For those who want to keep their vehicle in pristine, showroom-ready condition, a scratch and dent cover policy can help with those unexpected scuffs, especially if you frequently park in a high-traffic area. Often, scratches and dents are not covered under normal car insurance policies, so to ease concerns, scratch and dent policies are the best option to take.
Our guide will explore whether car insurance can cover scratches and dents, whether or not a policy is worth it for certain drivers, and how readers can choose the best scratch and dent insurance for them.
If your car is scratched or dented due to an accident or vandalism, your car insurer will usually pay out, but some drivers choose not to claim for minor damage as it can affect no claims discounts and policy excess. For smaller scuffs, a scratch and dent policy could be more appropriate, as it won’t affect the cost of your car insurance.
There are different factors to consider before making scratch and dent claim on car insurance, such as:
Higher premiums
Loss of no-claims discount
Claims history
Fault vs. No fault claims
Small scratches and dents are relatively easy and cheap, so many drivers tend to not go through their insurance. However, deeper scratches will cost more to repair, which is why a scratch and dent policy is something to consider.
Our scratch and dent policies at ALA are competitively priced and won’t affect your car insurance price or policy. You can purchase a policy from us if you meet the following criteria:
Your car is a right-hand drive
It has been purchased within the last 30 days
The vehicle is less than seven years old
It is not a hire and reward vehicle, such as a taxi, courier or delivery service
You can find out more about car insurance coverage of scratches and dents in our previous guide here.
Many drivers wonder whether purchasing a scratch and dent policy is worth it, since many minor scratches can be sorted easily. However, how much these “quick fixes” actually cost can be surprising for some. A small scratch or dent could cost £100 or more, depending on the severity, location and who you choose to fix it with. Scratch and dent policies can save you money should your car become damaged. You can start building your scratch and dent quote here.
Other benefits include:
Helping maintain your car’s resale value or part-exchange value
Avoiding the need to claim on your main insurance
Quick turnaround time for cosmetic fixes
Coverage for low level damage
Avoiding “fine” or other issues if you need to give your car back to a finance or lease company
You may attempt to fix the damage yourself, but it can be harder than it looks. Light surface scratches and some dents may be easy to fix, but achieving a more professional finish with deeper scratches can be harder. Before attempting to fix the damage yourself, consider:
Purchasing a scratch and dent policy makes sense if you regularly park in busy car parks or on the street, you’d prefer more predictable costs over unexpected repair bills, or you take pride in keeping your car in showroom condition.
You can find out more about whether scratch and dent insurance is worth it in our previous guide here.
When choosing the best scratch and dent policy for your needs, there are various features to consider, including:
Repair limits
Claim allowance
Cost per repair cap
Mobile repair service
Excess fees
Years available
It is also important to determine whether a scratch and dent insurance provider uses qualified technicians; our policies at ALA use SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technique) repair, with technicians who can come to your home or your place of work ,as long as there is an off-road space to work.
You should also identify any limitations that a policy may have. Common limitations include:
Restriction on the size and severity of damage that can be repaired
A cap on the number of claims that can be made within the policy period
No cover for damage caused by accidents and vandalism
Pre-existing damage is usually excluded
Before choosing a scratch and dent insurance provider, try to compare them to other providers. Consider comparing the overall cover vs. cost, flexibility, customer reviews, convenience and policy clarity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to a potential provider; if you’re concerned about issues such as excess fees, what parts of your car are included in the policy and how long you have to report damage, it is better to be safe than sorry.
You can find out more about choosing the best scratch and dent insurance in our previous guide here.
At ALA, our scratch and dent policies are competitively priced, and cover SMART repair of minor cosmetic damage. To start building your scratch and dent policy quote, just let us know the type of vehicle you drive, where you bought or leased the car from, when you bought the vehicle, the vehicle’s age and its mileage. You can choose how many years of cover you need, how many claims you want included per year, and if you want to include any extras such as tyre and alloy wheel insurance.
To find out more about our scratch and dent policies, please get in touch here.
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