Should You Bother Fixing Fender Bender Damage? (2024)

If you’re the unfortunate victim of a fender bender, you may be considering leaving your dents unrepaired. After all, what kind of issues can a dented bumper or fender possibly cause? At Minnetonka Collision, we know many vehicle owners believe fender bender repairs are wholly unnecessary. Unfortunately, though, even minor damage that goes unrepaired can snowball into larger issues down the road. So if you’re thinking about leaving that dent in your bumper, think again. Here are the top reasons you should always take your car to a qualified auto body repair shop after a fender bender.

Concealed Internal Damage

Fender benders may seem like nothing to worry about, but they can actually cause serious internal damage you cannot see. Even a minor collision can weaken the structural integrity of your vehicle, putting you at risk every time you get behind the wheel. What types of dangerous internal damage can result from a fender bender?

● Frame damage

● Electrical system failure

● Suspension damage

● Transmission damage

Because the potential for internal damage is often high, it is imperative that you have your vehicle examined by a qualified auto body repair shop. Trained and experienced technicians will evaluate the extent of the damage and alert you to any potential hazards. Plus, repairing a fender bender is quick, easy, and convenient, so you won’t be without your vehicle for days on end.

Vehicle Resale Value

Do you think you may want to sell your vehicle or use it as a future trade-in? If so, you should always maintain its exterior in top form. Letting fender bender damage go unrepaired reduces the value of your vehicle, and it may even contribute to wear-and-tear that further reduces your potential resale price.

Future Insurance Issues

Let’s say you don’t have that fender bender damage repaired – what happens if you suffer another collision? While you may have thought it unnecessary to repair minor damage from the original collision, that damage can create quite an issue with a future insurance claim. In a fender bender, it can be difficult to assess the extent of the damage, and for all you know, your vehicle might have weakened structural components.

When your insurance adjuster assesses damage from any future collisions, he or she may immediately notice the existing damage from your previous fender bender. If compromised structural components contributed to more extensive damage in your most recent collision, your insurance adjuster might have the right to deny your claim.

Preventing Future Wear-And-Tear

A flawless vehicle appearance may not be important to everyone, but keeping your vehicle exterior well-maintained can prevent wear-and-tear. If you choose to let that bumper damage go unrepaired, cracks and creases in the metal can lead to corrosion and rust. And once the corrosion process starts, it’s difficult to curtail the damage. Rust can quickly overtake the metal components of your vehicle, especially when precipitation levels are high and salt is present on snowy winter roads. The last thing you want is to find out the undercarriage of your vehicle has developed rust because you neglected a quick bumper repair.

Expert Auto Body Repair in the Twin Cities

At Minnetonka Collision, we’ve been serving vehicle owners throughout the Twin Cities metro for over 30 years. We know an issue when we see it, which is why you should bring your vehicle to our ASE-certified technicians after a minor collision. Whether you need fender repair, bumper repair, or your vehicle suffered more serious internal damage, we’ll take care of you. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 763-230-7805, or feel free to message us on our contact page.

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Should You Bother Fixing Fender Bender Damage? (2024)

FAQs

Should You Bother Fixing Fender Bender Damage? ›

Letting fender bender damage go unrepaired reduces the value of your vehicle, and it may even contribute to wear-and-tear that further reduces your potential resale price.

Is it worth calling insurance for fender bender? ›

Not reporting a minor fender bender to your insurance company could violate the terms of your policy, potentially leading to a denial of coverage for the incident. It's important to understand your insurance policy's requirements and to report any accident, no matter how minor, to ensure that you are covered.

Should you report that fender bender? ›

First, check to see if you or anyone else involved in the accident has any injuries. Call 911 if someone needs medical attention. If no one is injured, you can call the local police to report the accident. The police may send out an officer, or direct you to the station to file a report.

What are 3 things to keep in mind if you get into a fender bender accident? ›

Take photos of any vehicle damages, injuries, and the road where the injury occurred. Take detailed notes of how the fender bender occurred, when, and where. Get testimony and contact information from witnesses and authorities. This evidence will help if you decide to file an insurance claim.

