Unfortunately the other posters are correct, your car may be brand new, it may be your pride and joy, it doesn't matter to the insurer - any insurer.

I think that the quality of the repairer is of more consequence, if you can influence this then it may serve you better e.g. will it impact the car's warranty ?

Provided the bumper can be repaired invisibly and it doesn't compromise its function (strength, safety - I assume it's just a cover) then I'm not sure you've been disadvantaged (except psychologically, I know that it's annoying to suffer loss even if it's merely the inconvenience). Any such loss is uninsured, if you can prove otherwise in a court then maybe you can have an attempt but I suspect this is either uneconomical or futile.

There are many situations in life where we are not compensated for our loss and I suspect (even as someone who treasures the perfect finish on a car) that this is one of the more minor ones on the whole spectrum of possiblities ? If it helps, many years ago my almost-new car was rear-ended whilst stationary at a roundabout, the subsequent repair (by the supplying franchised dealer) was some way below perfect, I traded the car in as soon as I could and I don't think that the dealer considered it relevant to the valuation.

Edited by idle_chatterer on 22/11/2013 at 03:28

Have you had the car from brand new?

If not how do you know the bumper hasn`t been damaged in the past and subject to cosmetic repairs by previous owners or sellers, or for that matter what if any other minor bodywork repairs it may have had prior to you taking ownership. Have you considered that the bumper could have been damaged in transit between the factory and the dealer and repaired before it even first left the showroom!........you just dont know and probably never will so is it really worth worrying about? I wouldnt be concerned about what the insurance company choose to do so long as its done to an acceptable standard.

Generaly insurance companies are obliged to put you back in the postion you were in prior to the accident, not to replace parts without question. If they can do this for less cost by repairing rather than replacing they will and even a brand new bumper will still need to be prepped and painted. If its carried out to a high standard a bumper repair wont affect the value of the car in the way serious body repairs would if that is your concern.

Edited by TedCrilly on 22/11/2013 at 15:30

Welcome to the real world !