Alyssa Lane
Scratch and dent insurance, also known as cosmetic car insurance, is a specialist insurance policy that covers cosmetic damage to your car. While minor, this type of damage can be expensive to repair, especially for valuable cars. This insurance is often offered by dealerships when buying a new car, but it can also be purchased later from specialist brokers. It is not a legal requirement, but it can be useful if you want to keep your car in pristine condition. However, it's important to note that there are many exclusions to what is covered, and there may be limits to the number of claims and the size of the scratches or dents covered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Protects against the cost of minor cosmetic repairs to the bodywork of your car for a set period |
| Cost | Fairly cheap, less than £10 a month or £200 a year |
| Excess | Much lower than standard car insurance, ranging from nothing to £50 |
| Advantages | Protects your no-claims bonus, keeps your car in good condition, and is useful for repairing minor damage |
| Disadvantages | Many exclusions, including type of damage, cause of damage, and type of vehicle |
| Alternative | Pay for repairs privately as needed |
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What You'll Learn
Scratch and dent insurance is cheap
Scratch and dent insurance is a specialist insurance policy that covers cosmetic damage to your car. While minor, this kind of damage can be very expensive to repair, especially if you own a more valuable car. Cosmetic car insurance may be worthwhile if it's important for you to keep your car in good condition.
Scratch and dent insurance is fairly cheap. Cosmetic car insurance can cost less than £10 a month. This kind of insurance also has its advantages. Claims you make for minor bodywork damage under this kind of policy won’t affect your no-claims bonus on your main insurance policy. So, if you want to protect your car’s paint and bodywork while also protecting your no-claims bonus, scratch-and-dent insurance can help.
Scratch and dent insurance often has a much lower excess – which can range from nothing to £50 – which makes it far more useful for repairing minor damage. For example, a car park car door ding or supermarket trolley ding is likely to be an £80-£100 repair. This type of insurance can be purchased for an average of about £200 a year per policy and up to 3 callouts per year.
However, there are lots of items that are not covered by scratch and dent insurance, so it is worth reading any policy’s terms carefully before signing up to anything. Repairs to cracked or deformed bumpers are not covered, nor are headlamps, other lights, windscreens or wheels. Any damage that came about as a result of a road accident won’t make the cut, and don’t even think about claiming against damaged tyres, wheel trims, locks or handles. If your car was scratched during a theft or attempted theft, that doesn’t count either, although some insurers do allow repairs to so-called ‘keying’ vandalism.
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It's not a legal requirement
Scratch and dent insurance is not a legal requirement. While it is often offered when buying a new car from a dealer, it is not mandatory to purchase it. Car salespeople may try to persuade you to buy it because they earn a commission from the sale, but the decision is ultimately up to you.
There are some benefits to having scratch and dent insurance. It can protect your car's bodywork and keep it looking as good as new. It also allows you to get minor dents, dings, and scratches fixed without claiming on your main car insurance policy. Scratch and dent insurance usually has a lower excess, ranging from nothing to £50, making it more cost-effective for minor repairs. Additionally, claims made under this type of policy won't affect your no-claims bonus on your main insurance.
However, there are also drawbacks to consider. Scratch and dent insurance has limitations on the type and extent of damage covered. Repairs to cracked or deformed bumpers, headlamps, lights, windscreens, and wheels are typically excluded. Damage resulting from road accidents or theft is also generally not covered. Policies may also have restrictions on the size of the scratch or dent, with some insurers only covering scratches up to 15-20 cm or 30 cm in length. It's important to carefully read the terms and conditions of any policy before purchasing.
Furthermore, scratch and dent insurance may not always be the most cost-effective option. The cost of the insurance, along with any excess and limitations on the number of claims, may outweigh the cost of simply paying for minor repairs out of pocket. It's important to consider your own circumstances and decide if the peace of mind of having scratch and dent insurance is worth the additional expense.
Ultimately, while it's not a legal requirement, scratch and dent insurance can provide some benefits for those who want to maintain the pristine condition of their vehicle. However, it's important to weigh the advantages against the potential drawbacks and make an informed decision based on your individual needs and preferences.
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It may not cover significant damage
Scratch and dent insurance, also known as cosmetic insurance, is a specialist insurance policy that covers cosmetic damage to your car. While minor, this kind of damage can be very expensive to repair, especially if you own a more valuable car. Cosmetic car insurance may be worthwhile if it’s important for you to keep your car in good condition. However, it may not cover significant damage.
Scratch and dent insurance policies often have limitations on the kind of damage they will cover. For example, they may refuse to pay out for scratches and dents above a particular size, with 15-20cm being the maximum allowed by some insurers. Additionally, insurance companies often won't cover broken bumpers, and damage to headlamps, lights, windscreens, or wheels may also be excluded from coverage.
