how much does it cost to fix a bumper that is falling off

Expect to pay between $500 to $1,500 to repair a front bumper at a body shop. For more extensive repairs, your cost may be up to $5,000. Depending on your insurance coverage and whether or not you caused the accident, insurance may cover that cost. But an insurance-covered body shop repair isn't your only option for fixing your front bumper. A DIY front bumper replacement can be a more affordable solution. Additionally, depending on your vehicle's make and model popularity, such as whether you have a Chevrolet or Toyota, the front bumper replacement cost will vary.

Can a Plastic Front Bumper be Repaired?

Your vehicle's bumpers serve a particular purpose: to protect more critical parts of your car from damage. Bumpers absorb much of the impact and damage in low-speed accidents while the rest of your vehicle remains untouched. They're built to be broken, so you don't have to make major body repairs. But that often means that bumpers suffer severe damage, even in minor accidents.

Is it Cheaper to Repair or Replace a Bumper?

Often, bumper covers are replaced instead of repaired. Even low-speed impacts can cause serious damage that costs more to fix than a bumper replacement.

Most modern bumpers are made up of structural support, plastic filler, shock-absorbing foam, and a plastic cover. If you do not have much damage, you may only need to address paint damage or replace the damaged area: the cover and possibly the foam underneath. In more serious collisions, the underlying structure may need work as well.

Most repair shops use specialized tools to salvage a damaged bumper. If you're planning to DIY, it's generally much easier and cheaper to replace a damaged bumper than repair it.

Bumper diagram with rear components

How Much Will it Cost to Repair a Front Bumper?

Front bumper replacements involve removing the old bumper, inspecting for underlying damage, and replacing it with new parts. Typically, this involves the cost of the parts, labor, and painting at the body shop.

Depending on your make, model, and the severity of your collision, your cost to replace a front bumper at an auto body shop can be between $500 to $1,500 for basic plastic bumper replacement. Expect to pay up to $5,000 or more for repairs and replacements that require extensive work. Another option is to forgo the body shop by buying a painted car part .

Does Insurance Cover Bumper Damage?

If your front bumper needs replacement, it's likely due to an accident, whether you're at fault or another party. Should you use your auto insurance ? It depends on your situation, as well as the estimated cost of repair.

If you're not at fault for the accident, don't hesitate to claim the repair on the other party's insurance. Typically, insurance will pay your repairs in full with no cost or other drawbacks for you. Many insurance companies also offer a guarantee on repairs. However, a front bumper is rarely damaged due to no fault of the driver in that vehicle (rear bumpers, of course, are another story).

If you're at fault, consider whether you'd like to use your insurance to pay for the bumper repair cost. You may not have a choice: if you don't carry collision insurance, you'll pay for repairs you've caused without any help from the insurance company. Even if you do have collision coverage, filing a claim may cause your insurance rates to increase in the future.

Many vehicle owners find that front bumper repair costs are about the same as their deductible and choose not to claim the repair on insurance. If you're simply replacing the front bumper and possibly the foam behind it, it's probably best just to pay out of pocket. However, if you're facing significant repairs, including structural or mechanical damage, it may make sense to get help from your insurance company.

2008 Honda Accord damaged bumper exposing components underneath

Is it Just Front Bumper Damage?

When your front bumper is damaged, other parts of your vehicle may sustain damage as well. Damage can be due to the angle of the collision or as a ripple effect during the impact. If you're replacing your front bumper, look at your headlights, grill, and other front-end parts that are easily damaged.

Some vehicles may cost more to repair. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that the bumpers on several car models do not adequately protect vehicle headlights and other equipment from damage in collisions. Additional equipment damaged can include radar sensors and turbochargers. Vehicles in front-end collisions may ultimately sustain more extensive (and expensive) damages than just the bumper.

More serious accidents could cause underlying structural damage. If you need to repair or replace the structure underneath your bumper cover and foam, your repair will be significantly more expensive. Damage to vehicle mechanics, including the radiator, suspension, and engine, is difficult and expensive to repair.

Can You Fix Your Own Front Bumper?

If you're comfortable with basic auto repair, a front bumper replacement is probably a project you can take on yourself, provided there is no extensive damage. If you're just putting in a new bumper, it's not much more complicated than replacing a headlight or changing your oil. Plus, you can save hundreds on labor.

2015 Ford Explorer damaged bumper support/rebar under the bumper cover

Check out the ReveMoto YouTube page for model-specific bumper installation tutorial videos. The tools needed are a ratchet or wrench, a panel clip pliers, and a screwdriver. These are common household tools except for the panel clip pliers, but a flat-head screwdriver is a great substitute for the pliers.

Whether you choose an insurance body shop replacement or a self-funded DIY venture, be sure to take care of your front bumper replacement as soon as you can. A broken front bumper can come loose and cause further damage. If you're unlucky enough to have another collision while it's broken, your bumper may not adequately protect you in the second accident.