[AC792]

Hi guys, I hit a raccoon last night and it ended up putting a little crack in my bumper. I am thinking of filing a claim through insurance to get a new bumper. My comprehensive deductible is only $250, so it wouldn't be too bad.

Question for all of you though. I have a sportline F30 and if I'm going to get a new bumper, I'd like to do the M-Sport bumper. Anyone have any recommendations on how I could get the shop to replace with the M-Sport bumper? I know I can't just swap the OEM M-Sport bumper on but there are reps out there that fit on the sportline that I'd like to get if possible. I hear some insurance companies will only replace the exact part number that is on the car, but maybe you guys have some experience or insight to put forth. My insurance is State Farm for what it's worth.

Thanks!

[dave405nyc]

Just have the insurance company write out a check to your name, and use the money to pay whatever shop you go with, letting them know that you want the m-sport bumper.

[AC792]

Originally Posted by dave405nyc

Just have the insurance company write out a check to your name, and use the money to pay whatever shop you go with, letting them know that you want the m-sport bumper.

Is it really that easy? That sounds ideal!

[jd_perspective]

If you owe money on the car, likely the insurance company won't write a check out to you. I went through this a year ago.

However, when you go get your car repaired, before they order the part ask for the M-Sport bumper. They should be able to provide you the difference in price (if any) and you just have to pay the difference out of pocket. The insurance company will cut them a check for the original replacement part.

I did this with my front bumper - I need new grills and I had them buy the "black" M-performance grills instead. I just paid the difference.

[cfm56d7b]

Is your car leased or purchased? Upon return, leased vehicles will be thoroughly inspected and you may be asked to pay for the cost of returning the vehicle to OEM condition.

If you own the vehicle, it's your decision of course. Almost every insurance company that I know will send a representative to the body shop to inspect the final work product. Using a different bumper will raise eye brows.

[hollandog]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Is your car leased or purchased? Upon return, leased vehicles will be thoroughly inspected and you may be asked to pay for the cost of returning the vehicle to OEM condition.

If you own the vehicle, it's your decision of course. Almost every insurance company that I know will send a representative to the body shop to inspect the final work product. Using a different bumper will raise eye brows.

Not sure how much of a car guy those inspectors are, they will notice sport bumper vs m sport bumper?

[AC792]

The car is not leased, but it is financed - also through State Farm.

I will take it to get a quote and see what they say.

[GarlicBread]

Originally Posted by dave405nyc

Just have the insurance company write out a check to your name, and use the money to pay whatever shop you go with, letting them know that you want the m-sport bumper.

This is 100% the correct answer

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by AC792

Is it really that easy? That sounds ideal!

Somebody backed into my wife's brand new X5 in a drivethrough (don't even ask me how they thought backing up in a bumper to bumper drivethrough was a thing).

We got an estimate from a shop, but my wife decided she could live with the tiny ding so we just requested a check from insurance. Around 2k IIRC.

We actually just worked through our insurance company and presumably they went after the other driver's insurance. I had gotten a witness at the time so there was no dispute over fault.

[my428i]

Originally Posted by AC792

The car is not leased, but it is financed - also through State Farm.

I will take it to get a quote and see what they say.

State Farm will write out a check to you.

[AC792]

Thanks for all the information guys. Does a comprehensive claim show up on a Carfax or Autocheck report? I don't want my car labeled as being in an accident for hitting a raccoon.

[mbfanos]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Somebody backed into my wife's brand new X5 in a drivethrough (don't even ask me how they thought backing up in a bumper to bumper drivethrough was a thing).

We got an estimate from a shop, but my wife decided she could live with the tiny ding so we just requested a check from insurance. Around 2k IIRC.

We actually just worked through our insurance company and presumably they went after the other driver's insurance. I had gotten a witness at the time so there was no dispute over fault.

Wait, if you get a check and not fix it, the insurance company does not do anything against you?
What happens when there is another ding?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by mbfanos

Wait, if you get a check and not fix it, the insurance company does not do anything against you?
What happens when there is another ding?

If there's another ding you have to prove that the damage they paid for was fixed before said ding occurred. They might even insist on having the car inspected before renewing the policy. Like the TV commercial says, they've seen this before.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by AC792

Hi guys, I hit a raccoon last night and it ended up putting a little crack in my bumper. I am thinking of filing a claim through insurance to get a new bumper. My comprehensive deductible is only $250, so it wouldn't be too bad.

Question for all of you though. I have a sportline F30 and if I'm going to get a new bumper, I'd like to do the M-Sport bumper. Anyone have any recommendations on how I could get the shop to replace with the M-Sport bumper? I know I can't just swap the OEM M-Sport bumper on but there are reps out there that fit on the sportline that I'd like to get if possible. I hear some insurance companies will only replace the exact part number that is on the car, but maybe you guys have some experience or insight to put forth. My insurance is State Farm for what it's worth.

Thanks!

From your description hard to tell how bad or exactly where the damage is, but are you sure they are going to replace the bumper in the repair to begin with?

As it is a 5 year old car, I can see where they might try to repair in other ways.

Also, I would search web for a calculator to tell you if it's worth filing insurance for - as it could potentially raise your rates for up to 5 years.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Bumper

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ghlight=Bumper

[lo_xyooj]

I would personally opt in for the M3 bumper and skip the Msport bumper, if allowed that would be a no brainer and pay the difference.

[Kabrich]

Originally Posted by lo_xyooj

I would personally opt in for the M3 bumper and skip the Msport bumper, if allowed that would be a no brainer and pay the difference.

Yeah and get the M3 badges to put on your car while you are at it.

[lo_xyooj]

LOL Yeah the badges is the most important part.

[ronanz]

Originally Posted by Kabrich

Yeah and get the M3 badges to put on your car while you are at it.

.....