[Red Suburu]

After years of no contact with anyone a lady hit me sitting at a stop light just hard enough to need a bumper cover(and possibly wheel arch molding?) The cover is popped out about an inch on the drivers side where it is under the wheel arch molding also of course pushing out the wheel arch molding. If I understand that would mean a brace has been broken. Most of the obvious damage on the rear is on the cover of the tow hook access.

My Questions:

Obviously I want new parts...will this be an issue on a 2014?
Will the wheel arch molding seat correctly after this or should it be replaced?
Would a minor impact like this which will show up on an accident report diminish the value enough to pursue diminished value?
I have a trailer hitch which doesn't look like it took a hit. I estimate the impact speed was + or - 5 MPH. Any chance of hidden damage?
I am an hour and a 1/2 from the nearest Suburu body shop. Should I be compensated for my time? I figure it will take 3 trips....1st for the estimate...2nd to drop it off(obviously they need to pay for rental) and 3rd to pick it up after repair! That totals 9 hours + time there..so probably 12 hours?

Thanks!

 

[johnre]

First, competent body shops can use genuine Subaru parts, so it's not necessary to use a Subaru shop.

I would get a bid from any nearby shop that has good references and you trust, and tell them you want genuine Subaru replacement parts, nothing less. That will get you a bid and all of the part numbers listed that are needed to do the repair, for future reference.

It may be that the 2014 is new enough that there are only Subaru bumper covers available. But having this bid in hand will get you a reference point, should they attempt to use non Subaru parts.

My somewhat similar story here: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...-keep-wifes-11-ob-rear-ended.html#post4541698 Insurance adjuster tried to slip in aftermarket Chinese parts into a "preferred shop bid" on me, sent a check for full settlement, and only backed down when I refused their check and insisted on using genuine parts. But you have to play their game; when I initially called and asked why their check was less than my own estimate, they were evasive and I had to sleuth this out.

Your time is usually not compensated.

 

[mrculver]

My '11 got a nasty one by the gas door I'm waiting to fix. Spend 8 months of the year in AL and the only shop I trust is in VA. No need to use Subaru directly. Some insurance companies try to push non-OEM parts on the shop to save costs, but a good body guy can make them pay for the real deal. Just be very firm that you want OEM only.

 

[PRGMC]

First, competent body shops can use genuine Subaru parts, so it's not necessary to use a Subaru shop.

I would get a bid from any nearby shop that has good references and you trust, and tell them you want genuine Subaru replacement parts, nothing less. That will get you a bid and all of the part numbers listed that are needed to do the repair, for future reference.

It may be that the 2014 is new enough that there are only Subaru bumper covers available. But having this bid in hand will get you a reference point, should they attempt to use non Subaru parts.

My somewhat similar story here: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...-keep-wifes-11-ob-rear-ended.html#post4541698 Insurance adjuster tried to slip in aftermarket Chinese parts into a "preferred shop bid" on me, sent a check for full settlement, and only backed down when I refused their check and insisted on using genuine parts. But you have to play their game; when I initially called and asked why their check was less than full settlement, they were evasive and I had to sleuth this out.

Your time is usually not compensated.

If your insurance company/adjuster continues to push aftermarket parts, consult a lawyer. I had a bad experience with a shady insurance company (i.e., GMAC Insurance) where their shady adjuster tried to cover up hidden damage (i.e., bent brackets and a bent frame) behind my rear bumper. I'm thankful that the reputable body shop that I took my vehicle to wouldn't go for second rate repairs. After that bad experience, I changed insurance companies. In terms of customer satisfaction, the California Dept of Insurance rates GMAC Insurance #50 out of 50 auto insurance companies.

 

[johnre]

If your insurance company/adjuster continues to push aftermarket parts, consult a lawyer. ......After that bad experience, I changed insurance companies.

Both in my situation and I believe the OP's in this thread, it was the other party's insurance company that we had to deal with, not ours. That changes the dynamics of interaction with adjusters quite a bit.

 

[Red Suburu]

I will say the lady's insurance is very quick. The claim was made and done before the police arrived to write up the accident report! Their adjuster is supposed to be at my house between 9 and 9:30 this morning. I haven't had a chance to check on local body shops or talk to Suburu.

