Evo got rear-ended

[Alacris]

Washington Blvd onto US 50 merge ramp. long wait for an opening, looks like everything is all clear. I start to go and some idiot in the middle lane cuts over to the right, so I jam on the brakes. Lady behind me saw me start going and did not see th e blue car cut over. Bam.

Very little damage, but I'm going to have to get an estimate for insurance and stuff. Just a golf-ball sized dent/scrape in the bumper cover.

All in all, I took it pretty well (friends and family asked if I flipped out).

Anyone have any recommendations for a body shop? Or should I just take it to Alex. Mitsubishi and let them look it over?

Also, has anyone here replaced a bumper cover yourself? If I can get one pre-colored, I can't imagine it would be that hard and I could save some money.

Thanks,
AC

[All We'll Drive]

sucks man, hope it gets fixed soon.

[sr20det91]

Depending on your insurance deductable, you may be better off ordering the cover, then taking it to a reputable paint shop and have them match it up for you. Removal and installation is a breeze. You may look around on EvoM for the JDM Evo 9 rear cover. There are usually some group buys going on for them and I believe you can get them color matched.

[Alacris]

Oh, their insurance is going to be paying for this. I have all of their information, and rear-enders are usually a no-brainer (aside from the swoop-and-squat scam). The fact I have a police "statement" will definitely help.

I'm hoping for a body shop to get a $1k estimate (just made the number up, not sure how expensive this stuff will be). I get said check then order the parts myself for $500 and install it myself, pocketing the difference. It is legal to get a settlement and not even get the part fixed, although I do want to get this fixed. Some insurance companies insist that their body shop fix it, but you are under no obligation to do so.

Worst case, I have to have a dealership install it and have the other people's company pay the bill and all I'm out is a little time. Oh well.

I called today and got a claim going. Inspector is supposed to call me tomorrow.

[memo]

Sorry to hear that bro. I hope it gets fixed soon

Also, if you can get a JDM Evo9 bumper, that would be sweet

[coastal96]

That sucks but at least it'll get fixed out of someone else's pocket. As you said, rear-enders are pretty cut-and-dry, so you should be golden. I do not believe it is illegal to pocket the money like you describe. I've done it myself and seen it done numerous times. The only time it is an issue is when it is your OWN insurance. They typically will only cut a check to a body shop. But even in that case you can try and get the body shop to sign the check over to you or something . . . did that one b/f to ;)

[cotmfk]

Too bad you got hit. At least it wasn't bad! I'll be looking forward to seeing your car if you do end up with a IX bumper.

[neological]

That sucks but at least it'll get fixed out of someone else's pocket. As you said, rear-enders are pretty cut-and-dry, so you should be golden. I do not believe it is illegal to pocket the money like you describe. I've done it myself and seen it done numerous times.


If they cut you a check it's perfectly legal to spend the money on whatever you want.


The only time it is an issue is when it is your OWN insurance. They typically will only cut a check to a body shop. But even in that case you can try and get the body shop to sign the check over to you or something . . . did that one b/f to ;)


I've done that too but State Farm is the only company that did this to me. The rest all wrote me checks.

[Alacris]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

The ball is rolling, although we are playing phone tag now.

A replacement bumper cover retails for about $400 new, unpainted. I figure $200 or so for painting and clear coating, and at least an hour for installation at $50 to $75 per hour. They may say it takes two hours, I don't know.

So the minimum I'd settle for is $650, but that's without a shop estimate so who knows. If I do get that much, the IX JDM rear bumper cover is a given. Everyone I've shown it too says it looks so much better, and the fact it comes pre-painted saves me a lot of time.

Anyone know a good body shop or dealership to take this to? Right now, I'm defaulting to Alex. Mitsu. since they've treated me right in the past (and who can get better prices on replacement parts than a dealership ;) )

Thanks again guys,
AC

[Alacris]

follow-up:

Got my estimates back: an Evo rear bumper cover painted is about $675. With labor and the little things both estimates were just shy of $1k.

Still thinking about the IX JDM bumper, but the lack of a secondary support troubles me. Even if we could get the JDM one, that would be better than nothing. Still considering my options, but I have time, as I can't do anything until I get a check from the insurance company.

a

[coastal96]

I've done that too but State Farm is the only company that did this to me. The rest all wrote me checks.

My mistake . . . insurance companies will do that, not cut a check to you when making claims on your own insurance, if there is a lein on the car. At least in my situations.

[AMSTuning.com]

JDM bumper is $700 and you will have to repaint it because it does not come in Yellow. But I would go with JDM anyways over stock. We have 2 stock rear bumpers available for cheap, white and black, both are in great condition.

[Lacoste]

Related to this, I am in need of a cheap place to get a bumper painted (non-Evo). Somewhere within an hour of DC. I can do the install myself, but not the painting.

Thanks,

L

[sonicnofadz]

Whenever someone rear ends me (which has happened frequently, but never in my evo) I just get their insurance company to cut me a check and I do the work myself and make $BANK. :eek:

[Alacris]

Epilogue:
Had the work done at Quality Auto Body in Fairfax, VA. Straight up payment, didn't even cash the check to the insurance company. I just signed it over to them.

Car was in for two days and it looks perfect. The paint job was a spot-on match. They were really great to deal with and other than having to Metro or drive my big-ass truck around for a few days, it was pretty pain free.

Definitely would recommend them for paint work.

AC

[All We'll Drive]

Awesome

[MadMsheen]

Quality Auto Body..hmm.. I 'll definitely keep them in mind since I have a car I'll need painted soon. Congrats on getting your car back in great condition.