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Scratch and Dent Insurance

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What is Scratch and Dent Insurance?

What is a SMART Repair?

What is Scratch and Dent Insurance?

Worried about taking your car to a busy car park and leaving it at the mercy of other drivers?

Cars are bigger, parking spaces are not; wayward trollies and hidden bollards – these can all mean that your car might not stay as pristine as it was when you left it.

The ALA Scratch and Dent policy covers the SMART repair of minor cosmetic damage to the bodywork of your car, taking care of those little bumps and scratches that can be annoying and costly.

We have the option of 1, 2, 3 or 4 year stand-alone policies depending on what you decide, which is just a one-off payment. Or if you decide to add this onto one of our GAP insurance policies, you can bundle them together and pay monthly.

What is a SMART Repair?

A SMART repair (meaning Small to Medium Area Repair Technique) is an alternative to a body shop repair where there is cosmetic damage to your car.

Our approved repairers will send a qualified technician to your home or work* where they will match the specific paint colour of your car and carry out an expert restoration.

*There must be an off-road area, such as a driveway, for the technician to complete the work safely. In some cases it may not be possible to send a repairer out and you may have to go to the nearest approved repair centre.

Can I buy Scratch and Dent Insurance?

Can I buy Scratch and Dent Insurance?

You can purchase ALA Scratch and Dent insurance if your car:

Is a right hand drive vehicle and has been purchased within the last 30 days.

Is less than 7 years old

Is not owned by a motor dealer or trader.

Is not used for hire/reward/dispatch/courier work, vehicles used for driving instruction, vehicles with a carrying capacity exceeding 3500kg, heavy goods vehicles, service vehicles (e.g. police and ambulance), taxis & chauffeur vehicles, buses, motorcycles/scooters, or used for road racing, track day participation, rallying, pace making, speed testing or other competitive events.

Scratch and Dent Insurance Features:

All minor damage repairs carried out by Revive UK and other reputable repairers.

Highly rated underwriter Financial & Legal Insurance Company Limited.

You can select 2 or 4 claims per year, with each claim covered up to £500.

No excess.

Can be bought as a standalone policy.

Repairs damage to the bonnet, boot lid, tailgate or other horizontal surface if a SMART repair is achievable

Paint chips covering an area less than 300mm in diameter and 3mm in depth

Dents – no limit on the dent depth providing the dent can be removed using cosmetic/smart repair

Scratches less than 300mm in length and 3mm in depth.

Paint scuffs less than 300mm in diameter and 3mm in depth.

Cover Explained

Cover Explained

The policy provides cover for scratches, dents, paint chips and paint scuffs to a maximum of two adjacent body panels.

The maximum size of any scratch, dent, paint chip or scuff which is 300mm (or 30cm)  in length and/or diameter.

Policy Documents

Scratch & Dent IPID Scratch & Dent Policy Wording

What is not covered?

Any minor damage which is not reported within 30 days of the incident date.

Any vehicle more than 7 years of age at the start of the policy.

Damage that is not repairable by a SMART repair, is beyond minor cosmetic damage or because of the extent or number of areas of damage, a bodyshop repair is required.

Where the body panel, bumper or wing mirror is ripped, perforated, cracked or torn or there is damage to the structure and/or alignment

Damage to the locks or handles, beading, mouldings, lamps, window panels, tyres, wheels or wheel trims

Any amount in excess of the maximum limits shown in the policy schedule or terms and conditions

Any damage that is the subject of a motor insurance claim

Any claim relating to a road traffic accident or as a result of fire, theft or flood

Any damage that has been accumulated over an extended period, which is deemed to be wear and tear

Any damage showing evidence of rust or corrosion

Any damage the occurs within 14 days of the policy start date

The vehicle must not have a specialist bodywork finish, including self-healing, chrome illusion, matte or textured finish or bodywork wrap.

NOT Covered

NOT Covered

Red Cross   Repairs to cracked or deformed bumpers

   Headlamps, lights, glass and wheels

Red Cross   Damages as a result of a motor vehicle accident

How does the policy work?

When you purchase ALA Scratch and Dent insurance the underwriters will ask you to provide electronic images of the vehicle.

These must be provided before the 14 day waiting period ends or you will not be able to claim and your policy may be cancelled.

If you need to use your Scratch and Dent policy, please contact our claims team as soon as you become aware of an incident that has resulted in damage.
Please visit our claims page to see the correct claims procedure for you based on underwriter.

You will be required to provide photographs of the damage, so please make sure the images are clear and in good light.

If you need to make a claim and are paying by monthly direct debit, you will need to pay the full outstanding balance of the premium.

Scratch and Dent Insurance FAQ

What does the policy cover?

This policy covers the cost of a SMART repair of minor body damage to your car including paint chips, scuffs, scratches and dents.

Is my policy protected?

Yes it is, this policy is underwritten by Financial and Legal Insurance Company Limited who is authorised and regulated by the FCA – Reference 202915.

How long does the policy cover me for?

We offer 1, 2, 3 or 4 year Scratch & Dent policies – so depending on which one you have chosen; the cover will last until the end of the policy.

Is there a claim limit on the policy?

When you come to seclecting your cover you can choose between the option of 2 or 4 claims per year – there is a maximum limit of £500 per claim.

How long do I have to make a claim?

Claims must be reported within 30 days of the damage occurring, but we recommend getting in touch as soon as possible. Please visit our claims page for more info on claims.

Where do I get my car repaired under this policy?

If you need to make a claim, please contact the correct claims team dependent on the policy you bought with us. Visit our claims page for more info and the claims admin will then arrange a SMART Repair technician to repair your vehicle.

What type of repair is carried out?

The policy provides SMART repair to your vehicle with repairs carried out by reputable technicians from repair company’s such as Revive UK.

What is the claims process?

All claims must be authorised by the claims teams. For all claims information, please visit our claims information.

What if the damage occurs when the office is closed?

You would contact the claims administrator as soon as they re-open to follow the claims process above.

If I change my vehicle can I amend my policy?

This policy cannot be transferred to another vehicle but If you cancel after 14 days and have not made a successful claim on your policy, you will be entitled to a pro rata refund, based on the number of fully unexpired months remaining on your policy.

Is there an Excess to pay?

No, there is no excess to pay.

Is the policy available for any vehicle?

Unfortunately, there are some vehicles we cannot cover, including: vehicles used for hire/reward/dispatch/courier work, vehicles used for driving instruction, vehicles with a carrying capacity exceeding 3500kg, heavy goods vehicles, service vehicles (eg. police and ambulance), taxis & chauffeur vehicles, buses, motorcycles/scooters, or used for road racing, track day participation, rallying, pace making, speed testing or other competitive events.

Does this policy cover me overseas?

This policy can only cover damage within territorial limits – The United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland).

Is the premium quoted an annual amount?

You can select a 1, 2, 3 or 4 year term of cover and the premium quoted is for that entire term. Please bear in mind that if the maximum number of claims permitted are made before the end of the cover, the policy will end and a new policy will need to be purchased.

The premium includes Insurance Premium Tax. If you choose to pay by debit card, credit card, Apple Pay or PayPal there will be no surcharges involved for the transaction.

Alternatively, when purchased with a GAP policy, you can choose to pay by Direct Debit over 10 months, however this will incur an interest charge (details available when you get a quote with us online, or over the phone.)

Does the policy cover pre-existing damage?

Unfortunately, we cannot cover an incident or damage which has occurred prior to the policy being purchased.