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How do you fix front end damage?

I rear-ended someone in a parking lot and my Honda CR-V suffered some bumper damage. Is there anything I can do to fix it myself?

avatar
Sophie Newman · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“I’m sorry to hear about your accident. I’m sure it’s incredibly stressful to rear-end someone and have your car damaged in the process.
If your bumper suffered some minor nicks, scratches, or even dents, you may be able to fix those yourself following these steps:
  • Remove any sharp pieces and debris from your bumper to avoid further damage.
  • After that, you’ll want to reinforce the area before you add any filler to the front. To do this, cut a piece of auto-repair cloth, or mesh, about an inch larger than the damage.
  • Soak the cloth with fiberglass-impregnated body filler and press it onto the backside. Allow at least three hours for the repair patch to set.
  • When set, you can start to add filler to the front. Follow the specific filler directions to find out how many total layers you should apply.
  • Sand the area smooth and paint the bumper to match your car.
If the damage is severe, you should visit an auto body repair shop.
Depending on your
car insurance
coverage, you may be able to submit a claim to your insurance. If you have
collision coverage
, you should have coverage for repairs.
If you don’t currently have collision coverage or would like to shop around after repairs, use the
Jerry
app. Jerry collects personalized insurance quotes from up to 50 insurance companies and delivers the best deals to your phone in minutes for free.”
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