[xtlwulf]

hey guys i need help
first of all i have no idea how insurance companies work and im freaking out.
i parked my car in a parking lot, but here in ny we had a bad snow storm. i'm assuming that some one backed up, slipped, and reared into my car. obviously the person did not leave any information so now i drive around with a crack in my front bumper.
now what i need help is, what do i do? i heard if i file a claim through my insurance company, they can replace the bumper, but my points will go up. what the hell is the point of that then? i'm just basically paying through a tab no?
i heard some where that if i file a report and receive a report from a police officer, i won't get points added to my insurance company? does that make sense? and some how the schmuck who hit my car managed to bent my side fender? i dont know if thats what you call it. dont ask me how.. all i know is my car was in perfect condition, until that one day.
im sorry for the long post, but im freaking out.
please some one give some advices!

[uhaulball]

damn snow..

[oneshare325]

I would take it to a body shop and see what they say, or post some pics, alot of people on here (not me ) could help you out with an estimate!

[shadowcoder]

What's your deductible? That's the first most important question before
going any further. Replacing the bumper assuming no other damage behind
it to the reinforcement bar, radiator support etc, is ~$1,100 (where is
the bumper cracked at?).

So if your deductible is $1,000 it's a no brainer - don't even contact your
insurance company. If your deductible is $500 AND you are willing to take
the old bumper off yourself and put the new one on too, then you'll be saving
~$300. If you can do that, it's still not worth contacting your insurance.
If you can't or your deductible is less than $500, then call your insurance
up and have them pay. Also if you decide to call your insurance and ask how
this works, do NOT give your name and do NOT give your policy number etc.
Reason being that even though you are calling to get some info regarding
how your premium is affected, they will be idiots and 8/10 times they will
file a claim for you. Best of luck.

[xtlwulf]

ok i am going to post up a pic first of what the bumper looks like now later today

[herbz]

if the dent isn't bad, its better off not to go through insurance because you'll end up paying more out of the monthly fee.

if the dent is huge then u might wanna go through insurance... just my opinion.

[DFW_M]

see ///Matt's post in the Pictures Forum -- that is your answer -- looks awesome on the e90
GL