So last Monday I was sitting in front of a small bridge stopped for construction after a hurricane like storm teared some rail guards off the bridge. There was a few cars in front of me before the flagger. Suddenly I heard a loud noise from behind and looked in my rear view mirror and saw a Dodge Dakota bouncing around and moving forward and a Ford Ranger in front of it bouncing a little less and it slammed into my 4Runner.

So I am a little pissed thinking the dodge wasn't paying attention and I got out and walked out a little sideways from my car when I saw a 2007 Mazda 3 partly under the back end of the dodge completely destroyed. Some stupid Hispanic chick that couldn't speak English had slammed into the back of the dodge forcing it into the ranger and the ranger into me.

Anyways, after figuring out all of the insurance information I just got a quote for a replacement of the straight part of the bumper, of the mounting brackets, and the black plastic bumper step for $676.72



So I am considering doing the work myself. Only problem is that if I do and there turns out to be more damage then I can't get the insurance company to pay for the rest, they will only give me what the shop initially quoted.

So what do you guys think I should do? I will try to get some pics later so that you can see what the damage appears to be.

I am really annoyed because the shopped didn't add into the quote to replace the two side pieces of the bumper because they weren't impacted. I think they need to be because they are probably warped from the rest of the bumper getting pushed down.

Maybe ARB? HMMM

 

ARB's are nice, i have a marlin, and i love it and my marlin only cost me 310 shipped, well worth it in my opinion but yes do get pictures

 

I say let the shop do the work. You don't want to end up having to spend more out of pocket if there is a problem and the shop may have missed more structural damage that could end up costing a lot of green.
Take the safe route. I would maybe bring up your concern about the bumper ends but still let them do it.

 

always always have the insurance company pay for it if you can. You pay thousands of dollars to them, why not get a little return on your investment? And even if you have a deductable, you will be paying for the parts anyways, so just have them do it. That way, when they find more damage (believe me they will) you wont have to pay for it.