Advice wanted: Hit from behind, want to repair myself, low budget student. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

masonwader · 01-29-2012, 10:24 PM

Hi, this seemed like the best forum to ask for advice on this.
My driver side rear bumper, diffuser, and space in front of rear wheel just before after the ribs were damaged when a guy in a honda civic hit me. -His entire front end is gone-

Anyway, I may be doing the repairs myself if his insurance doesn't accept blame. I didn't call the cops because he was clearly high (reeked of weed and I smelled it in his car as I put his front bumper in his trunk), and his friends ran after the accident. Didn't want him (out of towner) to flee.

What I don't know how to do, is order a new rear bumper and diffuser for the price I was quoted in the insurer's quote, which was about 450.

Then, although the rear bumper and diffuser I could probably figure out how to change, I don't know if I can repair the spot in front of the wheel. I would appreciate any advice.

motorhead · 01-29-2012, 10:30 PM

Why didn't you get his plate number and call the cops right away. He should be in jail if he was driving while high.

Anyway back to the car. If you want it fixed right take it to a pro. If you don't know what you're doing why not just drive it that way. You probably won't make it look much better if you don't know what you're doing.

masonwader · 01-29-2012, 10:39 PM

Replacing entire bumper won't be to hard, I've done automotive work before on my '97 Ford Ranger. I have his information, but the dude was pretty irate. I believe if I had tried to call the cops he'd have just run. He told me straight up "I'm on probation, I just finished a sentence." But now I have to show his insurance that it was his fault. Anyway, yea I ****ed up, was my first wreck.

ron10 · 01-29-2012, 10:53 PM

you are seriously going to pay for a repair that should be paid for by the person that hit you because he was wasted and you didn't want to get him in trouble? SERIOUSLY !

SummoneR · 01-29-2012, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron10

you are seriously going to pay for a repair that should be paid for by the person that hit you because he was wasted and you didn't want to get him in trouble? SERIOUSLY !

You should have a uninsured motorist on your policy too that covers hit and runs and people who don't have insurance. They allow so many before you end up paying the deductible, it all depend on your company.

masonwader · 01-29-2012, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron10

you are seriously going to pay for a repair that should be paid for by the person that hit you because he was wasted and you didn't want to get him in trouble? SERIOUSLY !

Talked to cops, it was on private property (a parking lot), they couldn't have put blame on him anyway, and I didn't want him to flee. I believe the insurance companies are going to rule it duel fault because I might not be able to prove otherwise.

masonwader · 01-29-2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SummoneR

You should have a uninsured motorist on your policy too that covers hit and runs and people who don't have insurance. They allow so many before you end up paying the deductible, it all depend on your company.

Not sure what my uninsured motorist policy entails, this is my first insurance dealing. I do know I have a 1,000 deductable and the repair quote was 1,780, and should the accident be ruled duel fault, I would have to pay deductible.
Over 1,000 of that estimate is labor. Plus replacing that rim (because its scratched) is in the estimate. I think I could do the work myself cheaper than deductible and not make a claim on my own insurance (so that my premium doesn't go up). But I don't know how to get replacement parts...

Biscuitpie · 01-29-2012, 11:33 PM

Who cares if he runs? You have his plate number...

masonwader · 01-29-2012, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuitpie

Who cares if he runs? You have his plate number...

Didn't have the license number at first, I was pretty shaken up that my car which I saved up for through all of high school and 3 years of college was damaged. Not asking for judgement on how I reacted, I've gotten a lot of shit from my parents who didn't want me to buy the car in the first place. As a cop told me, I may have learned an expensive lesson.

I just want to repair it myself to prevent filing a claim and ending about $100 a month in savings I make on my premium (in the event that his insurance doesn't take blame).

SummoneR · 01-30-2012, 12:01 AM

WOW Well best of luck.

Each case is different but my deductible is $250 it only cost me $40 more a year from the $500. Worth a look into it too.

