Got rear ended yesterday. Is there anyway to tell if the internals have been damaged without removing the bumper.

[Genesiswonderer]

Okay, so unfortunately I got rear ended in my 2015 Genny yesterday. Okay so after the collision, we obviously stopped and got out and looked. We were both okay and there didn't seem to be much damage besides some paint transfer from her car to mine, as well as some scratches. Her car seemed fine and mine didn't appear to have much damage so she just gave her information just in case and we went about our way (we were in the middle of the street). I then took it to a shop to see if they could find anything I might not be able to see and they mentioned how that they don't know if the metal frame underneath got bent until they take the bumper off. They also found damage to the cover under the rear of the car (but this, I'm not sure if it's from the accident or from bottoming out on something at an earlier point.) But in order to remove the bumper, they said for my particular car because it has blind spot monitoring and parking sensors that they would have to be disconnected and reconnected and then reset, costing $700 for just the recalibration and reset!

So that leaves me with this. I am concerned about damage under the bumper that cannot be seen. So is there anyway to find out if the metal frame got bent and needs to be replaced without removing the whole bumper? The guy at the shop said you can't see it from underneath because there's like something for NVH blocking it?



Which leaves me to another one of my main questions. Does insurance even cover hidden damage? Or do they only cover visible damage? Is it detrimental to the car and my safety if I don't do anything, as it was definitely much more than a tap, but the bumper and the car looks fine besides the scratches and it's not leaking any fluids?



Also, I'm so far fine, maybe just the tiniest bit of soreness here and there. Also, her car was a 2014 Chevy Equinox if that helps any. I don't remember how fast she was going since it all happened so fast and was very shocking, but it was certainly more than 2.5 mph, and probably over 10 mph.



Any help or advice is appreciated!

PS. So far, it seems like all of the rear parking sensors and blind spot monitoring still work.

 

[Mcc]

I'm so far fine, maybe just the tiniest bit of soreness here and there

Glad you are fine now but you are likely to feel quite a bit more sore in a day or two. I would recommend you go somewhere tomorrow and just have yourself checked over. If it gets progressively worse you will regret now having acted sooner.

 

[EdP]

Which leaves me to another one of my main questions. Does insurance even cover hidden damage? Or do they only cover visible damage? Is it detrimental to the car and my safety if I don't do anything, as it was definitely much more than a tap, but the bumper and the car looks fine besides the scratches and it's not leaking any fluids?

What did your insurance agent say when you called him?
They certainly cover hidden damage. They would have to authorize the $700 inspection though. Most will send an adjuster or have you take it to a shop they work with.

 

[Genesiswonderer]

What did your insurance agent say when you called him?
They certainly cover hidden damage. They would have to authorize the $700 inspection though. Most will send an adjuster or have you take it to a shop they work with.

First of all, it wasn't my agent, it was the other drivers insurance company. I told them there was minimal visible damage but I was concerned about the metal underneath and they just added it to the remarks I wanted to give the adjuster.

Edit: also question do these 2015 gennys have active head restraints like the earlier BH sedans? if so, how can I make sure it didn't activate?

 

[EdP]

First of all, it wasn't my agent, it was the other drivers insurance company. I told them there was minimal visible damage but I was concerned about the metal underneath and they just added it to the remarks I wanted to give the adjuster.

Edit: also question do these 2015 gennys have active head restraints like the earlier BH sedans? if so, how can I make sure it didn't activate?

Question still applies. You have insurance and your agent should see that you are properly taken care of.

 

[glennk]

While your actions are admirable to help the other party, you need to allow the mechanic to do a full evaluation. If this requires removal of the bumper so be it. The other party hit you and there is going to be some damage on a modern car, whether it is the bumper, sensors, deformable material, bumper supports and possibly frame damage. All of that needs to be addressed.
Yes, your Genesis does have active front head restraints. They do reduce the possibility of whiplash. But, you can still experience muscle strain and possible injury. You need to be seen, like MCC suggested. Just to cover your bases.

 

[Mcc]

Which leaves me to another one of my main questions. Does insurance even cover hidden damage? Or do they only cover visible damage? Is it detrimental to the car and my safety if I don't do anything, as it was definitely much more than a tap, but the bumper and the car looks fine besides the scratches and it's not leaking any fluids?

You have no idea what you are getting yourself into here. Their insurance company is looking out for her, not you. You are paying for insurance, USE IT. Your company will handle everything including collecting from the other company. If you don’t report this accident, which was not your fault, to your insurance company and things start to go sideways, you may have no recourse. Stories change. She can even claim you backed up into her!

 

[glennk]

GenesisWonderer, everyone here is just wanting the best for you.

 

[Genesiswonderer]

You have no idea what you are getting yourself into here. Their insurance company is looking out for her, not you. You are paying for insurance, USE IT. Your company will handle everything including collecting from the other company. If you don’t report this accident, which was not your fault, to your insurance company and things start to go sideways, you may have no recourse. Stories change. She can even claim you backed up into her!

Okay, so I guess I should report what happened to my own insurance? I guess I'll call them tomorrow. Then what happens after that if it wasn't my fault? What protections does that give me?

 

[Mcc]

Okay, so I guess I should report what happened to my own insurance? I guess I'll call them tomorrow. Then what happens after that if it wasn't my fault? What protections does that give me?

