Cost of replacing a break light for my car?

Ford explorer 2001 model.
Bumped into a fence and it broke the plastic covering the bulb. Light still comes on and everything is fine, its just that the shell covering broke off. Do I have to contact ford dealership for the part or can I visit some random autoshop to replace it for me? What's the approx. Cost?

The brake light assembly will need to be replace. Ford will charge you $300 to $400 for the assembly unit. However, there are several good quality aftermarket light assemblies that would only cost your around $60 to $80 or so. Brands such as TCY and Tycoon should be considered. You should be able to simply find it on Amazon as well.

The light assembly will be about 100 to 150, and the labor will be about 100.

Try a scrapyard
I presume it's a Ford part so any autoshop would order it from a Ford warehouse (or maybe a scrapyard)

Scope out the following websites for prices: rockauto.com, partstrain.com and autopartswarehouse.com.

Look in your Yellow Pages for junkyard / scrap yard. Call and ask for the make, model, yr and what side of truck you need. Four screws, wire socket / harness pulls / twists out, done.
To buy some time, go to automotive store and get some red duct tape to cover the light for now.

Look for used parts on ebay