What are the criteria for determining the replacement of a bumper?
2 Answers
Insurance bumper replacement criteria are based on whether the bumper's critical position is dented or cracked, or if the crack length exceeds 20 centimeters. Specific details are as follows: Do not repair before claiming: Some vehicle owners may proceed directly with repairs after an accident and then request compensation from the insurance company based on the actual repair costs. This can easily lead to disputes over the repair items and amounts, resulting in the insured having to bear part of the repair costs. It is advisable for the policyholder to confirm the repair method in advance to avoid unnecessary disputes and financial losses. Important considerations: If the damage to the bumper does not meet the replacement criteria, it is recommended not to replace it but to repair it for continued use. Replacing a bumper that does not meet the replacement criteria may result in color discrepancies or inferior quality, which could compromise its ability to effectively absorb and mitigate impact forces during a collision.
Last time my car got rear-ended, the bumper was replaced with a new one. The claims adjuster spent a full twenty minutes meticulously inspecting it with a flashlight, focusing on three key areas: the size of the damage, the degree of deformation, and functional impact. He said if the crack exceeds 15 centimeters or there’s a fist-sized hole, it’s easier to just replace it outright. Deformation is especially critical—you can tell by pressing it with your hand. If the bumper is severely misaligned to the point where the headlights can’t properly illuminate the road, repairing it would be pointless. Nowadays, new car bumpers come with radar sensor mounting points, so if the impact happens right where the sensors are installed, even minor damage warrants a replacement. One easily overlooked detail is the age of the plastic material. For cars older than five years, more severe cracks are prone to reopening after repairs, making replacement the more cost-effective option. Finally, the adjuster taught me to check the repair estimate: if the combined cost of materials and labor exceeds 70% of a new bumper’s price, the insurance company will definitely opt for a replacement.
