Any car driver knows that a car accident is not fun. The result of an accident, whether it be a collision with another car or an object, will result in serious damage and high repair or replacement costs. If you have a dented bumper, scratched paint, or broken tail light from a crash, you need to look into the rear-end collision repair cost. You may be surprised to find that the total rear-end collision repair cost is between $50 and $1,500, depending on the extent of the damage.
Let’s look at common accident scenarios, your rear-end collision repair estimates for your specific car make and model, and the typical replacements needed for our car. By calcualting the average rear-end collision repair cost, you can ensure that you are paying the correct amount and not overpaying for a crucial fix to your car!
Five Common Accident Scenarios
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Dented Bumper
If you are slowly reversing out of a parking spot and get hit in the back of the car by another vehicle, this can result in a dented bumper, and a high rear-end collision repair cost. Bumper repair prices vary depending on the severity and location of the damage. If you have a luxury car and the dented bumper is across the entire back of the car, this will result in a higher rear-end collision repair cost than an older or used vehicle.
- Pricing to replace a bumper ranges from only a few hundred dollars on the low-end of the spectrum for an average car, while it can extend to thousands of dollars on a luxury or high-end sports performance car. If the damage is only minimal, you can reduce the rear-end collision repair cost by doing the steps yourself.
- Today, the average price of the dented bumper repair is between $350 and $450 for most vehicles on the market.
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Paint Scratches
Another common price you will have to pay for the rear-end collision repair cost is from deep paint scratches. Like most of these repairs, this fix’s total price depends on the scratches’ damage and location.
- If you have scratches on your rear bumper, the single enamel paint repair will run between $300 and $1,000, depending on your vehicle.
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Cracked Rear Windshield
Another occurrence that can happen from getting rear-ended by another car is a cracked rear windshield. Although less common, the sheer impact can cause the glass to crack on your car. In most cases, this should require a small deductible. However, if you are not insured, this repair can be hundreds.
- The car owner can easily repair a small crack or chip to save on the overall rear-end collision repair cost. Repairing one small crack will set you back around $110, while it will cost upwards of $400 on more expensive cars.
- Some owners can pay upwards of $1,000-$2,000 on the rear-end collision repair cost for their windshield for more extensive damage from a high-speed rear-end collision.
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Suspension Damage
- Costs can vary spending on the damage of your car and the make and model of your vehicle. The suspension system is typically made up of various parts that all require different repairs and replacements.
- A full-suspension replacement when adding up the rear-end collision repair cost is around $5,000.
- You may also need to replace other parts that could be damaged in an accident or rear-end collision. Some of these fixes include repairing the strut and shock absorbers for between 4488 and $597, performing a wheel alignment for between $115 and $302, and replacing the ball joints for between $225 and $285.
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Rear-end Damage
When calculating your rear-end collision repair cost, the most common scenario is that you have suffered from rear-end damage from getting hit by another vehicle. According to the NHTSA safety board, nearly 2 million rear-end collisions in the US harm or kill drivers or passengers.
- When paying the rear-end collision repair cost, drivers can expect to pay upwards of $10,000 for a bumper that has been severely bent in a crash.
- In this case, if you get rear-ended, the accident is not your fault, and you can expect the other motorist to pay for the crash on their own.
What contributes to rear-end collision repair cost?
A rear-end collision repair process can be a very small procedure, very inexpensive, or extremely expensive, depending on the extent of the damage. One of the most important factors that go into figuring out how much you will have to spend on the rear-end collision repair cost will be the extent, location, and severity of the damage.
With more severe damage in your car, this will typically lead to higher repair costs. If severe damage is on a particular location on the rear of the vehicle, it could be cheaper to replace one component in the rear of your car when compared to replacing the entire bumper. In addition, if the damage was spread out across the vehicle, it could lead to a higher repair collision repair cost.
- If you want to reduce the total rear-end collision repair cost, try and find aftermarket parts that you can use on your vehicle. These used parts are cheaper than buying new pieces for your car.
- If you have some car knowledge, you can use your vehicle DIY Skills to save a good amount of money on the overall rear-end collision repair cost by doing some labor yourself. By following the correct steps, you can ensure that your car’s damage is mostly fixed before taking the vehicle to a mechanic.
Why repair a rear bumper?
If you calculate the total rear-end collision repair cost and wonder if it is worth it to repair the rear bumper, the short answer is YES. Laws in various states and countries dictate that it is illegal to drive without a front or rear bumper since this can be very dangerous in the event of another accident.
While there is no one specific monetary or driving penalty for operating a vehicle without a bumper, you could get a hefty fine that could severely increase the collision repair cost. Car bumpers are designed to protect the car occupants and other road users, so it is in everyone’s best interest to pay the rear-end collision repair cost and get a working bumper that will help you drive safely.
Complete Rear-End Collision Repair Guide
On average, you can expect to pay around $879 to fix your rear bumper and fix any other structural damage to the rear of your car. The majority of vehicles contain a bumper for safety and structural purposes, but unfortunately, this part often gets damaged in the event of a crash.
You can find the bumper will be repaired and patched up in just a few hours in many cases. However, in severe damage, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to get out of this fix with a low rear-end collision repair cost.
Bumper Replacement Cost Comparison
To give you an idea of how much you could spend on the rear-end collision repair, you need to know the price of bumper repair or replacement at various shops in your area.
- Your local mechanic will typically charge between $841 and $1628 for a complete bumper replacement.
- Midas charges car owners between $811 and $1547 on average for the bumper repair price.
- Mr. Tire will cost between $899 and $1465, being the most expensive out of all the chain stores that take care of rear-end collision repair.
- Lastly, Pep Boys charges between $826 and $1678 for the repair but only has a 6-month warranty price on their offerings.
- If you are searching for just parts and can do the labor yourself, Walmart charges between $299 and $940 for the parts.
- Lastly, Amazon charges between $!80 and $1204 for the parts needed to replace the rear bumper.
Sample Costs For Bumper Replacement
We have given you a list of some average prices for the rear-end collision repair cost in popular vehicles on the market today.
- The Ford F-Series, Ford Focus, and Ford Fusion all range between $885 and $1389 in total. The labor’s total price is between $500 and $700 for between 5 and 9 hours of work, whereas the parts range between $3865 and $689.
- The Chevrolet Silverado, Honda CR-V, Honda Civic, and Honda Accord all range between $935 and $1580 on average for the total rear-end collision repair cost. The fix’s labor is between $500 and $700, while the parts’ cost is between $435 and $880.
- Lastly, the most expensive rear-end collision repair cost is for the Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla, coming in at $958 to $1621.
The Bottom Line
Although the rear-end collision repair cost can be quite high if you have a damaged bumper, paying to fix this broken part is imperative to keeping your vehicle operating at a safe and functioning level!