Customer Service Lines Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday & Bank Holidays
Please select some policies.
Scratch and Dent and Alloy Wheel Insurance
Combined Scratch, Dent and Alloy Wheel Insurance is designed to cover the costs of small to medium areas of cosmetic damage to your car bodywork and alloy wheels. Bumper scuffs, trolley dings, key scratches and kerb scuffs are typical of the types of damage that can be covered by this type of insurance.
Why buy Scratch and Dent Insurance?
Cosmetic damage to your car is both annoying and unsightly. Bumper scuffs, trolley dings, key scratches and stone chips are all relatively small types of damage that are very easy to suffer. 
The option to repair these would be either to claim on your comprehensive motor insurance or pay for it from your own funds.
The issue with making a claim on your own motor insurance is that it could impact your no claims discount and claims history. This could increase your annual motor insurance premium.
The issue with paying to repair cosmetic damage to your car out of your own pocket is that could provide you with a bill at an unexpected time that could cause stress to your finances.
The third option is is to take a Scratch and dent insurance policy that can cover the costs of a repair without having to use your own motor insurance companies cover or dipping into your own pocket.
Why buy Alloy Wheel Insurance?
The awful sound of an alloy wheel scrapping along a kerb is something many motorists suffer every day. The outcome of this is normally a nasty graze along the outer edge of your alloy wheel.
Again, only a relatively small area of cosmetic damage can be very obvious, cause you great annoyance and also potentially impact the value of your vehicle. Similarly to Scratch and Dent Insurance, protecting against the costs of alloy wheel repairs means you do not have to claim on your own motor insurance, nor do you have to dip into your own pocket to get the repairs done.
Why Scratch and Dent and Alloy Wheel cover together?
The truth is that Scratch and Dent Insurance and Alloy Wheel cover are both forms of cosmetic repair insurance for your car. Therefore they are closely related and people looking to protect and look after the bodywork for their cars are also likely to be looking to protect their alloy wheels as well.
By combining these forms of cosmetic repair insurance products you will often find that it is a cheaper overall premium price than if you buy the cosmetic repair products separately. This provides better value to you for the risk you are looking to cover.
Key features of Combined Alloy Wheel and Scratch and Dent Insurance from GapInsurance123
Scratch and Dent Insurance element
-
Up to 10 Scratch and Dent claims over the policy term
-
A maximum aggregate repair cost of £2,500 for all cosmetic bodywork claims
-
Cover for areas of damage up to 300mm for scratches.
-
Up to £250 for a single-panel SMART repair
-
Up to £450 for a two-panel SMART repair
-
If a SMART repair is not possible then a contribution of up to £250 can be claimed towards a body shop repair*
-
NO EXCESS PER CLAIM
-
NO WAITING PERIOD if you buy your policy before you take delivery of your car.
Alloy Wheel Insurance element 
-
Up to 10 claims for the policy term
-
Up to a maximum aggregate repair cost of £1,500 for all alloy wheel claims
-
Up to £150 per alloy wheel repair cost
-
Diamond and laser cut alloys covered
-
If a cosmetic repair is not possible then a contribution of up to £150 for an alternative repair or alloy wheel replacement can be claimed*
-
NO EXCESS PER CLAIM
-
NO WAITING PERIOD if you buy your policy before you take delivery of your car
What is cosmetic repair insurance?
Cosmetic Repair Insurance is something you can buy to protect you against the repair costs of small areas of cosmetic damage to your car.
This could include:
-
A scuff on your alloy wheel
-
A trolley ding in the side of your car
-
A stone chip on the wing of the car
-
A key scratch on the door of your car
Cosmetic Repair Insurance is not designed to cover damage that would need to go to a body shop to repair, such as
-
A crease in the wing that requires the panel to be replaced and painted.
-
A large scratch across the width of the bonnet
-
A large dent in the rear 1/4 panel of the car
-
Any damage on the roof of the car
Please also note that Cosmetic Repair Insurance can also be known by several other names, all of which may broadly provide the same type of cover. You should check the policy term and features to compare what is provided. Rarely are two policies the same.
Other names for Cosmetic Repair Insurance include:
-
Scratch and Dent Insurance
-
SMART Insurance
-
Ding and Dent Insurance
-
Cosmetic Repair Insurance
-
Minor Damage Insurance
-
Car Scratch Insurance
-
Cosmetic Car Insurance
-
Minor Cosmetic Damage Insurance
-
Car Cosmetic Cover
What is a SMART repair?
SMART stands for Small and Medium Area Repair Technology. It is an anacronym often used to describe repair techniques used by mobile repairs for dents, scuffs, scrapes and grazes. 
The methods are used by mobile repairers utilise specialist tools and materials that means localised repairs can be made without having to remove or replace car panels. It also removes the need to go to a body shop, where costs can be relatively much higher for similar damage.
SMART repairs are often undertaken by nationwide franchised specialists that allow for professional, consistent and guaranteed cosmetic repairs to be made.
What is needed for a SMART repair to be done?
As a SMART repairer will come to you, your home or place of work, the key requirement for the repair to take place is a SAFE PLACE to do it. This means a driveway, an off road parking place or a works car park, for example. For health and safety reasons the SMART repairers cannot perform a repair at the side of the road.
Another important requirement for a SMART repairer is that you can provide access to a power supply, in case they need to use power tools as part of the repair process.
Finally, as the repair is being done outside, the weather can play a role in weather a repair can be done. Many SMART repairs will involve a protective tent being put up to prevent the wind carrying debris that may contaminate any paintwork being sprayed.
That all said, if severe weather is due, like high winds, snow or rain, then the SMART repairer may well rebook your repair slot with you.
