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How do I fix a bent plastic bumper?

My teen driver backed the family car into a pole. Now the bumper is completely bent. How do I fix a bent plastic bumper?

avatar
Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh dear—new drivers can cause a lot of problems when they’re still learning! To fix a bent plastic bumper, you can try some DIY dent solutions or visit a repair shop for bumper reshaping. It depends on how seriously the bumper is misshapen.
If you want to try a homemade fix:
  • Apply boiling water to the bumper and then reach inside the wheel well to pop it back
  • Apply a heat gun or blow dryer to the area for three minutes and then pop the plastic back
  • Buy a suction dent puller and try to pull the dented portion back into place
If you’d prefer to let the professionals handle it, body repair shops are well-accustomed to handling bent plastic bumpers. They use a process called bumper reshaping. This is a time-consuming process that requires heating, cooling, and applying force to re-form the shape.
You may wish to file a claim to help cover the repairs costs if you have
collision coverage
. However, get an estimate for the repair cost before you file.
If the repair will cost less than your deductible, it may be wiser to pay the fee out-of-pocket. (Maybe your teen could work off the sum by doing extra chores?)
If you’re looking to update your
car insurance
coverage or want a better rate,
Jerry
can help. Use Jerry to compare quotes from many top providers and make an easy in-app switch.
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