Hi guys,

I have a 07 Scion tC, 38k miles on it, and I am going to sell it in two months. Unforunately, I just got a hit & run. No one is caught. My front bumper is damaged. There are deep scratches on my bumper, and a big dent on my right fender.

The bodyshop told me I need to replace a new bumper, and blend L/R fenders for color-match. The repair would cost at least $1K. I called my insurance provider, and they said my UM did not cover my case since no one was identified in this accident. I have to file a claim for "collision protection" if i want to fix my car. My deductible is 500 dollars.

Here are my questions.

1. If I file a claim with insurance, how will the repair record affect my car resale value? (I am selling it in two months)

2. Should I just keep my car unfix and sell at a lower price? Becasue I need to pay for 500 deductible, I am not sure if I can earn 500 back and sell my car at a higher price even if i fix my car. I am afraid when a buyer sees my collision report, he may offer a much lower price.

3. Any suggestions? Any comments? Would you guys fix it before selling it?

Thanks a lot guys. I really hate Hit & Run

 

I used to work at a dealership, and they took off like DOUBLE what it would cost to fix. So if your car is worth 10k undamaged and it costs 1k to fix your damage, their going to give you 8.

Pay the $500. I need to lower my deductable also. I am thinking more like $250. I'm afraid someone is going to key me or something, but only half arsed and do $400 worth of damage that I have to pay for.


Anyway, thats just my opinion. The damage is so small i'm not sure if it will be filed as an accident or not?

 

Higher deductibles = less monthly and vice versa. Body shops dont report unless its major damage usually. If you look long term your insurance is going to be a bit higher if you plan to stay with them. Its best to fix it now and pay the deductible, you can always move to new insurance providers who will possibly go lower or match your old premium.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Actually, I will be leaving the country. I do not really care about my premium in the future. What bothers me is I am not sure if my insurance record would affect the resale value of my tC. As I said, I am selling my tC in 2 months. I am not sure which option will give me better money in return

1. File a claim to insurance company (pay 500 deductible). Fix it before selling it. Not sure if insurance record would affect resale value.

2. Fix the car without reporting to insurance company (pay 1k), then sell it. Not sure if this 1k can help selling the car at a higher price whcih will cover the money i pay

3. Keep the car as it is now. Sell at a lower price. Not sure how low it will go


thanks a lot

 

Your insurance record never influences your resale. What can affect your resale value is if it has had a major accident ie frame damage etc.

 

$250 deductible...yeah you might pay a little bit more. I say make the insurance claim pay only $500 and have it done correctly. Depening where you live a police report is good enough for them in case of a hit & run.

 

Guys, I just added some images of damaged bumper and curved-in fender.

If I sell it without fix, how much should i expect from buyers if they bargain for a lower price? 800-1k?

 

They are going to ask a lot lower than what it would cost to fix it, reason being that it takes time out of their hands to go and get that crap fixed.

 

U need a Whole new bumper....

I just replaced my Rear BUmper from someone Rear Ending me...

 

Yea.....that's what the body shop told me ...... it will cost 800......Parts + labor

 

fix it...
1. most likely if you are selling as a private seller then the person will not even run a carfax if its in pretty good shape...
2. if i saw that car i would offer at least 1500-2000 less because i'm a private buyer i don't know how much it would cost to get it fixed and i'm not about to go to a body shop and get an estimate and then come back to buy a car i'll just get the better deal of 1500-2000 less or leave it..
3. first impression is everything.. if i saw a beatup car then that makes me think that you wrecked it.. and makes me wonder what else is wrong with it.

 

Fix it yourself! I just replace my bumper because of rock dings. The bumper cost around 200 dollars from toyota and you just need it painted. Just have them match it to its color code, there is no need to blend the fenders. The body shop just wants your money. The paint job cost me 300 dollars. Only took me 2 hrs to take off the old, fit the oem lip kit on the new, and then install the new. bumper on the car. It was very easy to do and it turned out great! The front of my car looks brand new. Thats what I would do. 500 dollars total.

 

yeah easy fix if you DIY. just buy a primered bumper and take it to a shop to get painted.

it will cost about the same as your deductable and you won't have to worry about a claim being filed on carfax or what not.