If an accident was your fault, then you will have to pay for your own damage using your own funds. This will mean turning to your personal car insurance. Still, your personal policy will only pay if it contains collision insurance. This coverage is not mandatory in most states, though if you finance your car, you might have to buy it.  

You will likely have to pay a deductible before your policy will pay for collision claims. So, if you have a $500 deductible, and a fender bender causes $2,000 in damage, then you pay the first $500 for repairs. Your insurer will cover the remaining $1,500.  

Since many fender benders cause only minor damage, there is a chance the damage cost will fall below your deductible value. In this case, your insurer won’t pay for your repairs at all.  

When the fender bender is not your fault, then you will likely qualify to file on the property damage liability insurance of the at-fault driver. By filing on someone’s liability policy, you won't have to use your collision insurance. You will receive compensation for damage costs without a deductible applying. 

If an at-fault driver does not have liability insurance, your own policy might pay. If you choose to buy uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, then your own car insurance can make up the difference if an at-fault driver lacks the liability insurance to pay you.