And darn, just put on a newly painted trunk lid on a week eariler. Not a fun job, not a fun job...

Anyway, I think this is more of a bumper crash with a little contact on the trunk lid. I have not seen the car yet. What should I check for in the bumper area? Are the bumper shocks good for multiple cycles? I had put in a new tranny mount and was going to replace the engine mounts. I’ll check those for tears or separation.
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Tom F. Couple of Volvos Mods, RainX & cup holders.

Sustained a low speed rear ender with my (now deceased) '91 944. What a mess! The body did what it was designed to do and began to collapse resulting in a noticable bulge at the driver side rear pillar, The door would not seal. After numerous trips to the body shop and extensive pulls on the frame straightener nothing else could be done, it would not go back. It was drivable but I decided to unload it since it had already absorbed an impact and would be unable to absorb as much energy in another. As has been stated in earlier posts, make sure they go over it with a fine toothed comb. If the bumper was able to absorb everything, fine. Otherwise, there may be hidden (or not so hidden) damage in some of the crush zones.
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Bob Kraushaar '94 945T, '88 240, '84 242Ti, '94 F-150, '88 300 TE, '89 560 SL, '68 Shelby GT-500 KR

Got rear-ended in our 83 240 once and just to add a bit to Chris H's comments:

...the insurance appraiser lifted trunk carpets/all panels and showed me where the paint was cracked/crazed in a couple of spots which indicated that the metal there had been "flexed". So he included a $ amount for the shop to pull that back into alignment as needed.

He also got under the bumper and pointed out that there are indicator strips of something like masking tape on the bumper shocks, and since these were peeled back, it showed that the shocks had compressed to a point that they needed replacement - whether or not the bumper still hung straight. Was he blowing smoke? Wouldn't think so - supposedly his job is to keep claim$ to a minimum.
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Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F, dtr's 83-244DL B23F, 'my' 94-944 B230FD; plus grocery-getter Dodge minivan, hobbycar 77 MGB, and numerous old motorcycles)

If it was a direct bumper hit, check the cover itself obviously, then the bumper alignment. If the bumper is sitting at proper alignment, the bumper shocks should be fine.

Next step, open both back doors and make sure they both close the same way again. Check gaps, wheel well shape and C-pillar where it meets the trunk.

Then pull back the carpet in the trunk and see if either of the frame rails are bent.

If you are not in a no-fault state, a body shop inspection should be covered by the other person's insurance anyway. I'd let a shop handle it especially with a rear end collision. It can hide more damage than a front end collision, since there are many more reference points (easy reference points) in the front of the car.

I used to work in a body shop, which is why this is fairly second nature.

Dear Chris,

Good p.m. and may this find you well. Might I suggest that you submit for inclusion in the FAQs, your insights into checking for damaged after a rear-end collisio?

Many of your pointers would not be obvious. I'm sure none of them is covered in a Tech Manual (except that entitled: Volvo Experience).

Yours faithfully,

spook

The driver has GEICO and they said to bring it into a Ford dealership, at an appointed time. I may have to pay out of pocket of a second opinion. Thanks for the advice.
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Tom F. Couple of Volvos Mods, RainX & cup holders.