If your car has been in a minor accident, you may be tempted to do the repairs yourself in order to save money. After all, it can't be that hard, can it? Unfortunately, repairing a bumper is not as easy as it may seem. In fact, if you don't know what you're doing, you could end up making the problem worse. Here are reasons why you shouldn't DIY bumper repairs.

1. You Could End Up Voiding Your Warranty

One of the main reasons you may want to avoid DIY bumper repairs is that you could void your warranty. In their warranty terms and conditions, many car manufacturers explicitly state that any repairs performed without professional assistance will forfeit your coverage. If something goes wrong with the bumper after you've done it on your own, you won't be able to turn to the manufacturer for help. At best, this could mean shelling out even more money to get the work done. At worst, it could result in having to replace your entire bumper, an expensive and time-consuming process.

2. The Repair May Not Be as Strong as It Needs to Be

Another reason why you shouldn't attempt bumper repairs on your own is that the repair itself may not be as strong as it needs to be. Bumpers are designed to absorb impact in the event of a collision, so they need to be able to withstand a lot of force. If you don't know what you're doing, it's unlikely that your repair will meet these standards. This could put you and your passengers at risk if you're involved in another accident, even if it's just a minor one.

3. You Could End Up Doing More Damage

Perhaps the most important reason to avoid DIY bumper repairs is that you could actually do more damage. If you don't know what you're doing, it's easy to make things worse. For example, you might not realize that a certain part needs to be replaced until after you've started working on it. Or, you might not use the proper tools or techniques, which could cause further damage. In either case, you'll likely spend more money to have the work re-done by a professional than if you had just gone to one in the first place.

According to a survey from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, car-to-SUV crashes were particularly problematic. In these crashes, 67% of cars sustained damage below and above the car. The mean estimated claim amount was 72% higher when this occurred. In about one-fifth of car-to-car accidents, the bumpers initially hit each other. This is why you should never attempt to DIY bumper repairs. Not only will it void your warranty, but the repair itself may not be as strong as it needs to be. For more information, contact us today.