Yesterday morning, you had lots of space to work with. The garage door opening, however, strangely closed in on your car this morning as you were backing out and ripped out the side view mirror. Even if your insurance will pay for a replacement side mirror, this body shop fix will probably cost less than your deductible. It is therefore being paid for out of your wallet. The good news is that you can do it yourself and save a lot of money by replacing the side view mirror!
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How much does a side mirror replacement cost?
The average cost to replace a car side mirror is $150 to $350. If you decide to buy the mirror separately and replace it yourself, the cost will typically range from $35 to $90 depending on the make and model of your automobile. This price covers both the parts and labor costs.
Driving without a side mirror is it a crime?
Yes, it is forbidden. Driving without the passenger side wing mirror is legal as long as the interior and exterior mirrors are in good condition. Legally, you are required to have two functional mirrors, one of which must be on the driver’s side.
How long does a side mirror replacement take?
A skilled expert can replace the mirror in one to two hours, depending on how complicated the repair is. The internal door panel needs to be removed on occasion, but not always. The repair time varies slightly as a result. Recall that most dealers mark up the cost of their parts.
The typical labor rate at a body shop or dealership is $100/hour. The typical markup on parts is around 30%. You can use the following calculation to estimate the price to have a body shop or dealer replace your side mirror using those numbers:
Do insurance policies cover cracked side mirrors?
If the policyholder has collision or comprehensive insurance, then yes, vehicle insurance will cover a smashed side mirror. Broken side mirrors will be covered by collision insurance if the damage was brought on by an accident, but comprehensive coverage will pay if the damage was brought on by something other than an accident, such as vandalism or a natural catastrophe.
You cannot submit a claim if the cost of the damage is less than your deductible because comprehensive and collision insurance both have deductibles. Additionally, since claims typically result in higher insurance premiums, it might not be worthwhile to file one if the damage is minimal. However, compared to filing a collision claim, submitting a comprehensive claim often has less of an impact on your subsequent insurance costs.
Drivers without these coverage options will have to cover the cost of a broken side mirror out of pocket.
Can the glass in a mirror be replaced?
Depending on how the replacement mirror is fitted, the shop could remove the old one and install the new one for an additional $25 to $60. Additionally, you might be able to enhance the design by getting the new mirror with a beveled edge.