It could be that much if they need to replace the wing and bumper and paint match. It depends whether you can negotiate to avoid using insurance.

 

Sounds about right. I got side swipe long time ago and the car needed a new bumper, fender, and paint. It was $1,900 all in with insurance.

You’re lucky you don’t have to replace a headlight because that’s $2,000 alone for a headlight…

 

Sounds about right. I had to replace my front bumper, left fender and left headlight. The bumper and fender also had to be painted. That with labor was $5600

 

Some paints cost more than others because of the colour. Not sure about that Outback, though.

How bad is the damage to your car?

 

Easily that much. I was recently rear ended with a few scratches on the bumper. Body shop said it was cheaper to replace the bumper than repair and paint the original. Over $1K either way. I’d be surprised if a body shop would fix that crease and repaint vs replacing the fender. I’d guess a new fender and bumper. Good luck with whatever turns out.

 

yeah that number doesn't surprise me. your guesstimate of $500 is probably just labor.

 

If it is more than your insurance deductible, go through them.

 

Not necessarily. A claim will increase your premiums.

 

Add me to the sea of people saying that sounds right. I worked in the parts department of a body shop/dealership and that $500 guesstimation would barely cover the parts involved, not even counting the expensive paint and labor, and I'm basing that off of prices a year and a half ago, its probably worse now.

 

That fender has a sharp crease such that replacement is probably required. The bumper cover may flex itself back into proper shape, but there may be some underlying and more serious problems, and it will at least need some paint. The days of $500 auto body repairs are gone, gone, gone, and not only for damage to Subarus. As others say, $2K is easily in the ballpark.

And a comment regarding references to insurance deductibles. There typically are deductible amounts for collision (damage to your vehicle) and comprehensive (other losses such as theft, vandalism) coverage, but not for liability -- damage resulting from your negligent actions. (My use of the term "negligent" is not to disparage, but rather relates to the legal standard under which a person is liable in a tort action for another person's losses.) So let your insurance pay for the repair unless you have an extra $2K lying around even though it may lead to an increase in your insurance premium for a few years.

 

Unless OP has accident forgiveness on the policy his rates won’t increase.

 

This thread has gone sideways from our New Member's initial inquiry.

Time to pause and wait for an update from the OP on which direction they choose to go. IF they wish to keep us strangers in the loop.

- Chris.

 

Hey everyone
I’m a college student and accidentally hit someone in a parking lot. She drives a Subar. When we got into the accident, we saw the small dent and assumed it wouldn’t be over $500 dollars. I got a call today that the estimate was TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS. I just wanted to ask here and see if I’m getting ripped off.
View attachment 318729

that's $500. $500 deductible

 

They should have seeked out paintless dent repair. What the good ones can do are nothing short of miracles. I had a small dent repaired for $265 that would have required the doors and quarter panel to be paint blended. It would have cost close to $1,500. The picture the op posted would be a easy repair for a good PDR guy. the scrape on the plastic can be touched up and buffed. I saw before and after pics in the shop,I will always seek out that option before going to a traditional body shop.

 

paintless dent removal ain't gonna fix that. there is also structural damage to the bumper. that's easily a $2000 repair

 

Not only can the damage in picture from the op posted be fixed but much worse was been done.

 

The video is impressive. I’ll be even more impressed if he only charges $500 for that.

Also, It’s not up to the OP how or where the car gets fixed. The owner of the car does that and isn’t under any obligation to find the cheapest solution. What if the paint less thing doesn’t work to the satisfaction of the owner or doesn’t want a paint touch up and scuffed plastic? Then they’re back to square one with lost time and money.

 

That estimate of $2,000 sounds about right if not actually low. $500 would hardly pay for pulling a small dent and a cheap and dirty remedy of filling it in with Bondo. This will require replacing the right front panel and possibly the whole front bumper although they might be able to remove the front bumper, pop out the dent, repaint it and re-install it.

 

It seems like OP got his answer. I agree that unfortunately $2k is reasonable.

Lets not clog up the thread with bickering about insurance rates and claims or whatever.

 

OT but I have a Crossrek Sport. I also have a Toyota RAV 4 hybrid. Someone cut in front of me 10 days ago when I was in the RAV 4. I drove it 160 miles home. It tracked straight as an arrow and no fluid was leaking - not coolant, not oil, nothing. Insurance has declared it a total loss nonetheless and are offering about 20k for it (2021, 45,000 miles). Not sure yet if I'll fix it; salvage titles can be a hassle but I need two cars and my next will likely be another Crosstrek Sport. I needed another 0.5 seconds to avoid impact on the dirt road I was traveling. I'd have had that 0.5 seconds in Crosstrek and there would have been no accident.

 

Don’t forget about rental car coverage. Someone hit me in the parking lot, on the passenger side door, with what looked like a bed frame. Got an estimate of $1,800 and thought I would just pay for it…boy am I glad I didn’t. The first repair they did looked like it was done by a third grader…that took one week. By the time I got my car back, it was a total of 17 days and insurance covered all of it. The rental car was only $35 a day (insurance co’s get discounts on the rentals) vs. over $90 a day if I had done it myself.

 

Hey everyone I’m a college student and accidentally hit someone in a parking lot. She drives a Subar. When we got into the accident, we saw the small dent and assumed it wouldn’t be over $500 dollars. I got a call today that the estimate was TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS. I just wanted to ask here and see if I’m getting ripped off. View attachment 318729

Welcome to the $$$ world of car repair. It will never match what your "feelings" about what it should cost. Drive safely and maintain good insurance!

Response removed by Forum Staff.

 

Ok I'm closing this thread.

OP if you come back and would like me to reopen it I will. Just send a DM.