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Smart Care Insurance: Scratch and Dent Insurance & Alloy Wheel Insurance

 

Smart Care Insurance is a policy that combines  

  • Scratch, Dent Insurance
  • Alloy Wheel Insurance

 

Instead of having to buy three separate policies, you can buy one. Smart Care 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.

 

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Why buy Scratch and Dent Insurance?

 

Cosmetic damage to your car is both annoying and unsightly it can also affect your part exchange price when you come to buy a new car. Bumper scuffs, trolley dings, key scratches and stone chips are all relatively small types of damage that are very easy to suffer.  

 

  • You could either claim it on your comprehensive motor insurance or pay for it with your funds. However, the issue with making a claim on your 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 you could receive a bill at an unexpected time, which could stress your finances.
  • The third option is to take a Smart Care Scratch and Dent insurance policy, which can cover the costs of a repair without having to use your own motor insurance company coverage or pay out of pocket.

 

Why buy Alloy Wheel Insurance?

 

The awful sound of an alloy wheel scrapping along a kerb is something many motorists suffer daily. The outcome of this is usually 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 great annoyance, and potentially impact the value of your vehicle. It could even be a safety issue, as if water penetrates the wheel, it can cause corrosion, which can affect the integrity of the wheel itself. Similarly to Scratch and Dent Insurance, protecting against the costs of alloy wheel repairs means you do not have to claim via your own motor insurance, nor do you have to dip into your own pocket to get the repairs done.

 

Why Should you Buy Scratch and Dent Insurance and Alloy Wheel Insurance cover together?

 

The truth is that Scratch and Dent Insurance and Alloy Wheel Insurance are both forms of cosmetic repair insurance for your car. Therefore, they are closely related, and people looking to protect and care for their cars' bodywork also often see the benefit in protecting their alloy wheels.

 

Combining these forms of cosmetic repair insurance often results in a cheaper overall premium price than buying them separately. This provides better value for the risk you are looking to cover.

 

Key features of Smart Care Alloy Wheel and Scratch and Dent Insurance from GapInsurance123

 

Scratch and Dent Insurance element

 

  • Up to 6 Scratch and Dent Insurance claims per year

  • Cover for areas of damage up to 300mm for scratches.

  • If a mobile repair is not possible and the damage falls within the scope of your policy, you can claim up to £250 for a single-panel SMART repair.

  • If a mobile repair is not possible and the damage falls within the scope of your policy, you can claim up to £450 for a two-panel SMART repair.

  • When you make a scratch and dent claim, there is no excess to pay.

  • There is no waiting period if you buy a brand new car and buy your policy before you take collection/delivery of your vehicle.*

 

* If you have bought/leased a used or pre-registered car, there is a 30-day waiting period during which you can not make a scratch and dent claim, and your policy will not cover any damage caused during that time.

 

Alloy Wheel Insurance element        

 

  • Up to 5  claims per year.

  • Cover for Diamond cut alloy wheels

  • Cover for laser cut alloys 

  • Cover for painted alloy wheels

  • If a cosmetic repair is not possible, you can nominate a local repair and claim up to £250 per repair.

  • If your wheel is not cosmetically repairable, you can claim up to £150 as a goodwill gesture.

  • When you make an alloy wheel claim, there is no excess to pay.

  • There is no waiting period if you buy a brand new car and buy your policy before you take collection/delivery of your vehicle.*

 

* If you have bought/leased a used or pre-registered car, there is a 30-day waiting period during which you can not make an alloy wheel insurance claim, and your policy will not cover any damage caused during that time.

 

Full a full list of terms and conditions, please see your policy documents

Smart Care Insurance Terms and ConditionsSmart Care Terms and Conditions       Smart Care Insurance IPIDSSmart Care IPIDS

 

What is cosmetic repair insurance?

 

A Cosmetic Repair is classed as damage which can be repaired as a mobile / smart  repair ( spot repair ) 

 

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

 

A Smart Care Insurance is not designed to cover damage that would need to go to a specialist for a body shop repair, such as

  • A crease in the wing 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

  • Dent Insurance

 

What is a SMART repair?

