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Scratch and Dent Insurance

In association with expert, approved SMART repair teams

 

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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 or 3 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 90 days.

Is listed in Glass’s Guide.

Is less than 7 years old and has covered less than 100,000 miles.

Is not owned by a motor dealer or trader.

Is not an emergency vehicle, commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, taxis, courier vehicles, buses, minibuses, coaches, trucks, motor homes, trailers, heavy goods vehicles, licensed private hire vehicles, daily rental vehicles, breakdown and recovery vehicles.

Any vehicles that have a specialist bodywork finish, including self-healing, chrome illusion, matte or textured finish or bodywork wrap are not covered under this policy.

Any vehicles used for commercial or business use, hire and reward, driving school tuition, chauffeuring, road racing, track days (timed or untimed), rallying, pace-making, speed testing or any other competitive event are also not covered under this policy.

Scratch and Dent Insurance Features:

All minor damage repairs carried out by SMART Repair and other reputable repairers.

£250 towards a bodyshop repair if SMART repair is not possible

Highly rated underwriter Fortegra Europe Insurance Company Ltd UK Branch

Claim up to £3,000 worth of damage whether your policy term is 1, 2 or 3 years. Limit per claim is £250.

No excess to pay on claims

Can be bought as a standalone policy.

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

A minor stone chip, up to 3mm in diameter and 1.5mm in depth

A minor dent to a metal body panel, not exceeding 30cm in diameter

A minor scratch, up to 1.5mm in depth and not exceeding 30cm in length

A scuffed bumper, which is less than 30cm in diameter and less than 3mm in depth

A scratched or scuffed wing mirror cover/casing, where the damage is less than 30cm in diameter and less than 3mm in depth

Cover Explained

Cover Explained

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

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

Policy Documents

Cars up to 1 year old policy wording Cars up to 1 year old IPID Cars over 1 year old policy wording Cars over 1 year old IPID

What is not covered?

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

Any vehicle more than 7 years old or which has covered more than 100,000 miles 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. However we will contribute £250 towards bodyshop repair if SMART repair isn’t possible

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, unless your car is under 90 days old and you are the first owner.

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?

Our underwriters are Fortegra Europe Insurance Company Ltd (UK Branch). We are fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and your policy is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

How long does the policy cover me for?

We offer 1, 2 or 3 year Scratch & Dent policies – so depending on which one you have chosen; the cover will last until the end of the policy. Or after you have made the maximum number of claims, whichever comes first.

Is there a claim limit on the policy?

You can make as many claims as required up the indemnity limit of £3,000.

How many claims can I make under the Scratch and Dent policy?

You can make as many claims as required up the indemnity limit of £3,000.

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 SMART Repair.

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 or to any subsequent owner of the vehicle except where ownership of the vehicle is transferred to a family member.

Is there an Excess to pay?

No, there is no excess to pay on this policy.

Is the policy available for any vehicle?

Unfortunately, there are some vehicles we cannot cover, including:

  • Taxis, self-drive hire, driving schools, service vehicles e.g. police, ambulance etc.
  • Commercial vehicles or vans with a carrying capacity exceeding 1750kg.
  • A Vehicle used in any sort of competitions, rallies, pace making or off-road use.
  • Any Vehicle owned temporarily or otherwise.
  • Any Vehicle which is not listed in Glass’s Guide.

Is there any initial exclusion period?

Yes, there is an initial 14 day waiting period during which any claim under this policy shall be excluded.

Does this policy cover me overseas?

This policy can only cover damage within territorial limits – The United Kingdom, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Territorial limits will include the countries of the European Economic Area for a period of up to 60 days for any one single trip.

Is the premium quoted an annual amount?

You can select a 1, 2 or 3 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.