Estimated Cost to Fix Deep Scratches and Dent on Camry Door

bargain crazy on 08/11/2020 - 08:48
Last edited 09/11/2020 - 13:18 by 1 other user

Hi All

Yesterday my wife scrapped the car passenger side rear door with the pillar next to it in the parking lot (pictures of the damage attached). There is a big dent on the door and on the biggest scratch the paint is about to peel of from there.

We have a comprehensive insurance and when I called my insurer last night, they told me get the quotes from outside and see if it can be done cheaper outside. But today being Sunday, none of the panel/smash repair shops are open and hence wanted to check about the ballpark figure. I feel it would be way more than my excess and I would end up wasting my time and repairer's time for the quotes.

My excess is $650 and we never had a claim in years of driving history.

Make and model of car - 2014 blue Toyota Camry (our fav OzBargain car)

P. S. - I am trying to keep calm as we plan to celebrate my daughter birthday in the park :) and could be late in replying.

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/187299/84303/img-20201…

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/187299/84302/img-20201…

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/187299/84301/img-20201…

Edit : Thanks all for the recommendations. I will take the car to the local repairer's for the quote and will decide from there. Also called the nearby wrecker and they have rhe same colour available with rear door, will check that as well.

Edit-1: Editing for future reference of others.
Got 3 quotes from my local smash repair shops and the quotes were 1k, 1.5k, 2k.
1k quote was from the most recommended repair shop on local fb pages and google reviews.
The guy who gave the quote 2k was least interested after hearing my excess.

Automotive

Comments

  • poboy on 08/11/2020 - 08:52
    +6

    1. Continually refresh this thread in vain until Monday

    2. Call repairer on Monday to get estimate

    Control what you can control.

  • thatonethere on 08/11/2020 - 08:55
    +6

    About $1000 to $1200

    Not worth claiming

    • dirtybigbjelke on 08/11/2020 - 11:26

      Agreed. New door skin plus paint to blend in $1200.

    • apsilon on 08/11/2020 - 12:01
      +1

      Yep, just make sure you tell them it's not an insurance job and you're paying out of pocket when you get a quote.

  • whooah1979 on 08/11/2020 - 08:57
    +2

    Buy the same colour paint from Toyota and paint the scratches so that they don’t rust. The dent can be repaired just before you sell the it.

    • bargain crazy on 08/11/2020 - 09:07
      +1

      I liked the idea, but would want to keep the car in better shape. I know this suggestion may be the cheapest but as a personal choice would like to get it fixed

      • pegaxs on 08/11/2020 - 09:23
        +1

        want to keep the car in better shape.

        It doesn’t even look like you wash it and you are going all panic merchant over a ding in a door…

        • bargain crazy on 08/11/2020 - 09:43

          True on washing but scrapped paint or dents, I would prefer to get it fixed.
          Btw - I didn't neg you.

          • Kangal on 08/11/2020 - 14:44
            +4

            @bargain crazy: Have you thought about replacing the wife? Could be cheaper…

  • Ughhh on 08/11/2020 - 08:57

    I feel it would be way more than my excess and I would end up wasting my time and repairer's time for the quotes.

    So you are an expert on repairs?
    Even if the repair is the same, or a bit more, I would still not involve insurance to keep the claims history clean. Doesn't look like an emergency, just wait till Monday due quotes.

    • bargain crazy on 08/11/2020 - 09:04
      +1

      No an expert mate, but was just a thought and hence wanted to get suggestion from community, as I am also confused whether to involve insurance or not. But looking at the replies here, the general consent is not to involve insurer and will follow that.

      • Ughhh on 08/11/2020 - 10:07
        +1

        It's not an urgent matter. Like with anything else in life, There's no reason why you can't make a decision after you've obtained the information you need ie. Quote from a repairer.

        But looking at the replies here, the general consent is not to involve insurer and will follow that.

        Depending on cost of repair, no one here can see the actual extent of damage, only guessing. Use your judgement when you get pro advice.

      • conan2000 on 09/11/2020 - 14:01

        My other half did similar a few years ago. It was ~$1600ish via the insurers repair place (yours will probably b less as it was the door + the panel behind that she scratched). I'd claim in on insurance personally. Our insurance went up about $100 the next year because of it, but it came back down after that.

  • holdenmg on 08/11/2020 - 08:59
    +1

    Well, this isn't so bad
    I thought it would be a lot worse than this.
    They'll be able to buff this out.
    Planes, Trains and Automobiles

  • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2020 - 08:59
    +2

    You might need to buy a new car.

    • bargain crazy on 08/11/2020 - 09:14
      +1

      Well, if this would have been a write off, I would have happily bought a new one (means used car). But for now will have to live with it and getting it fixed. 🙂

      • [Deactivated] on 08/11/2020 - 09:16
        +1

        I was joking bro, if you had to buy a new car, you would have to buy a new house to match.
        Jokes aside, when you do get a quote, ask about the warranty of the work, I have had my mother's car have warranty work done that has now rusted out, since she changed insurance providers they are no longer required to honor their warranty.

        Cheaper does not always mean better but gl in your solution.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 08/11/2020 - 09:06

    Get some hot water and a toilet pump to revert the dent, lots of youtube clip.

