What do you mean by this?: I don't want to tell my insurance company just b/c they already took my firstborn away.

First child or car?

If you have full coverage on the car, I would honestly throw down the deductable and take whatever the insurance place is going to charge you because of the accident and have that shiat fixed by the insurance. I mean 3k is a hefty amount to pull right out of your ass.

Otherwise, if you don't want to report it to insurance, fix it and be on your merry way. BUT if you plan on selling it in the future, you will have to say that this car has been in an accident and no insurance was involved.....then you'll end up with a ass load more shit to deal with.