A week or so ago I was rear-ended on the interstate after the flow of traffic had stopped abruptly. I had enough distance between the car in front of me to stop safely without collision. They guy behind me either didn't or didn't react quick enough and collided with the rear of my car. By the time he had hit me he couldn't have been going more than 25mph. My back bumper held up surprisingly well with minimal damage (the license plate inset is smashed in). The Lithia collision center damage estimator gave me an estimate of $800. I noticed the next day that this was all labor work (bondo?). Apparently my assumption that they were going to replace the bumper was wrong. They told me that they aren't in charge of assessing the value of cars after a repair is made and that I should contact somebody else about it. They also told me that to replace the bumper would be another $200.

The guy who hit, his claim adjuster is a bit of a dick and I'm not sure they will go for paying the extra $200 to replace the bumper.

Any advice where I can get information if simply "repairing" (bondo) the damage to the bumper decreases the overall value of my '06 Cobalt SS/SC? If so, I'll need it in writing to show the claim adjuster. If all else fails, is it worth it to pay out-of-pocket the extra $200 to have the bumper replace?

Thanks for any advice!

 

Hell no make him pay for what eever its going to cost to get everything new.
He hit you ..And you had stock parts on it before he hit you so you want what your car came with.

Bondo will just fall out after awhile .
Theplastic on the bumper is bendable and you cant use bondo on it.

Fight that S*** Tell them you want all OEM parts new.
Thats what came on it ...thats what you want and dont settle for less


Good Luck