Should I File an Insurance Claim for Bumper Damage?

The answer depends on the size of your deductible, the extent of the damage and your insurance company’s policies surrounding car insurance rate increases after an accident.

It’s important to first assess the severity of the damage and the accident. For example: Were you in a collision with another vehicle, which caused a dent to your bumper and damage to the other vehicle? Or, did you scratch your bumper pulling into a tight driveway? In cases like the former, and another party was involved, you should notify your insurer. In cases like the latter, it probably makes sense to repair the damage out of pocket, without involving your insurer.

When to File

Consider the following questions when deciding whether or not to file a claim:

• How bad is the damage? If your repairs cost significantly more than your collision or comprehensive insurance deductible, meaning the damage to your vehicle is extensive, you should make a claim on your insurance. The purpose of your insurance is to protect you, and prevent you from paying significant out of pocket expenses if your vehicle is damaged.
• Do you have accident forgiveness? If your policy includes accident forgiveness, your rates won’t increase just because you filed a claim. In this instance, you don’t have to weigh the cost of repairs versus an increase on your premium.
• Were you in an accident with another driver? If your bumper damage was caused in an accident with another driver, you should notify your insurance company. Learn more about whether it’s worth reporting a minor incident.
• Were you or another party injured? In this instance, even if injuries appear minimal, it’s advisable to file a claim so that your insurer can cover the cost of any medical treatment.
• Were you at fault? If you were the at-fault driver in an accident, you can expect your premiums to increase more than if you were not at-fault (though you may find your premiums increase if you were not at-fault, too). Drivers with recent at-fault accidents are considered high-risk by insurance companies, leading to higher premiums. Even so, if you were at fault in an accident with another driver, you should notify your insurance, so it can cover damage or injury expenses for the other driver.

When Not to File

It’s not worth filing an insurance claim for bumper damage when:

• Your repairs cost less (or slightly more than) your deductible, meaning your damage is minor. For example, if your deductible is $500 and the damages were $800, it’s likely worth paying out of pocket if you can afford it, due to the potential for premiums to increase after filing a claim.
• The accident involved your car only, like getting a scratched bumper from hitting a telephone pole.¹

Before you decide whether to file for bumper damage, you should determine whether or not you’re covered. Car insurance will only cover your bumper damage if you have collision or comprehensive coverage. Collision insurance will pay for damage due to collisions while comprehensive covers damage from noncollisions, including inclement weather, theft and vandalism. Meanwhile, if you caused bumper damage to another car, your liability coverage will cover the other driver’s damages. Similarly, if another drive caused your bumper damage, their liability coverage should pay for your damages.

Bumper damage can mean anything from a minor scrape to expensive sensor damage repair if your vehicle is equipped with driving-assist features. While car repair costs differ by location, here are the average repair and replacement costs for bumpers.²

Exact costs of bumper repair can vary significantly depending on a number of factors. Get a quote from a trusted body shop for the most accurate rates. Additionally, resources like RepairPal can help you estimate the cost of repairs in your area, and help ensure the body shop gives you a fair price.

Most likely, your auto insurance premiums will increase if you file a claim for bumper repair. However, if you weren’t at fault, this may be a smaller or no increase. If you have accident forgiveness, your rates will not increase.

Having collision and comprehensive insurance coverage is wise if you want to avoid paying out of pocket for any physical damages. To get these coverages, either contact your insurance agent or add it to your policy via the insurance company’s website or mobile app.

Statutes of Limitations

If you choose to file a claim, make sure you do it within your state’s statute of limitations for property damage claims. Otherwise, your insurance company won’t be obligated to uphold your coverage.⁴ Find your state’s time frame for submitting claims in the chart below.

You should file a claim for bumper damage if the repairs are expensive. For minor repairs, consider paying out of pocket to avoid premium increases. If you’re involved in an accident involving another party, you should always file a claim.

You can file a claim for bumper damage if you have collision or comprehensive coverage, regardless of who is at fault. If another driver caused the accident, their liability insurance should pay for your damages. If you decide to file a claim for bumper damage, be sure to submit photographs, detailed notes about the cause, and, if there was a collision, a police report to use in your claim. The more evidence you have, the greater chance of a payout that will make you whole again, such as cover your total losses.