Why You Shouldn't Neglect Minor Bumper Damage

Tony Mers • June 1, 2019

Car accidents -- even minor ones -- are not fun. Fortunately, most people will only have to experience the frustration of fender benders; from runaway grocery carts to slow-moving parking lot collisions, your bumpers usually take the brunt of the damage. You may notice your paint has scratched or chipped off, your bumpers are sporting some new (not shiny) dents, or you may not see anything (although that doesn't necessarily mean that there's nothing wrong).

Rather than ignore these bruises, it's best to get even the tiniest of scrapes looked at and repaired; let's find out why.

Resale Value: You're not going to be driving that same car for the rest of your life. If you take good care of it, you'll be able to trade it in for a decent price when the time comes to upgrade; if you have damaged bumpers, however, potential buyers may think you're trying to hide more serious damage or even vehicle neglect. Though it may not affect your car's ability to drive, noticeable bumper damage can cost your hundreds of dollars in selling value.

Safety: Bumpers are made of two components: the bumper absorber and the bumper bar. Because bumpers are designed to absorb the force of an impact sustained during a collision while protecting the engine compartment, trunk -- and most importantly -- you , damage to either one can compromise the safety of the vehicle's occupants. It's simply better not to take the risk.

Insurance Claims: If you decide not to repair your minor damage and then find yourself in another accident, an insurance adjuster will most likely inspect your vehicle to determine how much damage was incurred. If they notice old bumper damage, they could rule that the previous accident compromised the structural integrity of your bumper, making the damage from the second accident more severe; you won't be covered for the resulting costs because it was determined to be your fault.

The hassle of taking your vehicle to a car paint shop or car body shop may seem too much, especially if you're strapped for cash at the moment, but it is always a good idea. Though you'll end up dealing with dent repair or repainting costs, the investment is always worth it.

If you're dreading the trip to the car paint shop, be grateful you're not facing the repercussions of a more serious accident; rear-end collisions comprised 33% of car crashes in 2014, and are estimated to occur on U.S. roads every eight seconds. They're also significantly more expensive to fix.

Looking for a reliable car paint shop? Call River North Collision Repair at (312) 403-6000 today.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.