Bumper Crack Repair Cost: Everything You Need To Know
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We’ve all experienced it!
Whether it’s your fault for backing into a pole or a distracted driver unwittingly rear-ended you, a damaged front or rear bumper is never a fun time. Fortunately, bumpers protect us from minor bumps to major collisions and are designed to absorb the impact. Front and rear bumpers are some of the most commonly damaged parts of the vehicle.
Having said that, a damaged bumper will require repair or a replacement – and this is the part where most car owners are concerned with. How much can you expect to pay for a bumper crack repair cost?
For today’s post, we’ll go in-depth about the bumper crack repair cost, what other factors can affect your bill, and if it’s possible to go the DIY route. Let’s check it out!
About Bumper Damage
The overall bumper crack repair cost will depend on many factors, but mainly on the extent of the damage. Most modern bumpers are made from plastic materials reinforced by an aluminum or steel bar. The basic components of a bumper include:
- The structural support system
- The plastic covering
- The shock-absorbing foam material
In general, severe damage such as cracks, holes, and parts ready to detach will likely require a bumper replacement. Any damage to these bumper parts will result in a hefty repair bill, especially if the damage has reached the structural support. Underlying damage may also run up the bill.
On the other hand, minor damages like dents, dings, chips, and scratches are easily repairable by just about any body shop. If there’s hardly any damage to the bumper and it isn’t ripped, a body shop may use paintless dent repair or PDR to address the issue.
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Factors that Affect the Cost of Bumper Repairs
Below are the factors that will affect your bumper repair bill:
- Type of damage: Did your bumper sustain a dent or crack? How severe is the damage? Is there underlying damage to the structure? Depending on the severity of the damage, you may have to move past the repairs and replace the bumper altogether.
- Build and material quality: Plastic bumpers are typically easier and less expensive to repair. Meanwhile, steel or aluminum bumpers will likely command a higher repair cost.
- Insurance coverage: Whether you have insurance coverage will primarily affect how much you’ll pay out of pocket. Check with your insurance provider to learn more about your coverage and potential deductible.
Bumper Crack Repair Cost: How Much Will You Pay?
Unfortunately, a cracked bumper is one of the worst and most expensive damages you can experience. Technicians will repair the cracked bumper by filling the cracks using a plastic filler. Afterward, the technician will sand down the affected area until it’s smooth. The typical bumper crack repair cost is between $300-$500 and will largely depend on the severity of the damage.
Once the formerly cracked areas are smooth, the operation moves to the repainting. In this case, the more expensive your car’s paint is, the higher the repair cost. The whole process shouldn’t take more than two to three hours. Once again, bumper crack repairs only apply if the damage isn’t too severe and only cosmetic.
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Bumper Repair vs. Bumper Replacement
Does it make more sense to repair the cracked bumper or replace it altogether? This depends on the severity of the damage. Once you bring in your vehicle, the body shop technician will assess the damage on the bumper and determine if it needs a repair or replacement.
As detailed earlier, minor cracks and holes are easily repairable by filling, sanding down, and repainting. However, the technician will recommend a bumper replacement if the damage is quite severe (usually when the bumper is ripped and in several pieces). Keep in mind that a replacement will cost more both in parts and labor.
According to GetJerry.com, a bumper replacement will cost around $800-$2,000, and the price will vary depending on your vehicle’s model and make. Most cars will have bumper covers for $300-$500. For example, the front bumper cover for the Toyota Camry is $325.79 MSRP. However, it doesn’t say if it includes the paint, so it’s fair to expect that you’ll pay another $100 for the paint. Finally, the labor cost should be around $400-$900, depending on the job’s complexity.
Meanwhile, if you’re driving a luxury car like an Audi or Mercedes, be prepared to pay more for OEM bumpers and other related components. Furthermore, this may also mean you’ll have to work with a licensed technician, in which case, labor should also cost more than non-luxury vehicles.
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Does Insurance Cover Bumper Damage?
If you have comprehensive coverage, you may be able to get a new bumper replacement without paying out of pocket. In addition, if you have collision coverage, a damaged bumper resulting from an accident will have you covered. The best practice is to get in touch with your insurance provider and find out what’s covered or not.
Generally, it makes little sense to file a claim if the bumper damage is minor, and you’ll end up paying more in deductibles than the actual repair cost. However, if you have a low deductible, it may be worth it to file a claim to fix your car’s bumper.
Should You Go the DIY Route?
Obviously, your bumper crack repair cost will be much lower if you fix the damage yourself rather than going to a body shop. However, we can only recommend the DIY route if you actually know what you’re doing. It would be best if you had the proper knowledge, skills, and tools to fix a dented or cracked bumper. If so, then we highly recommend the DIY solution. Plus, many tutorial videos online can help you accomplish this task.
On the other hand, if you’re not confident with your skills as a car body technician, you’re better off dealing with professionals. You may cause more damage and make things worse if you don’t know what you’re doing – leading to higher repair bills down the line.
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