Expert: William Forster - 9/23/2008

Question
I have an Honda Accord 2008, other day while taking a turn from a very narrow lane the curb rubbed against the part below the two doors, No harm was done to the door but the long strip below the two doors is all scratched and uneven. The panel is one piece till the back of the car. I wanted to know the best way to bring it back to its original shape. Shall i replace it or repair it. Shall i approach my insurance company for this or do it on my own expense?
Thanks in advance

Answer
If it's a separate molding from the body (plastic) you need to replace the part. It's almost always cheaper to replace the rocker molding than to repair it. If it's steel, and it's all wrinkled up, you need to make an insurance claim. The rocker is steel ,and it's welded to the car- it's an important piece of the unibody structure, and needs professionally installed. Bill