Self-Pay Body Repair

Small One-Car Accident

Let’s say you backed into your mailbox or your vehicle became the goalie during your kids’ soccer practice. The result: A scraped fender, busted taillight and door dents – nothing too expensive, but certainly not a DIY fix.

This type of damage is usually covered by your comprehensive insurance, though filing a claim for auto body repair will mean meeting your deductible and, potentially, an increase of your monthly premiums. Some work like paintless dent repair or replacing a taillight usually costs less than paying a high deductible, let alone the impending raised rates.

Small Two-Car Accident

Most of us have been in minor fender-benders. Although the damage is usually minimal and everyone comes out of the accident unscathed, fender-benders can still be a stressful nuisance. In certain cases, particularly when the damage is minor or mostly cosmetic, both drivers in a two-car accident may agree not to get their auto insurance companies involved. Instead, one driver will admit fault and offer to pay for the damage out of their own pocket.

Hail Damage

If you’re in a state that has lax laws on auto insurance policies, your car may not be fully covered for hail damage. For instance, Missouri drivers are only required to have uninsured motorist coverage and liability coverage; Kansas drivers require, in addition to uninsured motorist and liability coverage, personal injury protection coverage.

Liability-only insurance policies only protect you in the event of an accident caused by you; this is why comprehensive insurance is, in our opinion, a must! With comprehensive insurance coverage, you can pay a deductible and have any major hail damage repaired at a reputable auto body shop near you.

Even with full comprehensive insurance, it may be better to self-pay for minor hail damage. Repairing a small dent in the hood, or replacing a broken side-view mirror or shattered window, might not even meet your deductible.