 

[eagleeye]

I am sure some people here will want to see pics,

but considering the wording of the title,...I for one am happy this board is about cars.0

 

[Red Suburu]

Pictures. All I can say for my piece of mind is at least the trailer hitch didn't take the impact. That would worry me..even a low speed impact because of the unibody.

 

[z28dug]

I'm guessing your bumper cover will be repaired and the wheel arch re-attached. Looks like most of the damage is to the plug that hides the tie-down.

 

[Red Suburu]

I'm guessing your bumper cover will be repaired and the wheel arch re-attached. Looks like most of the damage is to the plug that hides the tie-down.

From what I have been able to find out there is a brace under the wheel arch molding that is broken and probably can't be repaired. I was also told the wheel arch molding will not stay flush with the body unless it is replaced. The cover is split below the plug as well as the lower black piece. The adjuster's car broke down...go figure! I'm going to a local body shop with excellent reviews sometime today.

 

[johnre]

I'm guessing your bumper cover will be repaired and the wheel arch re-attached. Looks like most of the damage is to the plug that hides the tie-down.

It's also going to be two new light assemblies - both lenses are scuffed / scratched.

 

[Red Suburu]

It's also going to be two new light assemblies - both lenses are scuffed / scratched.

That must be a product of the pictures as I see no scuffs. Her bumper was lower than the tail light assembly and the reflector was recessed enough to protect it.

 

[z28dug]

That must be a product of the pictures as I see no scuffs. Her bumper was lower than the tail light assembly and the reflector was recessed enough to protect it.

Phew....thought my eyes were going bad there for a moment.

 

[hallux]

If your insurance company/adjuster continues to push aftermarket parts, consult a lawyer. I had a bad experience with a shady insurance company (i.e., GMAC Insurance) where their shady adjuster tried to cover up hidden damage (i.e., bent brackets and a bent frame) behind my rear bumper. I'm thankful that the reputable body shop that I took my vehicle to wouldn't go for second rate repairs. After that bad experience, I changed insurance companies. In terms of customer satisfaction, the California Dept of Insurance rates GMAC Insurance #50 out of 50 auto insurance companies.

While I won't discount your experience, the question of aftermarket parts is different from covering up damage.

As for the aftermarket part question - 90% of insurance policies are written in such a way that aftermarket or LKQ (OEM but used and good condition) parts are standard, no assurance of new OEM parts. It's hard to get around this when dealing directly with your policy (the one that YOU agreed to for coverage on your vehicle) but it might be easier when submitting directly to the at-fault's insurance company as they/you are not bound by a contract you signed. At least one insurance company offers an add-on to assure new OEM parts when repairing a vehicle (if available) - Nationwide. I use them and my rate is competitive once you factor in the approx. 10% surcharge for this additional coverage. I think this changes slightly when dealing with vehicles less than a year old, the insurance company may be obligated to repair with new OEM parts in those cases (which is not the case here, obviously).

 

[Red Suburu]

Well I got an estimate from what appears to be a good body shop with many online reviews. It's amazing their labor rate is only $44.00 per hour. Given what mechanic labor rates are is this the industry standard???

I think the big issue is going to be if the wheel arch molding won't seat against the body(which Suburu told me it will not). They only sell the whole kit. With that included with OEM parts the total came to $1,273.97

It's amazing in a way. The older cars with chrome bumpers and the rubber would have had 0 damage!

 

[eagleeye]

It's amazing in a way. The older cars with chrome bumpers and the rubber would have had 0 damage!

I will round you up a mint condition 1985 Ford Escort, ...if you want a straight up trade.

as a alternative

1980s VW Rabbits had the $5.00 orange plastic signal lights in their chrome bumpers....those were known to crack in such wrecks and need replacing.

 

[johnre]

....At least one insurance company offers an add-on to assure new OEM parts when repairing a vehicle (if available) - Nationwide. I use them and my rate is competitive once you factor in the approx. 10% surcharge for this additional coverage.

At least one other company offers this - Farmers - which I know because I put this coverage on after I won the fight with the other party's insurance to use genuine Subaru parts.

But I think it's a pretty questionable value, because the claim has to be processed through them to get this, even when you aren't the party at fault. So in that situation, even though you won't be charged with an accident on your policy, you still might pay a deductable.

Thus, I treat this option as the last resort after you finish fighting with the other party's insurance company and they won't budge.