It was another Friday night. I was at home long enough to take a shower then head out for the night. Got to my friends house and notice that my RH side blinker/parking light assembly was at an awkward position. I grabbed my screwdriver and knelt down to remove and reposition the light. This is when I notice something a bit out of the ordinary. For the first time since I have had this truck, 4 years, there was a dent, not a ding. But this was no ordinary dent. Apparently while I was at home (apartment), someone had backed into the truck and tore a$$ into my bumper. This hit damaged the spoiler, and the bumper had been pushed up into the RH fender. Just a flesh wound to the fender, but the bumper and spoiler have been destroyed. I called the police to do a damage report, but I was told "With less than $500 damage, you are basically screwed".

This is just great! With less than a week to move, and just enough cash in my pocket to move on, now I am stuck with the bill of repairing my truck! May be my personal opinion since it is my truck, but I think I could qualify for ugly truck of the month since I took the bumper off.

Now maybe someone can help me with this and let me know what my insurance company will do for me. Some people have told me that since this was a hit and run that insurance will cover 100%, but then others say I have to pay the first $500 no matter what and then insurance covers the rest! If anyone know the answer to this problem, let me know. I am calling my insurance carrier first thing in the morning as well.

Also, if insurance will not cover the bill for me, does anyone know where I can buy a new bumper, other than from Ford (which will cost me an arm and a leg, and maybe my first born). I plan on junk yard hopping tomorrow afternoon.

Check out my site for damage photos

 

These days with the way cars and trucks are made... just scraping the paint can cost you 500. Perhaps you should take it by a bodyshop for an estimate and then report it to the police. The police officer is probably not a certified person to make an estimate on body damage. A body shop is.

Sorry to hear about your truck. The person who hit and run is nothing but a coward. Hope everything works out for you.

 

James - sorry to hear about your truck. When I read your post I went to your gallery to see what kind of bed you have because I have a new rear bumper in my garage. Mine is a Styleside and I believe it is shorter than yours however - and Florida is not very close to me.
You might want to consider installing a rollpan instead of replacing the bumper (you've seen my truck). They're less than $100 and require painting and a little fitting. Good luck with the repair.
Dono

 

Thanks for the replies guys!

Dono, I only wish it had been the rear bumper getting smashed because I am planning on replacing it with a roll pan. But its my luck that it was the front bumper that was destroyed as I was backed into the parking space.

I called my insurance company this morning and they told me I am stuck with the bill.

I also called every junk/salvage yard in my yellow pages, and no one has a bumper for me! :-(

 

I was looking through my Truckin' magazine last night... What is this bumper cover/air dam. Is this a replacement for the bumper or is it exactly what it says, a bumper cover?

 

you might be able to find a decent used one on ebay.