How Much Does It Cost to Replace or Repair a Car Bumper?

Most people prefer to repair rather than replace their bumpers, if possible. Repairing your bumper is a good way to deal with more minor damage like scratches and dents. Sometimes it's possible to repair more significant problems like cracks or sensor damage.

Minor bumper damage includes scratches or dents that don't affect the structural integrity of the bumper. Minor damage doesn't impact other parts of the vehicle, including lights and sensors in or around the bumper. This type of damage can be caused by very small collisions—like bumping into another car while you parallel park. It can also be caused by items like shopping carts or another vehicle's door hitting your bumper.

Signs of minor bumper damage typically include:

• Surface damage. Surface damage is minor paint scrapes, scratches or discoloration. Isolated scratches and scrapes can be repaired by a professional for as little as $50. Or, you can buy a DIY bumper paint repair kit for $15 to $30.
• Dents. Dents are common, since bumper material is meant to absorb impact. Luckily, dents are easy to repair, especially when there's no paint damage. Professional repair of minor dents will cost $150 or more. Alternatively, you can try your hand at removing dents yourself with a bumper dent repair kit (about $50 to $80).

If a collision causes your bumper to puncture, fold or crack, you're dealing with major bumper damage. This also includes impacts to sensors, camera or headlight systems that are often embedded in, around or behind bumpers. Major bumper damage often requires professional repair. It's important to get quotes to see whether it's worth fixing the bumper or if you'd be better off replacing it all together.

Signs of major bumper damage typically include:

• Punctures and cracks. Sometimes a collision is so strong that it cracks the plastic exterior of the bumper and exposes the shock-absorbing material behind it. This affects the bumper's ability to absorb future impacts, so the punctured or cracked bumper needs to be fixed. This can cost about $300 to $500.
• Shock compression. Bumpers prevent damage to the frame of a car by absorbing impact. That's done using metal shock-absorbing brackets and other materials. When those materials are compressed by a collision, the bumper is no longer able to do its job. Oftentimes, it's best to replace it.
• Sensor damage repair. If your vehicle has parking assist, emergency braking or other modern driver-assistance features, there are likely radar systems, sensors or cameras in or around your bumper. Those can cost $500 to $1,900 to repair or replace after a crash.

Sometimes it's more affordable to replace your bumper entirely than to repair it. If you have major damage, including shock compression or sensor damage, it's best to look at replacing the entire bumper.

The cost of bumper replacement varies widely. A new (or new to you) bumper can cost between $100 and $1,000, and installation can cost $200 to $600. Any driver-assistance features that are integrated into your bumper will add costs that can total thousands of dollars.

Considering these factors can help you predict the cost of your bumper replacement.

• Buying new vs. used. You can replace your bumper with a new bumper from the manufacturer, a new bumper from a third party or a used bumper. In general, manufacturer items are more expensive, while aftermarket (generic) and used bumpers are more affordable.
• Bumper type. The material your bumper is made from will also affect your cost. These days, most car bumpers are plastic. Plastic bumpers are easier to repair, which can make the job more economical. Metal bumpers, found mostly on older cars, are more difficult to repair and thus likely to be a more expensive fix.
• DIY vs. professional installation. If you're skilled enough to replace a bumper on your own, you can reduce costs. For a professional install, most shops charge $48 to $215 an hour for labor.
• Type of vehicle. As with many auto parts, bumpers are less expensive for hatchbacks and small cars and more expensive for trucks and SUVs.
• Rear vs. front bumper. Rear bumpers are typically more costly to replace than front bumpers.
• Safety features. Bumpers with integrated safety systems are often more expensive to repair. The more extensive the safety system, the more costly it is to replace. For example, bumpers with parking radar can cost as little as $500 to replace, while bumpers with cameras can cost up to $1,900.
• Paint and finish options. Many bumpers are black plastic. However, if you need a customized paint or finish job, you can expect to add $200 to $600 to your bill.

A bumper is an important feature of any car. Repairing or replacing your bumper isn't an area where you should skimp, but it's OK to be cost-conscious. These tips can help you save money on your bumper repair or replacement.

• Consider shopping used. Used bumpers are often more affordable.
• Compare repair and replacement costs. Sometimes, replacing a bumper requires less labor and can be cheaper than repairing it. Be sure to consider both options, factoring in the cost of parts, tools and labor.
• Think about DIY-ing. If you can repair minor bumper damage like scrapes or dents yourself, you'll save on labor costs and have a significantly cheaper repair.
• Get multiple quotes and shop around. Whether you're getting quotes from auto body shops or gathering the supplies you need for a DIY bumper replacement, shop around. Prices can vary widely, so gather at least three options.

Bumper repair and replacement can easily cost $1,000 or more. While it's not cheap, it doesn't always make financial sense to use your auto insurance for bumper repair. Before you file an insurance claim, consider the following:

• What's your deductible? If your deductible—the amount of the repair that you're responsible for—is high, it may not be worth filing a claim.
• Was the damage your fault? If the damage was your fault, your insurance company may pay for it. In that case, consider whether the claim is worth having a higher premium in the future. If someone else was at fault, the damage may be covered by their insurance company.

While bumper damage may seem relatively minor, addressing it can require a hefty outpouring of cash—one many drivers aren't prepared to shell out. But you don't necessarily have to pull from your savings. The Synchrony Car Care™ credit card makes it easy to manage all your car, truck and RV expenses—including bumper replacement—on one card.

Just like you wouldn't ride bumper cars with cracked, dented or missing bumpers, you shouldn't let real-world bumper damage slip by. Your bumper might seem like an afterthought, but it helps keep you and other people safe on the road. If you're in an accident, the bumper absorbs the impact of the crash to protect people as well as more expensive auto body parts.

Minor bumper damage like scratches and dents can often be fixed at home with kits that cost less than $100. But major bumper damage like cracks and compression can be costly to fix, especially if you have driver-assistance features like emergency braking or parking assist. It's common for bumper repair or replacement to cost $1,000 or more.

The Synchrony Car Care™ credit card can help you manage the unexpected cost of fixing or replacing your bumper, without delaying this essential car repair. Learn more and apply today.