Coconut

I need to replace my rear bumper. My insurance (SAFECO) is not a well known company and is on the cheap side so they may not accept the quote to do it at a good bodyshop (Lexus certified, OEM parts), I have a $500 deductible. Should I do it myself or go through insurance?

MYSELF:
~$800 ($350 OEM bumper shipped from Sewell, $400 painted, install myself)
PROS: no insurance premium
CONS: cant really think of any...

INSURANCE:
~$1000
PROS: will only be $500 out of my pocket for now
CONS: insurance premium, insurance company my choose to use non OEM parts and a crappier bodyshop

radicalrev

iTrader: (2)

hey im on mercury too...i believe u can go to any bodyshop...the bodyshop they ask u to go is the recommended as if anything happens to the bumper, their bodyshop will take care of it...if u go to ur own bodyshop...if something happens, the insurance will not pay or cover.......

Coconut

oops, actually my insurance is SAFECO, not mercury. Its even more obscure than Mercury....

Most likely, the Lexus Bodyshop (onsite) will not be on SAFECO's recommended bodyshop and they won't be willing to pay the premium quote right?

radicalrev

iTrader: (2)

Ehm, im not sure for safeco..but for mercury is that they wont pay for any breakdown such as paint mismatch, engine problems or something like that happens if you choose your own bodyshop...