What would you do? (Bumper question - I Got rear ended)

So I got rear ended today. Nothing too crazy, but want to weigh my options.

Should I just let the toyota approved body shop take care of everything with oem parts and not have to mess with anything? Or should I remove the rear bumper and tail light and have them fix everything to spec and find a cheap oem or aftermarket bumper and oem tail light and finish the job myself and probably pocket $1k+? (I work on cars all the time so I have the knowledge and tools to remove and reinstall the rear bumper / tail light)

Any decent rear bumpers available? I like the idea of a metal one but have never ever looked into them - not sure where to start. I don't have any sensors in my bumper if that makes a difference. I'd like it to look as subtle as possible.

 

Pelfreybilt

 

Getting some money in your pocket is nice for all the hassle you have to deal with over this situation.
BUT, putting on the bumper is putting on the final piece of the puzzle that ties everything together - or highlights any body / frame errors.
I would let the body shop do it all, but have a conversation with them about sourcing used parts to pocket some money. They've all done this & most likely will have no issue with doing it this way so long as their is no misrepresentation by them to the insurance company. They won't risk their business to put a grand in some guys pocket. But if insurance company pays you & body shop charges you less no problems.

I've had no issues with aftermarket light quality, but aftermarket tailgate... definitely got what I paid for - tin, junk. Blech.

 

I would ask them to fix everything except the bumper. There's your aftermarket bumper money!

 

Yeah I'd ideally buy the replacement bumper and tail light like today and when it arrives bring the truck in with the parts in the back. They give the estimate for all oem parts to the insurance like normal and then subtract the parts they don't use and that will likely be much higher than the cost of a good used bumper and tail light. I can get a tail light for $60 pretty easily, so that would probably be a $200 savings right there.

 

Got a bumper in mind?

 

I got rear ended twice already and both time did the fix myself and kept the insurance money. Got myself some ko2 and a few other good stuff of the claim money. Easier fix than I thought.

 

If insurance is involved, don't forget to file a separate diminished value claim.

 

Mobtown bumper - 25% off this month with Blackfriday2017 code.

Somebody hit me, please!!

 

Aftermarket bumper and a extra 1k in your pocket sounds like the right move to me...

 

How do I go about this

 

Contact your insurance company.
Not all states offer this. You never know unless you ask. California has it.

 

pelfrybilt and bd s2 pros for cheaper than the oem replacement.

 

@C4 Fabrication, support for the BSM and rear parking sensors.