How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Side Mirror?
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Your side mirror is one of those things that you use every time you drive. Whether you’re on your way to work for the day or backing out of your driveway, you need it to help you get a better view while driving. If it breaks or gets damaged, you may have to replace it, which comes with a few costs.
How much does it cost to fix a side mirror, and can you do it yourself? These are two questions that we will answer down below. Though it seems like a simple operation, you may need to seek professional help, one that can do it for you without charging you too much.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Side Mirror?
On average, replacing a side mirror comes with a cost of $299. The total price is typically broken down into two sections, the materials, and the labor. For materials, you’re looking for anywhere between $139 and $328, and for the labor, you may pay up to $90.
When determining how much does it cost to fix a side mirror, there are a few factors that play in that affect the final cost. For instance, you need to think about the type of car and the year. Nowadays, vehicles with technical side mirrors map out roads and detect pedestrians. If that’s the type of side mirror you have, then your average cost will be high.
In addition, you need to take your location into account, looking around to see the average prices and whether or not there is a bit of competition to offset fees. When replacing your mirror, you want to be careful, avoiding extra and unforeseen costs like tickets and other damages due to lack of visibility.
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Options to Repair a Side Mirror
When you need to replace your side mirror, you have a few options. You can either take care of the repairs yourself or consult an expert who can take care of everything. Whatever you choose, you need to keep some things in mind and avoid causing more damage.
You may want to seek a professional opinion before moving forward, and you should always ask a professional to avoid additional damages if there is a serious problem.
Tools to Replace your Side Mirror
When replacing your side mirror, a few tools help you do it. Before you start doing anything, you need to consider the type of care you have and possibly look in a manual or online to see if you need to consider any minor details. Then, you can gather the following tools:
- A screwdriver
- A ratchet
- Safety glasses (recommended)
- Gloves *if dealing with broken glass
Replacing your Side Mirror At Home
Once you find out how much does it cost to fix a side mirror; you might consider doing it on your own to save a few bucks. If you’re handy and know what you’re doing, it can be a piece of cake to get in and get it done. However, if you want to try something new, ensure you proceed with care.
May you ask? Why? Well, that’s because if you do any damage to your car, you could be fully reliable. Insurance and other perks wouldn’t help you out if you didn’t take it to a certified mechanic, which could drive up the bill. Plus, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could damage other parts of your car, costing you more.
If you decide to give it a go, you’ll need to remove your old mirror and install a new one. Are you wondering how that’s done? We’ll give you the scoop below. From doing it yourself to seeking the pros, we’ll line it out for you below.
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Removing your Side Mirror
As we said, you should consult a pamphlet or book that discusses the design of your car before you begin. Once you know how the mirror is attached, you can start the process of removal by following these steps:
- Roll your window down
- Disconnect any electrical wiring or fuses attached *if applicable
- Take the mirror out
- Pull and remove
Though it sounds simple, use caution when working with glass and keep up with the small pieces.
Installing A New Side Mirror
Out with the old and in with the new. Once you’ve disconnected everything, you likely understand how your mirror is attached more than before. Because of that, connecting should be easy, and you can do it by following the steps below.
- Place the mirror in position
- Connect all wires and fuses, making sure that everything is in place
- Screw the bolts that come with your new mirror into place
- Roll your window back up
- Enjoy!
When in Doubt, Call the Pros
Like with any other kinds of repairs, you should only go through with them if you’re sure. Don’t start removing random pieces and messing with electrical wires without the proper knowledge. You could cost yourself more in the long run if you’re not careful and double your original answer to “how much does it cost to fix a side mirror?”
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Does Insurance Cover Me?
Yes, your car insurance will likely cover you if you have collision or comprehensive coverage, but it also depends on several factors. With collision coverage, you can file a claim for any damage to your vehicle, regardless of whose fault it is. If the damage was due to your negligence, aka your fault, you and your insurance company will have to pay for the repairs.
However, since side mirror repairs are generally inexpensive, most people end up paying out of pocket. The main reason for this is the insurance deductible – it’s the money that the insurance holder pays out of pocket before the insurance company steps in to cover its portion of the damages.
When the damage is only localized to the side mirror, there’s a great chance that the deductible amount will be higher than the actual cost to repair. As mentioned earlier, the typical cost to repair a side mirror is between $139 - $328, while deductibles can range from $500 - $1,000, depending on the policy. Thus, filing a claim for side mirror repairs doesn’t make sense.
If you want to save as much money as possible, try to get another quote from a different auto shop.
Keep Visibility on the Road
Without a side mirror, you could be in a dangerous situation. You will not be able to see, but you could get a ticket if your mirror is badly damaged. To avoid it all, it’s best to get the problem fixed as soon as possible, sitting back and relaxing knowing that your car is in good shape.
Your side mirror is one of those critical parts of your car that you should immediately replace when broken. Whether you want to try it yourself or call the pros, keep your safety and your vehicle in mind.
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