"Ended up paying double to get it done right. Pros exist for a reason, lol."
Haha, yep, seen that more times than I can count. DIY repairs can be tempting, but insurance claims get tricky when the fix doesn't hold up. Had a client once who duct-taped his bumper back on—looked okay at first glance, but you can imagine how that ended... Sometimes saving a few bucks upfront costs way more down the line. Glad you got it sorted eventually.
Totally agree—seen lots of DIY fixes turn sour. If you're gonna attempt repairs yourself, at least double-check your insurance policy first. Learned that lesson when my buddy's "quick fix" voided his coverage... not fun dealing with that headache.
"Learned that lesson when my buddy's 'quick fix' voided his coverage... not fun dealing with that headache."
Yeah, that's a rough one. Also worth mentioning—some insurers require you to use specific repair shops or at least notify them before you start wrenching yourself. Better safe than sorry, honestly...
"Better safe than sorry, honestly..."
Definitely agree with you there. Another thing people overlook is documenting repairs step-by-step if they're DIYing it—photos, receipts for parts, timestamps... insurers can get picky about proof later. I learned this prepping my rig before a cross-country trip; having detailed records saved me from a major hassle when I had to file a claim halfway through the journey. Just something extra to think about.
Haha, totally with you on the documenting thing. I learned that lesson the hard way when I replaced my own bumper after a minor fender bender. Thought I was being smart saving money DIYing it, but when someone rear-ended me a few months later, insurance wanted proof the bumper wasn't already damaged. Took me forever digging through old emails and bank statements to prove I'd bought the parts myself. 🙄
Now I snap pics of everything—parts, receipts, even screenshots of online orders. Feels kinda paranoid at first, but trust me, it's worth it if you ever have to deal with insurance claims. Plus, it's kinda satisfying scrolling through your phone gallery and seeing your car go from busted to beautiful, lol.
Also, side note: military discounts are awesome. My cousin flashed his ID at a rental place once and got upgraded from a compact to a Mustang convertible for free. Dude was grinning ear-to-ear for days... meanwhile I'm still driving my mom's old sedan. 😂
