Bumper did its job, now what?

Yesterday a dude drove into the left rear bumper on my taco. I was stopped and he "thought I was going to pull out" into traffic. So now I have a bashed left rear bumper. 99% of the damage is contained to the bumper. There are a few scratches on the bed panel from where the bumper cover pushed past the edge of the panel and the rock guard sticker is torn.

My question is about my options. The estimate came in at around $1200, surface only. I don't expect major hidden costs but who knows. It's under lien because of my loan. I am claiming the costs under the other driver's insurance which is State Farm, if it matters.

My initial thought was about replacing the bumper with an off road style which is in the future anyway. Is this something that I have the right to request as an alternative to just repairing the damage? I guess I'd rather have someone else pay for the upgrade than repair now and replace on my own dime in the future.

Anyone have experience with this kind of process? Recommendations on how to proceed? Thanks in advance.

 

I just got hit in a parking lot. Pretty sure the other drivers insurance company is just gonna deposit the money in my account.

 

It all depends on the agent handling your claim. A lot of insurance companies are cagey, they'll only cut a check to the body shop of your choice, and you'll never be able to see that money. If you're lucky, really lucky, you can present multiple quotes for repair to the agent and try to convince them to send you the check. But you have to be a damn good sweet talker to pull that off...

 

I got both my front and rear bumpers by getting hit twice... the first accident paid for both bumpers. Asked for a check and they paid out $3300

When I got hit a week later the body shop worked it out to where the second guys insurance “credited” me the cost of a back bumper since I was going to supply the bumpers.

All work done and I still had $400 left over

 

I did a little internet sleuthing and read something about lien holders preferring repair over payout. No idea how my bank would ever find out unless it automatically reports back through the vin? This made me a bit weirded out to just ask for a check from State Farm for the estimate cost.

This thread is probably worthless, except to me, even with pics...

 

I have a loan on my truck.... it didn’t change anything for me.

 

My previous 2nd gen was hit in the rear at a stop light. The young gal didn't have insurance so he mother offered to pay for it. Cut her some slack and got a Chinese after market bumper. Dealer wanted approx $1100 and the after market one was < $400.

 

Don’t be shocked if they don’t total it.

 

I think usually they will send a person to do an estimate and can cut you a check for that amount... then if the amount of actual repair is over that, it has to be settled.

 

I’m sure you can just replace the bumper caps which aren’t that much. Maybe a couple hundred

 

Pretty sure the once the body shop receives the check they can just order and install the bumper you want. I did see you have backup sensors tho. I wonder what happens to those with an aftermarket bumper.

 

I had the similar thing happen to me. Insurance check was sent directly to the repairing facility in order to ensure that my vehicle was repaired and money wasn’t used for other things.

 

I've done similar in the past twice - select your body shop, tell them what you want to do, and when the insurance agent cuts the check to the body shop for the cost of the repairs to the OEM equipment, have them order the aftermarket equipment you want. If the cost of your upgrades exceeds what insurance will pay, you will just be out of pocket to the body shop for the remaining amount.

Or, if the insurance company cuts a check to you directly, you can do whatever you want.

 

I found that insurance companies will typically only pay to bring vehicle back to pre-damage like condition. You can probably negotiate with your body shop to install any bumper you want and pay them any difference.
Personally I would go back with stock parts since you have sensors.

I would get rid of that "Smart dealer sticker" on your tailgate as well.

 

Do it right get a steel bumper

 

Is Get a second pair of eyes underneath to look at the frame just in case, then if you wanted to go armor it would be the time.

 

State Farm is one of two or three insurance companies that replace with oem parts the first two years. Geico on the other hand will put the cheapest sourced part back on there. You're kinda lucky they have State Farm.

 

Someone backed into my parked truck and did similar damage. They did the initial inspection and told me it could be fixed or I could get paid but they do separate write ups for each. I just opted to have them fix it. Charged their insurance almost 1700 bucks to replace the painted plastic piece. In the write up they said they repainted the entire drivers bedside to blend it with the bumper piece. Was a bit overkill in my opinion but turned out nice.

 

Thanks for all the input! If I successfully negotiate for "my choice" it'll be armor. It looks like there are a number of bumpers that accommodate backup sensors, not many for bsm in addition to backup. I've got some time off in a couple weeks and was thinking of driving to Victory 4x4 in Michigan for a steel replacement.

I guess it all depends on how State Farm takes the idea of cutting a check. The body shop did indicate that it might be possible to swap in an aftermarket after the check is cut and pay the difference. At least that's the story from the first estimator I talked with over the phone.

There is a debadging in the near future, no more decals or stickers for me.