Your insurance company works with the other company. You tell your story to your insurance company. If you have picture and diagrams send those to them. They will decide fault. I’m not sure what the laws are in your state.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[Genesiswonderer]

While your actions are admirable to help the other party, you need to allow the mechanic to do a full evaluation. If this requires removal of the bumper so be it. The other party hit you and there is going to be some damage on a modern car, whether it is the bumper, sensors, deformable material, bumper supports and possibly frame damage. All of that needs to be addressed.
Yes, your Genesis does have active front head restraints. They do reduce the possibility of whiplash. But, you can still experience muscle strain and possible injury. You need to be seen, like MCC suggested. Just to cover your bases.

Thanks for the reply. How can I tell if the active head restraint activated (I don't think it did, but just to be sure)? Also, interestingly, it seems that all the sensors still seem to work as of now.

 

[TinsleyC]

Definitely call your insurance and report it. They are all you have in this fight. Your car did sustain damage, whether exposed or hidden, and you are entitled to get that repaired.

I am insured by State Farm and the insurance card they provide has these notes on there -

If you have an accident: notify the police immediately. (Not sure I would have done that in this case, they hardly respond to anything these days)

1) Get names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons involved and witnesses. Also get driver license numbers of persons involved and license plate numbers/states of vehicles.

2) Don't admit fault or discuss the accident with anyone but State farm or police.

3) Promptly notify your agent, log on to statefarm.com or use the State Farm mobile app to file a claim.

Maybe This thread will help.

Thread 'Popped headrests! How to reset?' Popped headrests! How to reset?

 

[EdP]

Okay, so I guess I should report what happened to my own insurance? I guess I'll call them tomorrow. Then what happens after that if it wasn't my fault? What protections does that give me?

I'm the adjuster from the other person's insurance company. Looks like a few scratches to me. We'll buff it up and paint it. When done, you'll never know it was hit. Nah, nothing under there to get damaged, trust me. Sign here please. No need to involve your insurance, we treat you well. That will just take time.

 

[Genesiswonderer]

Definitely call your insurance and report it. They are all you have in this fight. Your car did sustain damage, whether exposed or hidden, and you are entitled to get that repaired.

I am insured by State Farm and the insurance card they provide has these notes on there -

If you have an accident: notify the police immediately. (Not sure I would have done that in this case, they hardly respond to anything these days)

1) Get names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons involved and witnesses. Also get driver license numbers of persons involved and license plate numbers/states of vehicles.

2) Don't admit fault or discuss the accident with anyone but State farm or police.

3) Promptly notify your agent, log on to statefarm.com or use the State Farm mobile app to file a claim.

Maybe This thread will help.

Thread 'Popped headrests! How to reset?' Popped headrests! How to reset?

Okay, thanks for the reply! Is this going to make my premium go up even though it technically wasn't my fault?

 

[Genesiswonderer]

I'm the adjuster from the other person's insurance company. Looks like a few scratches to me. We'll buff it up and paint it. When done, you'll never know it was hit. Nah, nothing under there to get damaged, trust me. Sign here please. No need to involve your insurance, we treat you well. That will just take time.

Okay, so if I call my insurance, does that a: make my premium go up even though it technically wasn't my fault, and b. is my insurance going to send out their adjuster as well?

 

[EdP]

Okay, so if I call my insurance, does that a: make my premium go up even though it technically wasn't my fault, and b. is my insurance going to send out their adjuster as well?

Your agent can answer that.

When I got hit I was not moving, thus not my fault. My insurance got my car fixed in a timely manner and I paid the $500 deductible. They later collected from the other insurance and refunded my $500. Rate not affected.
That is my experience but yours may differ.

 

[pulsar]

If you got rear ended, the other party is at fault. Their insurance should take care of everything. Your body shop of choice will remove as needed for inspection and replacement of needed parts. No real need to notify your agent unless the other party refuses liability. My Miata got rear ended recently, the other driver reported to his insurance as he should have, admitted his head was up his ass, his insurance called me, gave me claim number, had me send in pictures, they have sent me a check already, my body shop of choice will handle any hidden damage via a supplement back to Farmers. My agent has no action. Matter of fact, you get several not at fault accidents, your premium can be affected even if your insurances has paid out zero. I lost a discount on my policy for I can no longer claim I’ve never been in an accident the last 3 years. I got hit on my Harley and it was totaled, year and a half latter an idiot rear ended and totaled my Infinity. My. Agent told me if I got involved in a 3rd accident, even though all mine had not been my fault, he said I could get put in a high risk insurance pool when I had not done anything except be in front of idiots. My first accident was 2018 so it should have fallen off by now. Second was mid 2019 so it’s getting close to falling off and I can get my 3 year claim free discount back.

 

[Genesiswonderer]

Your agent can answer that.

When I got hit I was not moving, thus not my fault. My insurance got my car fixed in a timely manner and I paid the $500 deductible. They later collected from the other insurance and refunded my $500. Rate not affected.
That is my experience but yours may differ.

Thanks! Can i continue to drive the car for another week or so until I can get it in? It seems to be completely driveable, there are no fluids leaking, and all of the sensors still work. Or will it do damage if I drive the car until I get it fixed?

 

[EdP]

Thanks! Can i continue to drive the car for another week or so until I can get it in? It seems to be completely driveable, there are no fluids leaking, and all of the sensors still work. Or will it do damage if I drive the car until I get it fixed?

Should be OK to drive.

 

[Genesiswonderer]

Should be OK to drive.

Okay. Also, should I try to take it to a Hyundai Certified Collision Center? Would I get a better repair that way than taking it somewhere that's not? Or can I just take it anywhere and ask that they use genuine oem parts?