What to do about a defective replacement bumper?

[OceanAnnie]

I was rear ended this past Nov.. The person's insurance covered the expenses. Among other things, the bumper was replaced. I thought it was all behind us.

I walked past the back of the vehicle this morning and I noticed the bumper is covered in little bubbles under the paint. Not good. It won't take long until it will be a peeling mess. I think it's from using an inferior bumper replacement.

I suspect the body shop and insurance company has long washed their hands of us and won't entertain the idea that it was a defective bumper they chose. I can see where they could possibly say it is because of any number of things other than what I think it is. Ugh.

What can I do about it? What would you do?

 

[John VN]

I was rear ended this past Nov.. The person's insurance covered the expenses. Among other things, the bumper was replaced. I thought it was all behind us.

I walked past the back of the vehicle this morning and I noticed the bumper is covered in little bubbles under the paint. Not good. It won't take long until it will be a peeling mess. I think it's from using an inferior bumper replacement.

I suspect the body shop and insurance company has long washed their hands of us and won't entertain the idea that it was a defective bumper they chose. I can see where they could possibly say it is because of any number of things other than what I think it is. Ugh.

What can I do about it? What would you do?

When DW's car was repaired the body shop had a lifetime warranty.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Oh that would be so nice. I have to hunt up our papers on the repairs. They were pretty good about most everything.
Thanks! I'll let you know what I find.

 

[Christine]

When DW's car was repaired the body shop had a lifetime warranty.

Same here.

I was rear ended and had to get a new bumper too--at the other person's insurance expense. After the repair was done, the body shop told me that the repair was guaranteed for life against defects.

So I would go back to the shop.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I am going back to the shop. I just wanted to get my ducks in a row first. I may let my DH take it back or at least meet me there.

I found our papers. Lifetime warranty and "limited lifetime warranty" on certain parts.

I don't think I can swing by there till later this week. I hope this goes well.

 

[dakcp2001]

I was rear ended this past Nov.. The person's insurance covered the expenses. Among other things, the bumper was replaced. I thought it was all behind us.

I walked past the back of the vehicle this morning and I noticed the bumper is covered in little bubbles under the paint. Not good. It won't take long until it will be a peeling mess. I think it's from using an inferior bumper replacement.

I suspect the body shop and insurance company has long washed their hands of us and won't entertain the idea that it was a defective bumper they chose. I can see where they could possibly say it is because of any number of things other than what I think it is. Ugh.

What can I do about it? What would you do?

Often times insurance companies replace with non factory replacement parts or knock offs, they are cheaper. You really have to fight with them to get your car fixed with the proper factory parts. Whatever bumper was on my car that got smashed, I want that same quality part put back on. I would call your insurance company and have them fight with the other company. You prob also lost resale value on the car when you got hit, and they gave you crappy fake parts to fix your car.

 

[dawson5]

When DW's car was repaired the body shop had a lifetime warranty.

Hubby is a fixed operations director for a dealership, their body shop has a lifetime warranty. The bubbling should not be happening.

Often times insurance companies replace with non factory replacement parts or knock offs, they are cheaper. You really have to fight with them to get your car fixed with the proper factory parts. Whatever bumper was on my car that got smashed, I want that same quality part put back on. I would call your insurance company and have them fight with the other company. You prob also lost resale value on the car when you got hit, and they gave you crappy fake parts to fix your car.

This was years ago. State Farm lost a huge lawsuit because of this:

http://abolweb.com/industry/documents/statefarm.cfm

Personally, I would think they didn't cure the paint or prepare the bumper properly. It should be covered and be redone. If they give you problems, take it up with your insurance agent. Some of these are "preferred" shops. If it is one, going to your agent might make a world of difference.

 

[DVC-Don]

..............
Personally, I would think they didn't cure the paint or prepare the bumper properly. It should be covered and be redone. If they give you problems, take it up with your insurance agent. Some of these are "preferred" shops. If it is one, going to your agent might make a world of difference.

