise (500 + 300*3)) or $1200 now is a tough one. Like others have said, I would probably space it out and pay for it myself. Get those estimates and do the math.

Too bad it is a 2012, it would be easier to find used parts for earlier years!

And for the record, I love roundabouts, I think they are brilliant. But people are not.

 

Local 1 brutalguy? I'm local 322 plumbers. It just sucks man. I really do have bad luck, but I know it could be a lot worse but I might just do the bumper now myself and maybe in 1-2 months sage up enough to have the paint fixed the right way because there's defiantly some sanding and blending that needs to be done. And let's be honest here, I know I'm a bad driver but I still work hard and deserve nice things. The reason I bought this truck is because I found out my wife's pregnant with our first and I wanted a safe truck with a spot for the cars seat. now I'm scared to even put my infant in
My truck without worrying.

 

post up some pics of said door damage
bumper is an easy fix.....comes off in like 10 mins.....

 

Are you a pipe fitter or a plumber? Up here, they are worlds apart

 

im a plumber by title but do inspections for sprinkler / standpipe
so whats that make me....

 

Wrong! I've never seen a traffic circle or roundabout that has a stop sign. They have yield signs. You stop only if someone is in the circle segment to the left of the car entering. Traffic circles are great. They speed up traffic flow. More of them will improve your fuel economy because you don't have to come to a full stop and restart. My big issue with them are those who stop every time they enter one.

As for what the OP should do... suck it up and pay for the repair yourelf. Might have to save it up first. Insurnace is for things that are bigtime. When we stupid stuff that causes damage I feel we should pay for it ourselves.

 

A multi-tasker

 

Well I got the estimate for the paint repair. $1,300 of course they found a dent I didn't see before, and I asked for a total for the bumper also... That was an extra $400. So all said and done its either $1,600 out of pocket $1,300(paint repair)+$300 to do the bumper myself, or $500 deductible + $300x3 years = $1,700 over a 3 year span? Plus they said its gonna take 4 days and if I go through insurance I get a rental car. To me it's worth it to file the claim. I actually make our better after you consider the price of a rental. Thanks for all the sound advice people. Maybe I will use any left over cash for a bull bar and driving lessons!!!!

 

Bull bars are damage multiplyers.

 

Are they?? I didn't know that! What's the point of them then? I guess I assumed there purpose was to protect. An I wrong?

 

They are just for looks, that's pretty much it. They use the tow hooks and people think that they can tow using the bull bar since that it's hooked to the tow hooks, wrong! I wouldn't trust pulling anything with a bull bar, regardless if it's light or not towing.

Bull bars are like aftermarket, ebay, HIDs. People think that they work and that there is benefits to them. But they, truly, truly don't.