5 Benefits of a Rear Bumper Guard

A rear bumper guard is usually one of two things. It can be a set of vertical bars attached to the bumper, although this type of guard is more commonly used on front bumpers, or it can be a plastic foam-filled pad or a rubber pad that easily attaches or detaches from the back of a vehicle. Rear bumper guards can provide several benefits. Here are a few.

Protect the Vehicle When Parking

It's easy to bump into a pole, fence or even another vehicle when you are parallel parking. Parking garages can also cause a problem because of the cramped conditions and large amounts of cement pillars which can cause significant damage to a vehicle when hit. A plastic foam-filled guard will protect your bumper from any damage by providing a cushion. The foam will absorb a moderate amount of pressure so the vehicle bumper doesn't get damaged. The guard will also act as a barrier which will prevent paint from scraping off your vehicle.

Reduce Whiplash During a Fender Bender

A rear bumper guard will absorb the shock of an impact during a fender bender and reduce the chance of whiplash and other injuries to the occupants in the vehicle. Vertical bars will completely absorb the shock so the occupants will feel little of the impact. A foam-filled guard will absorb a large portion of the impact shock. A rubber pad won't provide much protection, so it's a better idea to pick one of the first two types of rear bumper guards if you're looking for whiplash protection in a fender bender.

Protect Your Paint Job

Someone may damage the paint on your bumper when you're parked in a public place. A grocery store parking lot, for example, can be hazardous for your paint job if others don't look where they're walking with a cart and then clip the back of your vehicle. A rubber or foam-filled guard will act as a barrier between the cart and your paint job. Vertical bars will prevent anyone from getting near the back of your vehicle.

Help Your Vehicle Meet Federal Safety Standards

U.S. federal regulations say that bumper protection on a vehicle must be 16 to 20 inches above the road surface and must be solid enough to withstand impacts of specific speeds across the width of the bumper and on the corners during a low-speed rear collision. Across the width, a bumper must be able to withstand 2 mph impact speed. On the corners, a bumper must be able to withstand 1 mph impact speed without denting or crushing to the point of offering no protection to the car body. Some vehicles may have hollow bumpers that on their own wouldn't meet federal safety standards, but do once you install special rear bumper guards with corner guards.

Make a Vehicle More Visually Appealing

Some styles of rear bumper guards are sporty and come in attractive colors that can make a vehicle look more streamlined, sporty and sometimes more expensive than it actually is. Even a basic black rubber rear bumper guard can make a vehicle look better.