Door damage is, unfortunately, very common. As the main point of access, doors represent one of the weaker parts of an automobile. However, they are certainly much easier (and cheaper) to repair than critical running parts like an engine or transmission.
The Damage Matters A Lot
When we come to the subject of cost, the biggest determining factor (by far) will be the extent of the damage. If you’re just talking about a dent or two, you will get off relatively cheap. If entire components of the door need replacing, you’re talking about a much higher bill. In the end, it’s a lot like any other auto repair: The cost is determined by the time and materials required.
Average Figures
Although costs will vary a lot, most sources give an average figure of $500-$2500. This isn’t a bad place to begin, but we need to get a little more specific here. Since the majority of door damage will take the form of dents and dings, let’s look at average costs for the repair of such damage. So, how much will your car door dent repair cost?
Let’s start with these estimates from Chase Bank. They use these kinds of estimates for insurance and liability purposes, so they are likely to be pretty accurate. Like our previous source, they give us a maximum figure of $2500. However, their minimum figure is much smaller, at $50. Thus, if you’re only talking about a tiny little ding, the cost will be minimal.
This article from CarRoar gives us a different kind of estimate. This one says that the baseline cost will be anywhere from $100-$500. However, that range only applies to a 1-inch dent. The cost will go up by roughly $30 per inch.
This brings us to another important point: Many repair shops charge by the inch. A larger dent simply takes more time and effort to repair. It may also require specialized tools that are not cheap. So, the larger the dent, the more money you will have to pay.
We can see that these estimates vary a lot, but it is safe to say that $100 is a minimum figure for a small dent. If the dent isn’t larger than an inch, $500 would probably be a good maximum figure. For larger dents, $500-$2500 would be the norm. Needless to say, the higher end of that range would be reserved for cases with particularly large dents and/or multiple dents.
Will Your Insurance Cover The Cost Of Car Door Dent Repair?
That depends on your insurance policy. If you simply have a basic, bare-minimum kind of policy, these repairs are not likely to be covered. If you have full coverage (technically known as comprehensive and collision insurance), these repairs will probably be covered.
Of course, you should look at your policy before assuming this to be true. In many cases, insurance policies will have specific qualifications. For instance, most insurance companies will cover damage from falling objects, since that is clearly not the fault of the driver. On the other hand, damage that is considered to be the fault of the driver may not be covered.
Paint Costs
In many cases, a car door dent will also damage the paint job. However, there is a process known as “paintless” dent repair. Using specialized tools, it is usually possible to repair a dent without damaging the paint. However, dents that are particularly large and deep will probably have serious damage. Once the paint starts to flake off, it has to be repainted. This will often mean repainting the entire door, which will definitely add to the repair bill. This article estimates the cost of a complete door repainting job as $300-$1000.
That being said, it may be possible to “spot-paint”, meaning that the whole door will not have to be repainted. However, it is very difficult to match colors and finishes in such a way as to be exact. However, if you are on a tight budget, this is one option to consider. It probably won’t be perfect, but it is definitely going to be a lot cheaper.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Car Door?
Some of you might be wondering: “What if my car door has more serious damage? What if it isn’t just dents and dings?” When that is the case, you might want to consider replacing the entire door. Sometimes, that can actually be cheaper than repair. Once again, it all depends on the extent of the damage.
So, how much does it cost (on average) to replace a car door? About $500-$2500. As you can see, it has the exact same range as the cost of repair. Thus, it all depends on where your needs fall within that spectrum. Sometimes, you can save money by replacing the whole thing.
Conclusion
How much does it cost to repair a door ding? Anywhere from $50-$500, depending on the severity of the damage. How much does it cost to repair more extensive damage? Again, depending on the severity, those repairs will range from about $500-$2500. If you have any questions, or if you need a more exact estimate, feel free to call Elmer’s Auto Body at (856) 218-0202. We offer the finest service in South Jersey, just as we have done for over 70 years.