There is no flat price for collision repair. A scratched bumper cover on a ten-year-old sedan and the same scratch on a new crossover with a radar sensor behind it are different jobs. Costs run from a few hundred dollars for minor cosmetic work to several thousand for structural repair, and the first estimate is rarely the last number, because hidden damage is usually found after the panels come off. Get written estimates for your own car; the sections below explain what moves the number.
What pushes the cost of common repairs up
Labor rates, parts prices and the vehicle itself decide the bill, so the same type of repair can cost very different amounts on two cars. Your written estimates are the only numbers that count. These are the details that usually make a job bigger than it looks.
| Repair | What pushes it up |
|---|---|
| Small dent with paint intact (paintless dent repair) | Size, location on a body line or panel edge, aluminum panels |
| Light scratch or scuff on one panel | Depth through the clear coat, metallic or pearl paint, need to blend |
| Bumper cover repair and repaint | Cracks, mounting tabs, sensors behind the cover |
| Bumper replacement with sensors | Radar or camera calibration, OEM parts, paint |
| Door, fender or quarter panel replacement and paint | Parts price, aluminum construction, blending, interior trim |
| Structural or frame repair | Extent of the bend, measuring time, high-strength materials |
| Windshield replacement with camera calibration | Camera and heads-up display features, glass type |
A lower estimate is not necessarily better: it may simply leave out one of these items. The guide to choosing a shop lists the red flags in a cheap estimate.
What the lines on an estimate mean
- Repair hours. Labor to straighten or fix a damaged part, at the shop's hourly rate.
- Replace (R&R or R&I). Remove and replace, or remove and install, a part. Replaced parts have a part price plus labor; remove and install covers moving a part off and back on.
- Refinish hours. Labor to prepare and paint a panel. Blending an adjacent panel appears as a separate line.
- Paint and materials. A per-hour charge for paint, primer, sealers and consumables.
- Parts. Each line should identify OEM, aftermarket, used or remanufactured. Ohio requires specific disclosure for non-OEM aftermarket crash parts; see OEM vs. aftermarket parts.
- Sublet. Work done by another business, such as alignments, glass, or sensor calibration.
- Tax and fees. Sales tax and any shop fees, such as hazardous-waste disposal or shop supplies. Ask what each fee covers before you sign.
Why the number changes after the first estimate
Estimates written from photos or an exterior walk-around are preliminary. Once the shop removes the bumper cover or fender, it often finds cracked absorbers, bent brackets, damaged wiring or a hidden structural bend. The shop then writes a supplement. If an insurer is paying, the supplement needs approval, which can add days. Ask the shop how it handles supplements and how it will tell you about them. Under Ohio's repair rule, Ohio Administrative Code 109:4-3-13, a shop must get your oral or written authorization before performing additional, unforeseen but necessary work that increases the price by 10 percent or more of the original estimate, not counting tax. The rule's other protections, such as itemized invoices and returned parts, are summarized in the guide to picking a shop.
Sensors, cameras and calibration
Many cars built in the last several years have forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping or blind-spot monitoring. The radar units and cameras behind bumper covers, grilles, mirrors and windshields can need recalibration after a repair, and manufacturers may specify procedures for specific repairs. That work shows up as a sublet or labor line and can add to the estimate. A repair that skips a required calibration may save a little money and leave the feature unreliable. If the estimate does not list calibration and your car has these features, ask the shop why not.
Deductible versus repair cost
If the repair is only a little above your deductible, the claim may not be worth filing. Check the collision deductible on your declarations page before you decide. A claim can affect premiums at renewal, depending on the insurer and who was at fault, so weigh that before filing for small damage. If another driver caused the damage, the equation changes: you may have no deductible to pay if you pursue that driver's insurer. See claiming against the at-fault driver's insurer for how that route compares with your own coverage.
Getting useful estimates
- Photograph the damage before you go, and get at least two or three written estimates when the repair is substantial.
- Ask each shop whether the number is a preliminary photo estimate or a full teardown estimate.
- Compare line by line, not by total. One estimate may include a calibration, a blend or a structural measurement that another leaves out.
- Ask what is included in the warranty.
- Keep the final invoice. It documents the repair for resale and for any claim for lost value.
When repair costs approach the car's value
For an older vehicle, a moderate repair can approach or exceed what the car was worth before the crash. At that point the insurer may declare a total loss. See totaled or repairable for how Ohio handles it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to repair a bumper?
It depends on whether the cover can be repaired or has to be replaced, on the paint, and on what sits behind it. A replacement that needs radar or camera calibration costs much more than a simple repair and repaint. Get written estimates for your vehicle.
Will my insurance company pay the full estimate?
If the claim is covered, the insurer pays the repair cost minus your deductible, subject to the policy. If it believes a lower estimate is adequate, it may dispute the difference. Ohio's claims rule requires it to pay the difference based on a higher estimate you obtain or name a shop that will do the work for the insurer's number.
Why is my final bill higher than the first estimate?
Hidden damage is often found when parts are removed. Ohio's repair rule requires the shop to get your authorization before unforeseen work that adds 10 percent or more of the original estimate.
Is paintless dent repair cheaper than a body shop repair?
For small dents with the paint intact and accessible metal, it often costs less and takes less time. Creased metal, damaged paint or aluminum panels may need conventional repair.
Should I file a claim for a small repair?
Compare the estimate with your deductible and think about how a claim may affect your premium. If another driver is at fault, a claim against that driver's insurer may avoid a deductible altogether.