What determines whether or not a wreck is considered a fender bender? ›

A fender bender is a low-speed car accident that doesn't result in serious injuries; the vehicle damage is minimal, and your car is still in driveable shape. Examples of fender benders include: Getting hit when you're backing your car out of a spot in a parking lot.

Should I always call insurance after an accident? ›

Every insurance company has different rules, and you may have a few days to a few months to file your claim. However, it is always best to file a car insurance claim as soon as possible after an accident. The sooner you file your claim, the better your chances of securing total compensation for your losses.

Should you report a scratch on a car? ›

Deeper scratches that can result from another car hitting your vehicle or from purposeful vandalism can leave your car in worse shape and may require repairs. Should you notice your car has been scratched, you should file a police report especially if: Another vehicle was involved in the cause of the scratches.

What advice can Jamal give Stephanie to make sure that her claim gets approved? ›

Explain why each of these aspects are important to the auto insurance claim process. The advice that Jamal can give Stephanie to make sure that her claim gets approved is that she should report everything that happened .

Why do they call it a fender bender? ›

Fender benders are named after the car's fenders, or the protective outer panels that cover a car's wheels and frame. In a collision at low speeds with minor impact, a fender is often the only part of the vehicle that sustains damage, including dents. Hence, the term “fender bender” was born.

What is the fender bender law in NC? ›

Q: What Is the North Carolina Fender Bender Law? A: If you are involved in a minor car accident that does not result in any injuries and only causes vehicle damage, state law requires you and the other driver to move your vehicles to the side of the road out of the path of nearby traffic.

Do fender benders show up on Carfax? ›

Do fender benders show up on Carfax? The Carfax Vehicle History Report will not include the record of a minor accident like a fender-bender if there is no official documentation. However, there is a bigger concern if the accident was not just a fender-bender but caused significant damage to the vehicle.

What 4 things should you immediately do if you are involved in a collision? ›

Car Accident Checklist
  • Stop immediately, but do not block traffic. ...
  • Warn oncoming automobiles of any traffic hazards. ...
  • Assist anyone who may be injured. ...
  • Telephone the police and cooperate fully with the investigating officers.

How do you mentally process a car accident? ›

How To Mentally Recover from a Car Accident?
  1. Handling the Initial Shock.
  2. Professional Therapist and/or Psychiatrist Help.
  3. Self-Care Practices.
  4. Coping Strategies: Managing Anxiety and Stress.
  5. Mindfulness and Meditation.
  6. The Role of Social Support.
  7. Grieving and Acceptance.
  8. Building Resilience.
Oct 31, 2023

Can a minor fender bender cause whiplash? ›

According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash describes a neck injury caused by rapid and forceful back-and-forth neck movement where there is hyperflexion and hyperextension. The soft tissue around the cervical spine is affected. Most often, these injuries happen in rear-end collisions and minor fender benders.

What is the difference between a fender bender and a serious accident? ›

Fender benders typically involve minor damage to a vehicle, like scratches or dents, and rarely result in serious injuries. Serious accidents, on the other hand, often involve significant damage to vehicles and can potentially lead to severe injuries.

What is an example of a fender bender? ›

An example of a fender bender would be a driver stopping suddenly at an intersection, causing the driver behind him to rear-end his vehicle. Another example may be a driver backing out of a parking space without fully checking behind his vehicle, causing a collision with a vehicle behind him.

How do I know if my collision insurance is worth it? ›

You may not need collision insurance if:
  1. Your car is older and not worth much. An older vehicle won't yield much payout, even if it's totaled. ...
  2. You can afford to repair or replace the car without an insurance payout.
Aug 16, 2023

What happens if I'm at fault in a car accident in California? ›

At-Fault. Most states, including California, operate on an at-fault insurance system. In simple terms, this means the at-fault party can be directly sued for causing the accident. It also means you can file a claim against the at-fault driver's insurance policy rather than going through your own coverage.

What is considered frame damage on a car? ›

The frame is the backbone of your car. It's the structural foundation that holds everything together and provides stability and support for the body, engine, and other components. Frame damage occurs when there is an impact that bends, twists, or otherwise damages the frame's structural integrity.

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