Hi All,
Last weekend, my TLX got hit on the rear driver's bumper resulting in damage .

The insurance company for the party which damaged my car has given me a list of REPAIR facilities where I can take my car.
I wasn't sure if:

1. The bumber needed to be replaced
2. OR The bumper needed to be repaired.

Since the insurance Company has provided me a list or repair facilities(indicating to me that they would repair only), is there a way I can insist on a replacement? (assuming replacement is needed). Great to have somebody's perspective or experience about this kind of case.
Thank you all!

 

It's just a plastic cover and can be repaired and painted. It will be perfect when completed as long as the job is done properly. They will need the car for 3 days to applying all the treatments and allow proper drying time between each coat.

You will not be able to get the insurance company to spring for a new part.

 

Or you can just get them to cut a check, then pay extra money to get a new one.

Although I doubt the new one comes factory painted ...

 

Don't know about where you are but in CA, you get to pick where to take your car.

 

I'd repair that bumper. It's not even cracked and even if it was it could likely be plastic welded. I wouldn't replace it. The original bumper likely had the VIN number of your car somewhere on it. If you get a new bumper, that sticker is forever gone. If you ever go to sell your TLX, you can disclose it was in a minor incident- so minor the original bumper wasn't even replaced. Helps your cause.

 

Here too, we get to choose where we take our vehicles after an accident. The insurance company has "preferred" shops (aka cheap as fuck and work on volume instead of quality), but you don't have to go there.

It all comes down to finding a quality shop. Remember, you get what you pay for, so if the insurance company is paying up, find the best shop you can. It'll be well worth it in the long run.

 

Without embarrassing details, a couple years ago I had 2 Toyotas with similar damage (right front on one, left rear on the other), went to a body shop I knew to be good, and the results were fantastic. Both had metallic paint, one bumper even had a small gouge that he said they would take out with heat. The same shop had previously fixed my black Lexus with damage from a deer running into the RF door, and the results were also fantastic, so just be sure you have a good shop.

 

A note of advice- when you go looking for a shop, ask to see what the actual shop looks like, especially their paint booth. If the shop is dark, messy, dusty, etc, just avoid it. Look in the paint booth. If it isn't extremely well lit and completely spotless, avoid at all costs. There's nothing worse than getting a spec of dust trapped under the paint!

 

Thanks for all your replies.

I'm located in Sunnyvale, CA.

Anyone has had good experience with repair shops in the area could you please share the name?

 

It is definitely repairable, but the clip closest to the edge is bent up and likely not that strong anymore. Sure they can plastic weld it back into place, but I would opt for a new OEM bumper and have it painted to match if it were me. That way the fit and finish is perfect.

See if your local Acura dealership has a body shop or if they have a local body shop that they use

 

You're right the clip closest to the edge is bent up. However, I have a feeling that the insurance will not cover a replacement.

Local Acura shop does have a local body shop that they use for all Acuras that need body repair.

 

Repairing or replacing the bumper will depend on the damage. If there is damage to the plastic (meaning scrapes into the plastic), they will replace it. If it's surface only, there's no need to replace it (unless the clip is indeed damaged).

Replacements can either be new or refurbished, the latter usually being a healthy bumper cover from a totaled vehicle that has been stripped and prepped for paint. Availability of refurb bumpers may not be too great since it's a newer vehicle.

Regardless, they will fix her up like new.

 

Bumper will be refinished and repainted, replacement isn't necessary. You are looking at about a $600 bill plus rental car for 2-3 days.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses. Very helpful.

Just as an update to help anyone who in the future might search the forum with a similar question, the bumper was replaced with an original part in my case.

 

i don't know how it is in the states but here you are allowed to take it to any body shop that you would like, but insurance tries to get you to use their "preferred" (see shitty) bodyshop.

on my bumper the tabs were broken so that was a new bumper no questions.

 

^agree, find your own shop and the estimate is going to be the same. Insurance Body shops love to cut corners and crank cars in and out as fast as possible to make the most money.

 

I have pretty much the same type of damage. What was your total cost to replace the bumper and front spoiler (or was that salvageable, mine broke off)

 

word of advice, take it to the shop that you want, get a quote on the high side, ask the ins co to cut you a check, repair and repaint, it's better to have the original bumper than replacement

 

the bumper could have been fixed, but since the tabs were broken that's a new part. the skirt could have been fixed, but i argued with the insurance company that it was a brand new car, and that i wanted brand new OEM parts on it. between paint, replacement parts, and a new headlight because mine was scratched everything came up to around $5grand. it's all coming from that guys insurance, and i got the stock parts back.