small rear damage need some advice

[regdent]

some one hit my rear bumper right on the corner and broke my left tail light in a car park last night and didnt bother to leave me a note.

so i am unsure what to do. do i go through the insurance. or should i just buy a new tail light and try getting someone to bang the dent out.

or i was also wondering are there any other tail lights or rear bumpers out there i could put on while i am fixing it.

thanks for any advice.

 

[BOOSTR]

Thats why you have insurance. The question is how much is your collision deductible. If the amount of damage is less than your deductible, the insurance company will not pay you anything. Dent Wizards are very good at removing most dents. A body shop will be needed for a more serious dent. I would at least obtain an estimate from a body shop to repair the damage and replace the light.

The should not have to remove your bumper cover, unless its worse than you have indicated. The light is just held in place by a few bolts and sealant.

Good luck and I hope the rat bastard that did it to you suffers a slow, painful death for doing it!

 

[Foolish]

This wouldn't be under collision anyway. It's a comprehensive claim, so that's the deductible you need to worry about.

 

[sampson]

i had something like this happen to me about a month ago. i had one busted taillight and i had to get a section of the rear passenger quarterpanel repaired. it was damaged just in front of the taillight. after the damage was fixed, the whole quarter panel was repainted from taillight, over side windows, and to end of panel (above side mirror). i bought a set of used protege taillights from a guy on ebay for 30 shipped.
it is probably not worth your time to claim this on your insurance, just bite the bullet and pay for it all yourself.

hope this helps!!

 

[regdent]

thanks for all your help i will have to fix it myself

 

[sampson]

let me know the extent of the repair!!!

 

[regdent]

let me know the extent of the repair!!!

ok so i went to a local body shop, looks a good shop very professional. i told him i would probably pay for it and dont worry about the light i will do that myself. he quoted me $800 i think they may even change the rear bumper cause he said it had slight cracking and that would show through in time if they poped it out and painted it.

i have $500 deductible and only 6 months previous insurance. i am not used to the american insurance system, do i pay the first $500?? not sure what to do. thanks for any help

 

[Speedplease]

Yes if you go through ins. you have to pay that $500 dollars then ins will cover the rest. but if its only $800 pay the extra 300 yourself and save yourself the trouble of your ins going up next year.

 

[mspdfreak]

Yes, pay it all yourself. The cost of your insurance going up will surpass the $800.

 

[regdent]

i looked on ebay for the left tail light it was for a 03 protege but said not mazdaspeed.

are they different do i have to find special mazdaspeed tail lights??


if so apart from ebay(i couldnt find any) where else should i look?

thanks again for your help

 

[Dexter]

all the tail lights are the same for the 3rd gen protege. (fitment wise)

 

[regdent]

all the tail lights are the same for the 3rd gen protege. (fitment wise)

ok thanks that what i wanted to hear

 

[mspdfreak]

The rose-color is MSP specific.