Does auto insurance cover bumper damage?

Bumpers are often the first thing that gets damaged in a car accident. If you damaged your bumper by colliding with another car or hitting an object, you might be wondering if your insurance will cover the bumper damage.

The answer depends on the coverage type you have. Even if your policy includes the bumper, it might be better to cover the repair out of pocket. Read on to learn more about bumper damage and insurance claims.

If you want to buy car bumper damage insurance now, compare car bumper damage quotes to find the best car insurance rates for you. Enter your ZIP into our free rate tool above to find coverage that includes your bumper.

When does insurance cover bumper damage?

If your coverage includes comprehensive car insurance and collision coverage, your insurance company will usually reimburse the cost of repairing and repainting your bumper. However, a state minimum policy doesn’t include these coverage types — basic liability coverage will not cover your bumper repair cost.

Full coverage insurance rates are generally higher, but the difference is not as substantial as you might think. With full coverage averaging $345 a month, it’s only around $36 per month more than basic coverage. Full coverage also ensures you’re protected from any damages, whether the accident was your fault or not. 

In most cases, bumper damage results from a collision, so you could get by with only collision insurance for about $25 per month extra. However, having only collision insurance won’t cover bumper damage if it results from hitting an animal, vandalism, or storms.

Let’s look at the average annual auto insurance rates for different types of coverage. Low or liability-only coverage will not cover your bumper, but high or full coverage will.

Auto Insurance Average Monthly Rates By Coverage Type

Full or high coverage averages $345 a month, only around $30 more than low coverage. Most experts agree that it’s worth the extra every month to make sure your car is covered from all damages, including bumper damage.

Should I file an insurance claim for bumper damage?

Even though car insurance is there to help cover vehicle damages, sometimes it’s not the best idea to file an insurance claim for bumper damage. Every claim you file can increase your rate, so saving a little bit today could cost you considerably more in the future.

Whether to file a bumper damage insurance claim comes down to two factors: How extensive is the damage, and how high is your deductible?

When To Consider Filing a Claim for a Car Bumper

There are a few situations when you’ll want to know how to file a claim to repair a car bumper:

• If another driver is involved and you’re not at fault. Always inform your insurance company of bumper damage, so the other driver’s policy covers repairs. If they’re uninsured or if it was a hit-and-run, you’ll need to file a claim with your insurance.
• If another driver is involved and you’re at fault. You’ll need to file a claim to cover the other driver’s repairs and possible medical bills under your liability insurance.
• If anyone gets injured in the collision. Regardless of fault, you should always inform your insurance company if there were any injured parties to avoid potential legal issues down the line.
• If your deductible is low. In this case, it might be worth filing a claim for small repairs.
• If the repair cost is high. Don’t hesitate to file a claim if you need help paying for the repair.

On the other hand, there are a few situations where filing a bumper damage insurance claim can cause more issues than benefits. For example, if the damage is minor and the repair cost is lower than your deductible, filing a claim doesn’t make sense.

You could also decide to cover the repairs yourself if you’ve had a claim in the past three years since an additional claim could put you in the high-risk driver category and significantly increase your rates.

How much does it cost to fix a bumper?

The cost of car bumper repair depends on the car type, model year, bumper material, paint repairs, and damage severity. Sometimes it might be cheaper to replace the bumper altogether than repair it, especially on an older car model.

On average, replacing a bumper can cost $1,000 or more, according to Consumer Reports. This cost can go up if the repair includes new headlights, fixing the car frame, or repairing other vehicle components. If you have the right coverage, your insurance should cover the full cost of the damage minus your deductible if your car isn’t totaled.

You can reduce the cost by using aftermarket parts instead of the original equipment manufacturer parts, but this might reduce the vehicle’s resale value. Also, ensure you’re not compromising on quality because it can cost you more in the long run.

The Bottom Line: Auto Insurance Coverage for Bumper Damage

It’s common to wonder if you should file an insurance claim for dumper damage, considering how often bumpers get scratched, hit, or dented. If you have a full coverage policy, it should cover bumper damage, but it doesn’t make sense to file a claim if your deductible is higher than the repair costs.

If you want peace of mind knowing your car has coverage for every possible scenario, shop for a full coverage auto policy that covers bumper damage.

Start comparing quotes to make sure every part of your car is covered, including your bumpers. Enter your ZIP now to find the best bumper-to-bumper car insurance coverage.