[larrykalenda]

Do I try and fix this myself or insurance claim?

We have relatives visiting from Canada with no rental car, so my i3 was made available for them to use. Day one they crash into two concrete planters at a strip mall. The car was parked, put in Drive (thought it was reverse) and hit the pedal. The car went over the curb striking the right planter with the passenger side of the bumper cover and then struck the left planter and stopped. The car drives fine, everything except for a malfunction of the acoustic pedestrian protection.

It appears so far that the damage is between the fenders and under and in front of the frunk. There is also an "Acoustic Pedestrian Protection malfunction".

I have identified the visible parts (see red arrows) that need replacement. Do not know what else is behind them that need replacing. So what am I getting into? I am capable to a point with auto repair, just need to know when to say when. My first thought is to repair it myself and keep the episode away from insurance company and CarFax type of report. I have a $1K deductible and no previous claims. The parts that I see that need replacing cost just under $1K, two of them need to be painted which will cost $350. - $500. Is the repair fairly straightforward? Should I attempt this or bite the bullet and have insurance fix it?

[unfoundnemo]

If you're replacing or repairing the bumper... you'll need to get it painted, which I imagine isn't in your wheelhouse unless you're talking about getting a piece that happens to be the same color form a junkyard. Even then, the match would be iffy.

I would say take it to a body shop to get fixed. They typically don't report to CarFax if it's not going through insurance (but you could ask/confirm). I don't see a reason to replace that bumper, so you're likely looking at like 1500-2000 for them to repair/paint the bumper and replace a couple of other bits.

[larrykalenda]

Thanks unfoundnemo

I would definitely be using new parts and get a shop to paint the required pieces. I have a good understanding of the repairs to the outside, what I do not know is what may need to be done behind the bumper cover. The car hit the brick wall fairly hard...

[Coastali8]

Claim it on your insurance. That’s why you bought insurance. Fix it right with new parts and a proper paint repair.

[frosty72]

Get quotes for the body work and get quotes from salvage yards. Factor in and deductibles and premium increases. Go from there.