Reputable shows will have a warrenty that covers this. Sounds to me like they did not prepare the bumper properly before painting it.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I think you guys are right about it not being cured properly. My DH hasn't even seen it yet. We need to look at it together and take it over to the shop.

I think it should be covered. We'll see how the conversation goes with the shop. Like I said, they have been pretty good about working with us. But once you are considered "done" that might be another story. Trying to brace myself for anything.

 

[tomthebarncat]

Was this repair done by a dealer? I drive a Mercedes Benz and I assure you if any one hit me, the work would be done by my dealer and only using MB parts. We actually ran into this very scenario involving my DH BMW, we were rear ended and the person who hit us, did not want to pay the dealer prices. I sued them and their insurance company and won, and then sold the car, as we hated it after all that crap happened. Once again, glad I do not live in the states where mandatory insurance is not required, this alone would make me afraid to drive!

 

[mickey&minnie04]

I work for a car dealer which also has its own Bodyshop....I think no matter what the work should have some kind of guarantee either by the ins. co. or the shop itself or both. What kind of car do you have? The bumper may not have been prepped correctly or it could be a defective bumper from the manufacture. Depending on the model of the car it may have come in already painted so go in with a level head ...it may not be the bodyshops fault. If they ordered the part from a dealer and it came prepainted then it's not their fault and you'll want to be nice as could be so that they will help you!

 

[daughtersrus]

Once again, glad I do not live in the states where mandatory insurance is not required, this alone would make me afraid to drive!

We have mandatory insurance in IL. I thought that other states do as well but maybe I'm wrong.

 

[dawson5]

We have mandatory insurance in IL. I thought that other states do as well but maybe I'm wrong.

I wondered about that also, but was wondering if they meant other countries.

I also was under the impression that it was nationwide, we were all required to have insurance. Not that everyone does, but eventually they do try to get them off the street or make it harder to get registration and plates without it.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I work for a car dealer which also has its own Bodyshop....I think no matter what the work should have some kind of guarantee either by the ins. co. or the shop itself or both. What kind of car do you have? The bumper may not have been prepped correctly or it could be a defective bumper from the manufacture. Depending on the model of the car it may have come in already painted so go in with a level head ...it may not be the bodyshops fault. If they ordered the part from a dealer and it came prepainted then it's not their fault and you'll want to be nice as could be so that they will help you!

I will. Just bracing for whatever may be.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I wondered about that also, but was wondering if they meant other countries.

I also was under the impression that it was nationwide, we were all required to have insurance. Not that everyone does, but eventually they do try to get them off the street or make it harder to get registration and plates without it.

I think maybe in Mississippi you don't. Not entirely sure.

ETA: My apologies to Mississippians!

A quick google says that:

South Carolina
Virginia
Wisconsin
New Hampshire

do not require car insurance.

 

[tvguy]

We have mandatory insurance in IL. I thought that other states do as well but maybe I'm wrong.

California has a mandatory insurance law, and according to the state, 53% of all drivers are on the road with no insurance........and many of them with no driver's license.
How many TV stations over the years have staked out traffic court, followed someone out who just had their license suspended, and showed them getting into their car alone and driving off?

 

[tvguy]

Was this repair done by a dealer? I drive a Mercedes Benz and I assure you if any one hit me, the work would be done by my dealer and only using MB parts. We actually ran into this very scenario involving my DH BMW, we were rear ended and the person who hit us, did not want to pay the dealer prices. I sued them and their insurance company and won, and then sold the car, as we hated it after all that crap happened. Once again, glad I do not live in the states where mandatory insurance is not required, this alone would make me afraid to drive!

Actually, going to a dealer that sells your brand of car is no guarrantee they use OEM parts. And one of the high end independent body shops here advertises it uses only the best parts, pointing out that sometimes the best parts are aftermarket parts...especially on some high end cars.

 

[dakcp2001]

New Hampshire does not require auto insurance, therefore all the states that border it have super high insurance costs.