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 post-accident.

When to File

It’s worth filing an insurance claim for bumper damage when:

• Your repairs cost more than your collision or comprehensive insurance deductible, meaning the damage to your vehicle is extensive.
• You have accident forgiveness, meaning your rates won’t increase just because you filed a claim.

When Not to File

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

• Your repairs cost less than your deductible, meaning your damage is minor.
• You don’t have accident forgiveness, so filing a claim will increase insurance rates.
• The accident involved your car only, like getting a scratched bumper from hitting a telephone pole.¹

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.² Find your state’s time frame for submitting claims in the chart below.

At Fault vs. No-Fault

Was the bumper damage your fault or did another driver cause it? That’s a critical factor to consider when weighing whether to file a claim. Typically, your rates will increase more following at-fault accidents, although rate increases are possible even if someone hits your parked car. That’s why it’s essential to figure out if a claim will increase your rates before you file.

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.

While car repair costs differ greatly based on location, here are the average repair and replacement costs for bumpers.

Most likely, your auto insurance premiums will increase if you file a claim for bumper repair. However, they will increase less if you weren’t at fault and won’t increase at all if your accident forgiveness applies.

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, with online auto insurance, add it manually to your policy via the insurance company’s website or mobile app.

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.