One thing that concerns me about PCH is the requirement to return it in top condition. I was wondering what people here think of cosmetic insurance?

I'm naturally a skeptic when it comes to insurance, because they're in business to make money, but I'm slightly thinking that my use of the car will be compromised by worries over damage by others - eg in supermarkets or when parked on the street.

Any idea on premiums?

I'm not going to do GAP insurance, but have yet to rule this out.

I wonder if any enterprising independent body shops would offer such a deal themselves (cut out the middleman!)

Moved to the general car chat as you should get a better response there.

Ah! Thanks - I did wonder where the best place was. We'll see! ;-)

Hi,

Just in case you are interested at all we offer a product called Total Loss Protection. Whilst its not exactly the same as a traditional GAP insurance we feel it can make a cost effective alternative.

Regards,

Dan.

Just had a scan on google, and cosmetic insurance will cost £150 per year (£180 if you include alloys), then there's a £25 excess per claim. So over 3 years it's going to cost you nearly £500 to sort your car out for any minor dings if you just have one. I dunno about you, but I don't think that's cheap. At the end of the term you could spend £100 on a quick detail, £50 on a dent man, and not have the hassle of running the car into a bodyshop every time a supermarket trolly hits it. Even if it gets keyed down one side, a bodyshop won't charge that much for a quick spray job I reckon.

 

Then you get into the realms of "It has to be cosmetic damage", and it's then going to end up with the insurers saying "That's been bumped, and there's a dent, so it's not cosmetic." Then your £500 is just a waste of money.