Rear Bumper/Hatch Damaged in Accident. What to do next?
 

I was rear ended today (photos attached). I had a police report taken. The other drivers insurance card was expired. Looks like the rear hatch and bumper needs replacing. I have AAA. Is it best to take it into one of their recommended shops or take it to a mini specialist shop? I read that the recommended shops by the insurance has a warranty for the life of the ownership (at least that is what the website says). Is this something I need to take to a mini specialist repair shop, or would the recommended shop do?

I really doubt that there are any body shops that are MINI specialists. Perhaps there are some that do mostly European cars near you that would do a nice job. Either way I'd be more interested in the reputation of the shop as opposed to the cars they work on. It looks like pretty basic repairs are needed for your MINI anyway. The paint match and quality of the parts are the primary concern with this kind of work. With that said, find out the name of the body shop the insurance company recommends and check them out.

The warranty for work done at the recommended shop is a plus. My company offers the same thing and I have used their shop with good results. I have MetLife insurance.

One of the advantages of using 'one of their' shops is if things don't turn out quite right the insurance company will stand up and go to battle with the shop for you. If you select your own shop and things don't turn out right your insurance company will not go to bat for you. You'll be on your own.

At an insurance company recommended/preferred shop you have to ask who does the shop work for? You or the insurance company.

Do you want it "good enough" or "like new"? Do you want to be able to tell the car was in an accident, or completely blemish free? Are they concerned about the next insurance company lead, or more concerned about you?

My recommendation is to ask where your local MINI/BMW shop takes their cars and go there. Your not paying for it so use the guys the dealers use.

And don't be surprised if it's some guy in a business park instead of a place that does a lot of advertising.

All places will make it right after the fact, "lifetime" warranties on body work is snake oil insurance companies use to get you to go to a shop where they know it will be cheaper.

was the driver arrested ? That is the only way to enforce insurance, do like Canada, no INS , they TOW your car right then and now and arrest you.

I read about that online. AAA has Direct Repair Network and lists places to visit. Some are listed as Premier, which means they are rated well by AAA. For the others I just checked the online reviews. Seems a few places on their list were rated well. I will more likely go to the AAA recommended so if any issues come up, they can deal directly with the shop. But the review of the shop I will go for an estimate has enough good reviews (and the shop replies to the reviews with additional information). Seems like a reputable place.




Paint match seems to be the key issue since you mentioned that the repairs are not that difficult.


Not sure what a quote like this would run. I would guess a few thousand.


I read online that I should go to a few shops for quotes, but the bumper is rubbing the tire so not sure I should drive it much (makes a rubbing noise). I tried pulling it back out, but it won't move back easily. I found a shop about 2 miles from me, so will go there first.

paint color match is not an issue

today paints are mixed by computer ... you put the paint color code into the machine and it delivers the factory color

paint APPLICATION is a different thing . . . .

Being it a Mini I would use a Mini recommended body shop if not their own. This way you will get Mini parts not some knock off part. My Expedition was rear ended and AAA had me take to to their shop. The did not use Ford parts for the rear bumper cover. 3 years later the black trim has all faded and discolored. The body shop chain is either gone or merged. If my Mini is hit it goes to Mini. In California we have a choice. Paint is one thing Body Parts should be OEM especially on a car like a Mini

Tom

Being it a Mini I would use a Mini recommended body shop if not their own. This way you will get Mini parts not some knock off part. My Expedition was rear ended and AAA had me take to to their shop. The did not use Ford parts for the rear bumper cover. 3 years later the black trim has all faded and discolored. The body shop chain is either gone or merged. If my Mini is hit it goes to Mini. In California we have a choice. Paint is one thing Body Parts should be OEM especially on a car like a Mini. From the pictures minimum new hatch, bumper cover black wheel lip molding can't tell if rear Quarter panel was damaged or under the bumper.

Tom

I had some work done on my Mini and it was a AAA preferred shop that AAA gave me a list of in my area, so I took it in and the work was substandard. The shop tried to say it was a manufacturer related issue and they would not lift a finger to fix it right, so I called my adjuster out to have a look and after the shop gave me the boot, AAA calls me and says their willing to pay whatever it takes to correct the issue. AAA has a lot of power over preferred shops, thats how theses shops remain preferred shops! However if you take it to a non preferred shop and you aren't satisfied with the job, AAA can't do anything to help you! Your on your own at that point.

The AAA approved shop uses OEM parts unless stated on the estimate. The estimate was $2,400 for parts and labor. All OEM parts.

AAA has a deal with Hertz for a rental (if you pay about $50 a year) while the car is repaired. Hertz picked me up at the repair shop and drove me to the rental location and I got a Sentra temporarily, until the Mini is fixed. The shop seems good so I'll see how the workmanship is.

I would pick your own shop, preferably a Certified Mini or BMW auto collision shop.

Same thing happened to me earlier this year.
I also have AAA and used one of their shops with good results.

There were Premium preferred shops and preferred shops. Maybe the Premium are the ones they have special relationships to cut corners.


I was worried if I went to a mini shop the quote would be twice as much, and thus my rates would increase to cover the difference. I read that some people think this is how insurance companies cover the extra expenses.

I handled automobile insurance claims for 25 years. I'll let you in on a little secret. Just because a body shop is affiliated with a particular dealership doesn't mean a thing when it comes to the quality of work.

If you have any high end dealerships (Ferrari, Rolls Royce, etc.) in your area there's a good chance they don't have a body shop because of the small volume of sales they have. However, that doesn't mean that occasionally they don't have a need to have some body work done. Ask them who does their work for them. Don't be surprised if it's some little shop off the back of an alley somewhere. It all depends on the man doing the job and not the name that's over the door.

If I have read this thread correctly you were rear ended by an uninsured motorist. Thus the uninsured motorist rider on your policy kicks in. Repairs under this situation should have no impact on your insurance rates.

Each state is different so YMMV, but this has been my experience in CA and IL.

If your with a major company then you have a local agent, they are there to help and answer questions in these situations.

AMEN AMEN !!!!!

Wife did the books for a shop like this and when someone backed into her AUDI we took it to them for repair .... at first they said they would not work on it cuz it was 'just an AUDI' but once the relationship was identified they did the work . . . and it came out very good.

I've never heard of a MINI CERTIFIED body shop ..... and I do body work and painting on the side .....

Only the LARGER dealers have body shops in house, and there is no reason to believe they are the best body shops in town . . .

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what you need to do is ask around .... I don't know where you are ... is there a local MINI group? Or a British Car group? Or ... seek out a car show this weekend and ask folks there who's the best body shop.
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or find your local MAACO ...... some are better than others!