Major exclusions for Scratch & Dent and Alloy Wheel protection with GapInsurance123
Here we highlight some of the significant exclusions for the policy we provide. However, this is not an exhaustive list. Please refer to the full policy terms and conditions and if you have any further queries please get in contact with us.
Key Exclusions for the Scratch and Dent Insurance element 
-
Any damage to the roof on the car.
-
Damage that extends beyond 300mm in length
-
Damage that results in cracked or broken bodywork parts or panels
-
Damage to glass work, like door mirrors
-
Damage that extends beyond two body panels
-
Cracked bumpers or bodywork
-
More than 10 claims for Scratch and Dent in the policy term
-
Claims costs exceeding an aggregate claim limit of £2500 during the policy term for scratch and dent repairs.
-
A custom paint finish that is not manufacturers standard specification
-
Commercial vehicles (vans, trucks, HGV's) are excluded. Only passenger cars can be covered.
Key Exclusions for Alloy Wheel cover element
-
Alloys of chrome effect finish
-
Alloys of split rim construction
-
Alloys that are NOT manufacturers original specification (e.g. after market alloys)
-
More than 10 claims for alloy wheel repairs during the policy term
-
Claims costs exceeding an aggregate claim limit of £1500 during the policy term for alloy wheel repairs/replacements
-
A custom paint finish that is not manufacturers standard specification
-
Any alloy wheels on commercial vehicles (only passenger cars can be covered)
How to make a claim
If you need to make a claim on your Scratch and Dent Insurance or Alloy Wheel cover on the policy then please follow this procedure.
-
Take photographs of the minor bodywork damage or ally wheel damage. A mobile phone will be ideal for this. Please try to ensure that the area is as dry and clean as possible, so the damage can be assessed by the claims team.
-
Contact the claims team (Lexelle) directly within 30 days of the damage occurring. You can contact them by either:
Call us on: 0161 393 9902, or
Email us at: [email protected], or
Write to: Lexelle Limited, PO Box 4428, Sheffield, S9 9DD
Lexelle will assess your claim and appoint an approved repairer as necessary. The repairer will make an appointment to attend, or Lexelle will discuss the contribution options if your qualifying claim is not suitable for a mobile repair.
More FAQs 
Can my motor insurance cover me for cosmetic repairs to my car?
It could, but there may be a number of reasons why you may want to avoid making a claim on your own motor insurance for small, cosmetic areas of damage.
Firstly, making a claim on your motor insurance can impact your claim history, future no claims bonus and lead to an increase in your annual motor insurance policy premiums. You can protect your no claims bonus, and therefore keep down annual motoring costs by looking at alternative ways to cover minor body repair costs.
Secondly, you may have to pay a motor insurance excess on any claim that you make. A cosmetic insurance policy for minor repairs, with no excess to pay like the one offered on GapInsurance123 currently, could save you on your motor insurance companies excess costs.
Not having to claim on your car insurance for a minor cosmetic repair could help keep your overall insurance costs down by protecting your claim record with your motor insurer.
Can I transfer the Alloy Wheel, Scratch and Dent cover I buy through GapInsurance123?
If you change your car part way through your Scratch & Dent and Alloy Wheel policy with GapInsurance123 then there is no option to transfer the balance of cover to your next eligible vehicle. Instead you would need to take out a new policy for your replacement vehicle.
Can I cancel and get a refund with the Alloy Wheel, Scratch and Dent cover I buy through GapInsurance123?
Within the cooling off period of the policy (14 days, as displayed in your policy documents) you are entitled to a full refund as long as no claims have been made.
Outside the cooling off period, our insurers will allow a pro-rata refund of the time left on cover, less a £35 cancellation fee retained from the refund.
A refund is only provided when no valid claim or claims have been made on the policy. Where a claim has been made then no refund is due.
How am I protected?
Aequitas Automotive Ltd, a UK-based insurance broker, trading as GapInsurance123.co.uk is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 821163).
The policy is underwritten by Financial & Legal Insurance Company Ltd, a UK-based insurer authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
The policy is also covered by the Financial Ombudsmen Service and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme in the UK.
Is the Alloy Wheel, Scratch and Dent Insurance from GapInsurance123 the same as the cover offered by my motor dealer? 
Motor dealers often offer a range of additional products when you buy a car, including:
-
motor warranty
-
Gap Insurance policies
-
Scratch and dent insurance cover
-
tyre insurance
-
paint and fabric protection
You can often find alternative cover by looking online. These often give you savings in insurance premium tax as well as lower commission rates taken by the retailer.
The products also may differ in what they can provide for you. The Alloy Wheel and Scratch and dent insurance policy from GapInsurance123 may have a completely different set of policy features than the one offered by the dealer. It is important, therefore, to compare features as well as the premium price, to ensure you get the best value for money possible.
Need Some Help?
HELP CENTRE
We are here to help! Search our help centre for any questions you may have.
Easy straight forward and good value.
Really easy to understand, good value, simple to set up
Very impressed with the help I received over the phone from **** explained my options very clearly and guided me through the process of applying for cover. I've used GapInsurance123 before and am very happy to do so again!
Nice and easy
Amazing & easy
Always easy to do business with and staff are very helpful and efficient
Thank you Jackie for your help. Highly appreciated for great service...!
Quick simple process, appreciate note about 12 month vehicle replacement may be covered on my insurance already, it was.
I called to clarify a couple of things before purchasing and spoke to a lady called Jackie, very pleasant and extremely helpful. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend GAP 123.
Great service, very friendly call handler
easy site to used very pleased with price
VERY EASY TO USE AND COMPLETE. EXCELLANT PRICE HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Very quick an easy, but the only slight disappointment is that is no where to get your existing customer discount on the web site. You have to phone for that and if you need the cover to start at the weekend you miss out. Shame.
good
Really easy to understand and follow.
.jpg)