2009 Prius Bumper Question

Sorry you’re having to deal with this in this crazy time. What a pain.

I am a loss inspector for multiple insurance companies, so I speak from experience. I would focus on turning in what you need, and getting it taken to the body shop. I wouldn’t doubt there is more going on underneath the skin. A good body shop will probably be more knowledgeable than a average insurance guy or gal. Plus if there is more damage than originally thought, the insurance company will still pay for that as well.

 

On what to do Aaron Vitolins advice is probably the advice to follow. But:

Metal panel behind the front bumper is front bumper reinforcement or bumper bar.

If you're really worried you can just remove the plastic panel above the radiator under the hood. It's hold on with the plastic clips that (if still the correct ones) have a screw in the middle that you just turn a bit to loosen. That panel is commonly missing some clips as it needs to be removed just to check the coolant in radiator etc. or even the whole panel might be missing.

Then you can see the radiator (actually that's air conditioning condenser as that's the front one). If the front bumper bar hasn't hit it and panel under the radiator and on top of it is fine there's nothing to worry about driving it and damage to front was relatively small.

If the rear hatch still works normal and you can't see damage on the inside after lifting the cargo box out damage is small there as well.

 

You NEVER know what is going on underneath.

I mean, if you look at me, I look fairly (well, sort of) normal.

But, do the x-rays and bloodwork and you find a whole different set of problems.

Same with your car. Aaron is right. Do the required paperwork for insurance as requested, turn it in and the body shop will figure it out from there.