It's important to note that scratch and dent insurance is not designed to cover major panel damage, such as that caused by a crash. Any damage resulting from a road accident is typically not covered. Furthermore, if your car was scratched during a theft or attempted theft, this may not be covered either, although some insurers do allow repairs for “keying” vandalism.
The cost of scratch and dent insurance should also be considered. While it is fairly cheap, with policies costing less than £10 a month on average, the cumulative cost over time can be significant. Additionally, there may be limitations on the number of claims you can make each year, with some policies allowing up to three claims or a maximum value of £1,000.
In conclusion, while scratch and dent insurance can provide peace of mind for keeping your car in good condition, it may not cover significant damage. It is important to carefully review the terms and limitations of any policy before purchasing scratch and dent insurance to ensure it aligns with your needs and expectations.
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It can protect your no-claims bonus
Scratch and dent insurance, also known as cosmetic insurance, is a specialist insurance policy that covers cosmetic damage to your car. This type of insurance is particularly useful if you want to protect your no-claims bonus.
When you make a claim for minor bodywork damage under your standard car insurance policy, it can affect your no-claims bonus. However, with scratch and dent insurance, you can make a claim without losing your no-claims bonus. This is because scratch and dent insurance is a separate policy from your main car insurance. By having this separate policy, you can avoid claiming on your main insurance, which helps to keep your premiums low and protect your no-claims bonus.
Additionally, scratch and dent insurance often has a lower excess than standard car insurance. Excess is the amount you must pay towards a claim. A lower excess means that you will pay less out of pocket for repairs. For example, a standard car insurance policy might have an excess of £300 or more, while scratch and dent insurance may have an excess of only £50 or even nothing. This makes scratch and dent insurance a more cost-effective option for repairing minor damage.
It's important to note that scratch and dent insurance has its limitations. Policies may refuse to pay out for scratches and dents above a certain size, and certain types of damage, such as broken bumpers or damage from a road accident, are typically not covered. It's also worth mentioning that scratch and dent insurance is not a legal requirement, and it's up to you to decide if the benefits outweigh the cost.
When considering scratch and dent insurance, it's essential to read the policy terms carefully. Understand the limitations of the coverage, including any size restrictions on scratches and dents, and be aware of any exclusions. By understanding the terms and conditions, you can make an informed decision about whether this type of insurance is worth it for you, especially if protecting your no-claims bonus is a priority.
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It's often offered when buying a new car
Scratch and dent insurance is often offered when buying a new car, either as part of the deal or for an extra charge. It is a specialist insurance policy that covers cosmetic damage to your car. While minor, this kind of damage can be very expensive to repair, especially if you own a more valuable car.
There are several advantages to this type of insurance. Firstly, it can protect your no-claims bonus on your main insurance policy, as claims for minor bodywork damage under a scratch and dent policy won't affect your no-claims bonus. Secondly, it often has a lower excess than standard car insurance, which can range from nothing to £50, making it more useful for repairing minor damage. Finally, it can be fairly cheap, costing less than £10 a month or an average of about £200 a year per policy.
However, there are also some disadvantages to scratch and dent insurance. Policies often have limitations on the kind of damage they will cover, such as refusing to pay out for scratches and dents above a particular size or those that occur across multiple panels. Additionally, there may be exclusions for certain types of damage, such as cracked or deformed bumpers, headlamps, lights, windscreens, or wheels. Damage resulting from a road accident or theft is also typically not covered. It's important to carefully read the policy's terms before signing up.
Ultimately, the decision to purchase scratch and dent insurance depends on individual preferences and circumstances. Some people may find it worthwhile if they want to keep their car in pristine condition, while others may consider the cost unnecessary and choose to pay for minor repairs out of pocket as needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Scratch and dent insurance, also known as cosmetic repair insurance, is a separate insurance policy with lower excesses that covers minor cosmetic repairs to the bodywork of your car for a set period.
Scratch and dent insurance isn't a legal requirement, and it doesn't make financial sense for many people. However, if you're fussy about the appearance of your car, you might want to consider it.
Scratch and dent insurance covers minor cosmetic repairs to the bodywork of your car. It doesn't cover major panel damage, broken bumpers, headlights, other lights, windscreens, or wheels. It also doesn't cover damage that occurred during a road accident or damage to tyres, wheel trims, locks, or handles.
Scratch and dent insurance allows you to get minor repairs fixed without claiming on your main car insurance policy. It often involves a mobile repair company that can come to your house and fix the issue on the spot.
The cost of scratch and dent insurance can vary depending on the provider and the length of coverage. It is typically offered for one, two, or three years. Some policies may also limit the number of claims you can make each year, with a maximum value of £1,000 or three claims.
