How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Bumper That Is Falling Off?
Car Bumper in the Plaza by Mr.TinDC —CC BY-ND 2.0
There are many reasons why your bumper would fall off your vehicle. The most common of those reasons is a rear-end accident. These accidents usually leave minor damage and are primarily targeted at the bumper. The bumper absorbs the impact so that nothing else gets damaged. So if this happens to you, how much does it cost to fix a bumper that is falling off might be a valid question you have.
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Insurance
In most cases, the person who rear-ends the person in front of them will be held at fault unless you live in a no-fault insurance state. In a no-fault insurance state, no matter who was at fault for an accident, your insurance will have to pick up the bill.
This makes it easy to see how important it can be to have insurance and know what is covered on your insurance.
Insurance Deductible
It’s common for some people to opt for a higher deductible for a lower monthly payment on their insurance. If this is your route, you might want to get an estimate on the damage. If the damage is less than the deductible, paying out-of-pocket for the repairs would be wise.
If you don’t, you will pay more for the deductible than the repairs cost and risk your insurance premiums going up.
How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Bumper That is Falling Off?
The price of any automobile repair will vary from shop to shop and vehicle to vehicle. It usually goes like this: The more expensive the car, the more it will cost to fix the vehicle.
If your bumper is hanging off, one would half assume you incurred enough damage to need to have the bumper replaced. This will cost more than just having a scratch or a dent removed. Bumper costs will probably cost around $200 - $500 for a front or a rear bumper. That is for your average run-of-the-mill vehicle. Again, the more expensive the car or larger or exotic, you will pay more for the bumper.
How Much Will Labor Cost You for a New Bumper?
The cost to paint and hang a new bumper will depend on the shop or dealership you take it to. Between the cost of the bumper’s paint job and labor, you will be shelling out about $900 - $1,500. A shop or dealership on the up-and-up probably won’t have much price difference.
The price will go up depending on whether the headlights or parking lights are embedded in the bumper, and cameras and sensors involved with the bumper will also increase the price.
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What Can You Do to Save Money?
Not everyone cares so much about how their car looks. So if you don’t mind having a bumper on your vehicle with no paint job on it (flat black, primer color), you will probably save a few hundred bucks. This may save you a few bucks but don’t forget about resale value; this will hurt it.
Do You Need Your Bumper Replaced?
How much does it cost to fix a bumper that is falling off? vs. How much does it cost to rehang the old bumper? If you can rehang your bumper, you could save a significant amount of money, but that’s up to you.
You can attempt this yourself or have it done professionally. Still, if the bumper is too damaged, a professional body shop probably won’t help you with this job for safety reasons. But if they can fix it, it might just be adjusting, and a few bolts and your vehicle could be good to go.
This is not recommended, but I have seen people rehang their bumper with Duct tape and have it work. If you’re hanging your bumper to get to a body shop, you could use this method or something similar like wire or a clothes hanger. But these methods are not recommended for everyday use or any activity where you have to increase your speed to more than you would on a side road.
Is It Illegal to Drive Without a Bumper?
It’s tempting to drive without a bumper since, technically, it doesn’t affect how your vehicle runs, but the police can pull you over for defective equipment and give you either a fix-it ticket or a fix-it ticket with a fine.
Hint: Don’t get lippy with the police, and you will probably drive away with just a fix-it ticket and not a fine.
Another Hint: A dragging bumper is much more dangerous and easier for police to spot and want to pull you over than if you just had no bumper. So if you have to wait a few days to get your bumper fixed, it’s best to do one of two things: tie or tape it up and out of the way or take the whole bumper off.
Panting and Hanging a Bumper Yourself
How much does it cost to fix a bumper falling off if you plan on fixing it yourself? If you find that your bumper needs little attention, like a few nuts, bolts, and screws, you will save a lot of money by doing it yourself. But if you have a no-good bumper, then you’ll be on the search for a replacement bumper.
You might find a used bumper in good shape for your vehicle for about half the price of a new one if you look in places like eBay, Craigslist, or a junkyard. You can shop for a new replacement at any dealership that deals with your car’s make; you can also check Amazon: automotive, carparts.com, RockAuto.com, and a number of other automotive outlets for the part you need.
Now painting your bumper is up to you. If you can do the painting correctly yourself - great, you just saved some more money. But if you don’t know how to paint auto parts, it is best to leave the painting to the professionals.
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How Long Will an Auto Body Shop Take To Fix Your Hanging Bumper Problem?
It could take a body shop anywhere from a couple of hours to about three business days to fix your hanging bumper. Everything from how busy the body shop is to how much work is needed to be done to your vehicle and what kind of vehicle you have will all play a part in the time frame in which they can get your project done for you.
Hint: Don’t rush the body shop or complain about time; it will only take them longer to get your car done. And the price to the question of “how much does it cost to fix a bumper that is falling off?” might go up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to drive with a loose bumper?
While a loose or hanging bumper won’t directly affect your driving, it’s generally unsafe to drive with a loose bumper. It’s only safe to go if you manage to hold the bumper in place using mounting clips or zip ties, and that’s only if a small section of the bumper is loose. A police officer may pull you over and give you a ticket if they notice your loose bumper.
When should you replace a bumper instead of repairing it?
In most cases, the technician will determine if the bumper can be repaired or needs to be replaced. If the bumper only has scratches, tiny dents, or other surface damage, it’s still a good candidate for repair. On the other hand, if the bumper is cracked or has significant paint damage, the best option is to replace it.
Is it cheaper to replace or repair a hanging bumper?
Bumper repair is a cheaper option than replacement. Sometimes, all you need to fix a loose or hanging bumper is a $15 epoxy. Meanwhile, depending on your vehicle type, a brand-new bumper cover will cost you around $200-$1,500.
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