Grimlock · 01-30-2012, 12:08 AM

You're getting the car fixed regardless, but them insurance rates may go up. I see a Havoc diffuser in the near future.

masonwader · 01-30-2012, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimlock

You're getting the car fixed regardless, but them insurance rates may go up. I see a Havoc diffuser in the near future.

My rates don't go up if I do the work myself, buying parts on my own dollar (not making a claim), because I am not at fault.

By preventing my rate increase, even if I had the work done professionally totally out of pocket, it would pay itself off after 17 months by keeping my discounts.

I do like the Havoc diffuser

, but they quoted buying a new GM original for about $115. The plastic bumper would need replacing not only because it's scratched up, but the diffuser screw on locations are broken off. The diffuser is only not "just hanging off" because it's a tight fit.

kenkartasasmita · 01-30-2012, 12:59 AM

oh shoot. sorry to hear that. btw i have a cheap oem rear diffuser if u want to buy it.

zkdreads · 01-30-2012, 01:19 AM

Just go through your insurance! That looks like more than a $500 deductible

01-29-2012, 10:24 PM	#1
masonwader Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 119 View My Garage	Advice wanted: Hit from behind, want to repair myself, low budget student. Hi, this seemed like the best forum to ask for advice on this. My driver side rear bumper, diffuser, and space in front of rear wheel just before after the ribs were damaged when a guy in a honda civic hit me. -His entire front end is gone- Anyway, I may be doing the repairs myself if his insurance doesn't accept blame. I didn't call the cops because he was clearly high (reeked of weed and I smelled it in his car as I put his front bumper in his trunk), and his friends ran after the accident. Didn't want him (out of towner) to flee. What I don't know how to do, is order a new rear bumper and diffuser for the price I was quoted in the insurer's quote, which was about 450. Then, although the rear bumper and diffuser I could probably figure out how to change, I don't know if I can repair the spot in front of the wheel. I would appreciate any advice. Attached Images

01-29-2012, 11:33 PM	#8
Biscuitpie Drives: '11 Cammed LS3, '14 Scion FRS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 758	Who cares if he runs? You have his plate number... __________________ SOLD with a Z06 in the not too distant future: Cammed, boltons, axles, lowered, and more. \| 476 WHP

01-30-2012, 12:01 AM	#10
SummoneR Paul Drives: '10 2SS/RS M6 "Marauder" Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NOR*CAL Posts: 6,230	WOW Well best of luck. Each case is different but my deductible is $250 it only cost me $40 more a year from the $500. Worth a look into it too. __________________

01-30-2012, 01:19 AM	#14
zkdreads Drives: 2010 Camaro LS V6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 2,784	Just go through your insurance! That looks like more than a $500 deductible __________________ C-LO or Sonic "Without Struggle there is no progress" I am your best nightmare!

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01-29-2012, 10:30 PM	#2
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,849	Why didn't you get his plate number and call the cops right away. He should be in jail if he was driving while high. Anyway back to the car. If you want it fixed right take it to a pro. If you don't know what you're doing why not just drive it that way. You probably won't make it look much better if you don't know what you're doing.

01-29-2012, 10:39 PM	#3
masonwader Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 119 View My Garage	Replacing entire bumper won't be to hard, I've done automotive work before on my '97 Ford Ranger. I have his information, but the dude was pretty irate. I believe if I had tried to call the cops he'd have just run. He told me straight up "I'm on probation, I just finished a sentence." But now I have to show his insurance that it was his fault. Anyway, yea I ****ed up, was my first wreck.

01-29-2012, 10:53 PM	#4
ron10 Drives: 2010 2SS IOM L99 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: LOUISVILLE,KY.. Posts: 7,545	you are seriously going to pay for a repair that should be paid for by the person that hit you because he was wasted and you didn't want to get him in trouble? SERIOUSLY !

01-30-2012, 12:08 AM	#11
Grimlock dey see me rollin Drives: the magic school bus Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vault 101 Posts: 823	You're getting the car fixed regardless, but them insurance rates may go up. I see a Havoc diffuser in the near future.