bumper damage

Your car bumpers take a lot of abuse, from unexpected hazards like runaway parking lot grocery carts, flying chunks of road debris, and minor fender benders.  As a result, many drivers tend to ignore superficial damage to their vehicle’s bumper, and put off repairs to save some money and time. But is that a smart move when it comes to your safety in the long run?   For starters, having a bumper with cracks, scratches or dents just doesn’t look good after you get your car washed. In addition, there are several other reasons why you should promptly get your bumper fixed, even when it’s only sustained minor damage.  What follows are some of the more important ones.

SAFETY

Auto bumpers are made to absorb the force of an impact sustained during either a front or rear-end collision while protecting the engine compartment, trunk, and most importantly, the occupants.  Even superficial damage can weaken the structural integrity of your bumper, notably its internal accident protection components like:

  • Bumper absorbers.  These are usually made of Styrofoam or durable plastic and are located between the bumper cover and metal bumper itself.  Upon impact, the absorbers take the force and direct it outwards in all directions.
  • Bumper bar.  Also called a “bumper reinforcement”, a bumper bar strengthens the bumper’s entire structure.  They are typically made of durable metal and painted to match the bumper cover’s color.

If either of these parts are weakened by a minor fender bender, when a subsequent collision occurs, especially a high-impact one, they could fail to protect the vehicle, driver, and passengers as designed.  Not only does this pose a serious injury risk to the occupants, but it could mean more extensive, and costly, damage to your vehicle.

INSURANCE CLAIMS    

Let’s say that you decided not to have that minor front bumper damage repaired to save a

few bucks, and the absorbers and/or bumper bar were weakened without your knowledge.  Later, you’re involved in another front-end accident, resulting in serious damage to the engine compartment.  An insurance adjuster could potentially inspect the vehicle and notice the old bumper damage. They may then determine that the previous damage structurally compromised the bumper’s integrity, allowing the force of the most recent crash to cause more-extensive and “unnecessary” repairs.  In a worst-case scenario, your insurer has the right to decline your claim altogether, and then you’ll be forced to pay out-of-pocket for all the repairs.

Has your car been in a collision or minor fender bender? If your vehicle has received body, frame or paint damage, call Texas Body Works at (972) 250-6722 and see how we can help! Contact us now to for a FREE ESTIMATE!