    Scratch leave it until you sell your car, it is just eyesore I know but you may have another one by yourself or your wife or someone at fault who will pay to fix it all up.

    I do suggest you buy some wax to protect it so you don't need to worry about it go rust.

  • pegaxs on 08/11/2020 - 09:16
    +12

    Ahhhh. Powder blue Camry, the OzBargain chariot of choice.

    Go to a wrecker and get a new door. Unbolt old one, screw on new one. Done.

    Or, you know, leave it because it’s not worth it and it doesn’t affect the drive ability of the car and she could do it again next week. Could cost you more to fix it than what it’s worth.

    I am trying to keep calm

    It’s a door scratch, ffs, not a smashed up car you can’t drive. It obviously drove to the park ok.

    All I can think of is this…

  • ShannonN on 08/11/2020 - 09:17
    -1

    wife crashed it, wife pays for repair out of her pocket, no need for insurance claim. Just need to buy her glasses

  • MS Paint on 08/11/2020 - 09:23

    I am trying to keep calm

    Chill dude. It's a car. No one was injured. Accidents happen. Enjoy your daughter birthday.

    A panel beater will just reskin the door and spray to match. I'm guessing $930.47.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 08/11/2020 - 10:08
      +3

      Here was me thinking it would be $947.30.

      • ProlapsedHeinous on 08/11/2020 - 11:46
        +2

        Bruh, Do you guys even smash repair? $918.66 tops

        • Bob Svargis on 09/11/2020 - 14:04
          +1

          I found an ozbargain coupon for 4% cashback from Jim Bob's smash repairs, AND he price matched so I get $36.75 cash back!

  • kehuehue on 08/11/2020 - 09:31

    I had a similar deep scratch on my 2016 camry

    paid insurance to fix it, they replaced the panel and stuff - was atleast 3k in the invoice between the parties

    • MS Paint on 08/11/2020 - 09:36

      3k through insurance.
      1k privately

  • Ocker on 08/11/2020 - 09:39
    +1

    New door skin and respray around $1,500. Driver refresher lessons for the wife about $60 p.h.

    • MS Paint on 08/11/2020 - 23:30
      +1

      Kids birthday party….. Priceless

  • brendanm on 08/11/2020 - 09:43
    +7

    Go to wreckers, buy another blue Camry door, swap out with yours.

    Oops, I see I was beaten to this suggestion.

    • holdenmg on 08/11/2020 - 10:38
      +3

      Or just take Camry to wreckers.

  • bobbified on 08/11/2020 - 10:57
    +3

    P. S. - I am trying to keep calm

    haha.. can't really get angry at your wife.
    Unless….. this camry is your pride and joy… but I doubt it! lol!

  • SmashedMango on 08/11/2020 - 11:54
    +1

    $1k based on similar experience

  • Randxyz123 on 08/11/2020 - 14:18

    Pretty difficult to estimate based on photos. I’d go to repairers tomorrow. Get 3 quotes maybe in your local area. If smash repairer more than excess for a cash job then decision made!

  • GordonR on 08/11/2020 - 14:45
    +1

    So how much will a small claim alter your future insurance premiums?

    If you have no-claim-bonus insurance, then there may be no increase and so your 650 excess may be your total out of pocket.

    Otherwise your no-claim bonus may be reduced, and you’d have to pay more for a few years. I had a similar issue but my no-claim bonus was only reduced by a bit, not right back to 0.

    But you should find out the numbers before deciding.

    • miwahni on 09/11/2020 - 00:07

      Even if keeping full no claim bonus, premium could go up because he's told the insurer of an accident even if he doesn't lodge a claim. I've heard of this happening before.

  • Euphemistic on 08/11/2020 - 16:08

    Pull the door trim off and pop the dent out.
    Touch up paint for the scratches.
    Close enough for a Camry

  • onetwothreefour on 08/11/2020 - 17:10

    $1k based on ozbargain user comments.

  • Willco88 on 09/11/2020 - 05:43

    $10 of spray cans ahahhaha

  • Willco88 on 09/11/2020 - 05:44

    But honestly just get another Door from local wrecker

  • jazoom on 09/11/2020 - 07:19

    I had something like this about 2 years ago. A repair shop fixed it for about $550. They had to repaint the whole door and the whole panel behind it, which conveniently also fixed a large paint defect that was on that panel when I bought it. I also got quotes for more than double that. The job was absolutely perfect. It pays to get as many quotes as you can. Tell them it's not being paid by insurance. If you're in southeast Queensland I can recommend them to you.

    • Willco88 on 09/11/2020 - 07:20

      Yes and tell them you've got better quote from xxxx and they will compete usually 😋

  • OzHunterNSW on 09/11/2020 - 10:04
    +1

    Well, this is what your insurance is for. The damage is extensive and a panel beater will "jack up" the price considerably.

    However… Vehicle panels are not like they used to be. On today's vehicles, the panel is relatively thin, and you will find on "Tube" many techniques in which to pull out the dents yourself.

    As for the paint, it may just require a simple polish.

    I suggest look on Utube for examples….. who cares any more about a dented door. No one buys sedans any more so you will find you have lost thousands anyway.

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