I believe if you order out of the group buy you should be able to get yours quicker just have to pay the regular price, but give them a call to make sure.
Well I know someone that hit a deer and it saved them money from possibly having to repair/replace the grill, radiator, headlights. But yes it adds protection to the front area. Also I had searched before I bought mine last year and saw several pictures of crashes and the bumpers and the hoops...
I called them up and I actually bought my front bumper in a group buy last summer. They said earlier today it would be about 3-4 months once they know what the orders would be. Mine was ordered in April 18th 2015 and I received it July 16th 2015. Mine shipped quicker then most on the last group...