Its been a fun ride with my CX9 but had a minor accident in my garage recently. The passenger side rear door was hit and dent and some bottom of the door is scratched… I already raised a claim with my insurance and they have approved a claim for $1100 net or I still have an option to repair this with a shop and they pay them fully.
I took the car to couple of shops and one shop wanted 4K or more which includes replacing the door. There was another local body shop that asked to fix the dent and repaint the door for below 1K. He also said replacing the door might be better but he can do either. His fix without replacing the door would be 97% or so perfect.
I still have 2 years of lease term and debating if I should let the car fixed with replacing the door and try to match the color on the whole body or let the dent fixed and repaint the door and try to match it as close as he can. Would Mazda charge me when I return the car either way? Is there any recommendations you have for me in this situation?
In your shoes, had an insurance claim not been opened, I probably would have done the less expensive repair out of pocket. If the less expensive repair will still get your lease back to returnable condition sans bill, I’d go that route. If they can’t be clearer about the 3% deficiency in the repair, I’d let the insurance replace the door.
The local mechanic said he will fix the dent for sure and the painting alone would be little different as its fresh coating. Professionally fixed either way. The first dealer wanted the whole side to be painted to match and replace the door. I am fixing this one way or the other. Just wanted to know if I go with cheaper option, if that would be an issue down the road. The guy said 2 years after painting may not be an issue but would not want to take a chance if replacing the door with insurance is easier.
I was debating about the claim for while and end up opening as the 1K expense and the paint difference scared me a little.
And I agree if you’re painting an entire side of the car, and/ or replacing the door, it makes sense to involve insurance. I’ve learned from experience not to involve them until I am 110% certain I’m using them — even if they don’t pay anything, there’s still a claim on your CLUE report for years.
Below is the pic of the damage. Insurance will pay for me either way. If i take their 1100 payment then i can pay whatever to fix it to level where the mazda wont charge me and mostly make 100 or so. If i choose to use repair option then they would be paying probably 3k or so and ill pay 500 deductible.
Thanks. Was there an issue with the paint color not matching and if this would be an issue during return of the lease if we don’t paint the whole side?
It’s a lease. I see nothing out of the ordinary nor would I have called my insurance yet. Back in 2015 I leased a new Honda accord sport. 6 months of owning it had similar damages like yours. Many body shop options here in Miami. It costs me $850 to fix. Passed inspection 30 days before lease end. No issues what so ever. You are over thinking this too much.
