pyroRWD

Hi all, I have a 2019 GS 350 F Sport RWD with 15k mi. Since there's bank loan on it and car is worth maybe 40K+, the insurance with a good record of 15+ years experience is around $200/mo right now.

Unfortunately got some scrape damage on it on the side today.

I think this won't need any parts but 1) the bumper is down to the plastic, 2) the fender is down to the metal in one spot (with a tiny dent on top at 12 o'clock) and, 3) the wheel is scraped.

My questions:

1. Should I use insurance? I have a $500 deductible, which is cheap, but if they raise my insurance let's say $100 a month, that's $1200 a year they will get back for at least the next 3 years ($3600 cost)
2. Or should I go out of pocket? How hard is this paint to mix (with the metallic flake etc) and do RIGHT on the cheap? Let's assume they will R&R and paint 2 pieces (the bumper and the fender) -- pull one tiny dent at the top of the fender -- and refinish one wheel.
   1. Can I get this done for less than $1500?
   2. How do I make sure they don't do a crappy repair with the black underlying base that will peel away etc? (I think with insurance it's a lifetime warranty if the body shop is in network)
3. If I'm going to claim it, should I immediately switch to a new carrier right before and prepay 12 months?
4. What is the best way to convey what happened?

Here's a pic. Thank you!!

LeX2K

Done right or done cheap, pick one. Bumper looks like it will need filler + paint/blend the fender maybe most of the transfer will come off with polishing can't tell for sure from the image. If not that's more painting/blending. Wheel repair I'm not familiar with how much that will cost.

I think $1500 should be enough to repair that problem is finding a shop that will do no insurance claim work, at least around here most don't bother since they get way more doing insurance stuff. Where abouts are you in California? Maybe someone here can recommend a shop.

BTW I'm an amateur at auto painting but I would be able to get a good blend where you couldn't tell so a shop should be able to do the same.

703

For a car that new, would just go for insurance. You'd get a new OEM bumper. A new bumper already has a coat of base coat so it sticks to the paint better. Often if you use the old bumper, over the years you'd notice the paint to start chipping because of the layers of paint.

909

For something that minor , I wouldn't get insurance involved.

A claim is a claim . You'll eventually pay in the long run.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Look at the lines of the Fender Gaps up near the window, and the door hood and else where. Are the lines the same on the drivers side as pass side? If not there is more going on underneath and just putting a new fender will not be 100% correct.

ItzFilyO

What did u hit? I would get a new bumper + fender + wheel but I'm beyond OCD that's why.

peasodos

iTrader: (1)

Repainting and blending all those panels will be the real problem for your OCD. It will never be 100% because of Lexus 3 stage paint job.

Minor body work and paint, bigger can of worms replacing the bumper and fender, wheel not a big deal to replace. If you replace there won’t be any old paint to blend the new paint into and then your talking about butt matching the fender with the door.

charley95

Done right and on the cheap doesn't work.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

I'm not 100% sure but if his car is Black. It's easy to match.

JeffKeryk

If you are located near Silicon Valley, call Alex at "The Great Auto Paint". He does all the exotics for the dealerships here. Prices are excellent and work is the best. He is a father and son shop, with other help as needed. Keeps overhead to a minimum. You won't be sorry. Thell him Jeff sent you. He can give you an idea from a pic. Good luck.

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Its a 2019 GS. Take it to a good Pro lux car body shop and get it fixed right through in Insurance. There is normally more going on with mounts and brackets underneath bent/damaged/cracked/broken, than you can see outside when the parts are removed to access the real entire damage.

GrandSedanFan

iTrader: (1)

It's Smoky Granite Mica - Metallic and Pearl. My 2018 is the same color and has a few bumper scrapes from the previous owner. I am holding off getting them filled and repainted because I know how difficult it is going to be to get right and the few shops I trust to get it right charge top dollar.