 

SMART stands for Small and Medium Area Repair Technology. It is an acronym often used to describe mobile repair techniques for dents, scuffs, scrapes and grazes.  

 

Mobile repairers use specialist tools and materials to make localised repairs without having to remove or replace car panels. This 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, and they allow for professional, consistent, and guaranteed cosmetic repairs.

 

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, SMART repairers cannot perform repairs on 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 during the repair process.

 

Finally, as the repair is being done outside, the weather can determine whether it can be done. Many SMART repairs will involve putting up a protective tent to prevent the wind from carrying debris that may contaminate any paintwork being sprayed.

 

That said, if severe weather is due, like high winds, snow, or rain, the SMART repairer may well rebook your repair slot with you.

 

Significant exclusions for Smart Care: Scratch & Dent and Alloy Wheel Insurance with GapInsurance123

 

Here, we highlight some of our policy's significant exclusions. However, this is not an exhaustive list. Please refer to the full policy terms and conditions, and if you have any further queries, please contact us.

 

Critical Exclusions for the Scratch and Dent Insurance Element  of Your Policy

  • Any damage to the roof of your car.

  • Damage that extends beyond 300mm in length

  • Damage that results in cracked or broken bodywork parts or panels

  • Damage to glass, for example, door mirrors or windscreens

  • Damage that extends beyond two body panels

  • Cracked bumpers or bodywork

  • A custom paint finish that is not the manufacturer's standard specification

  • Commercial vehicles (vans, trucks, HGVs) are excluded. Only passenger cars can be covered.

 

Key Exclusions for Alloy Wheel Insurance Element of Your Policy 

  • Alloys of chrome effect finish

  • Alloys of split rim construction

  • Alloys that are NOT the manufacturer's original specification (e.g. aftermarket alloys)

  • 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 the manufacturer's standard specification

  • Any alloy wheels on commercial vehicles (only passenger cars can be covered)

 

How to make a claim

 

Please follow this procedure if you need to claim on your Smart Care: Scratch and Dent Insurance or Alloy Wheel cover on the policy.

  1. Take photographs of the minor bodywork or alloy wheel damage. A mobile phone will be ideal for this. Please ensure the area is as dry and clean as possible so the claims team can assess the damage.

  2. Contact the claims team directly within 30 days of the damage occurring. 

  3. You can call the claims team on 0345 040 5975 or email them at [email protected]

 

 

More FAQs            

 

Can my fully comprehensive motor policy cover me for cosmetic repairs to my car?

 

It could, but there may be several reasons why you should avoid making a claim on your own fully comprehensive motor policy for small, cosmetic areas of damage.

 

  • Firstly, making a claim on your motor insurance can impact your claim history and future no-claims bonus and increase your annual motor insurance policy premiums. You can protect your no-claims bonus and 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 you make. A cosmetic insurance policy for minor repairs, with no excess to pay like the one offered on GapInsurance123, could save you on your motor insurance company's 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 Smart Care: Alloy Wheel, Scratch and Dent Insurance if I buy a policy from GapInsurance123?

 

If you change your car partway through your Scratch & Dent and Alloy Wheel policy with GapInsurance123, you cannot 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 for the Smart care: Alloy Wheel, Scratch, and Dent cover I bought through GapInsurance123?

 

  • You are entitled to a full refund if no claims have been made within the policy's cooling-off period (30 days, as displayed in your policy documents).

 

  • Outside the cooling-off period, provided you have not made a claim and have not had the benefit of the policy, our underwriters will allow a pro-rata refund of the time left on cover, less a £35 cancellation fee retained from the refund.

 

 

How am I protected if I buy a Smart Care: Scratch and Dent and alloy wheel insurance policy?

 

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 and lower commission rates taken by the retailer.

 

The products may also differ in what they can provide. 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. Therefore, it is important to compare features as well as the premium price to ensure you get the best value for money possible.