Vehicle repair

[elessar78]

My wife messed up the lift gate on our car today.

Our insurance deductible is $1,000.

Option 1:
I got two estimates from body shops, $2600 and $3400 respectively. They want to do "the works". The main damage is to the lift gate and a spoiler. There's some secondary damage to the radio antenna that got sheared off. Out of pocket will only be $1,000 but also potential for a rise in insurance premiums.

Option 2:
The alternative is to get a replacement lift gate off ebay/salvage/junkyard for about $500-$750 and have it installed or come in under $1,000. With the added incentive that it won't affect our insurance premiums.

Any thoughts on which approach you would take?

[Jluke]

If you go through the insurance, you will lose any claim-free discounts that you may have on your policy. That is where the "increase" happens. of course this depends on your insurance company.

I would tell the body shop that you aren't going through insurance and tell them what you want fixed. See if that lowers the price to something more affordable. They assume they have a blank check to fix your car.

[bjl584]

I've always avoided the insurance companies and making a claim if I could.

I'd go with option 2 so long as safety isn't compromised.

[Fishindude77]

My view is that I have purchased insurance for many years with very few claims. If and when I have an expensive accident, I'm going to use my insurance to get my car properly and professionally repaired.

[greenskeeper]

How old is the car?

Option 2 seems like a no brainer in that you get the car repaired and avoid putting in a claim. Saves you about $250 or so as well.

[sv2007]

Option #2; a little more work on your part but you save on insurance increases for years to come. Just make sure the repair is up to standards (otherwise, next time you get into an accident, the insurance will not cover existing damage).

[elessar78]

2011 Mazda CX-7. It was in great looking condition. Good thing the damage is localized to the rear hatch. It's a cross over SUV type vehicle.

[TexasHusker]

I would get more estimates. Option 2 sounds good, but the odds are pretty good that the paint won't match, unless the vehicle is white or black. Or it will have scratches and dents itself. Then you're back to repairing the thing.

[TexasHusker]

My view is that I have purchased insurance for many years with very few claims. If and when I have an expensive accident, I'm going to use my insurance to get my car properly and professionally repaired.

That's a good view, except in the long run it could cost you a lot of money in future premiums, especially if you have a second, more expensive repair a year from now.

My rule of thumb is buy insurance but don't ever use it.

[disneysteve]

Our insurance deductible is $1,000.

Option 1:
I got two estimates from body shops, $2600

I would not file an insurance claim for a small amount like that. They'd only be paying out $1,600. Save the insurance for serious stuff. Pay that out of your emergency fund. You may find that the body shop will give you a better price when they know you're paying cash for the job. Getting a couple more estimates wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I would do the option 2 but I think fishing point of paint is a big deal.