Dear All,

 

I am in a bit of a dilemma regarding scratch and dent insurance which is costing me 150 quid for couple of years on my new leased car. Is it worth taking it considering it takes care of minor and cosmetic repair only. Appreciate suggestions.

 

Thanks in advance.

I'd need to see what exactly it covers, take a look at the fair wear guide  https://www.bvrla.co.uk/fleet-services/fair-wear-and-tear.html

 

if the cover is only for tiny dent's and minor scratches that are deemed acceptable then it's not worth having, however if it covers larger dents especially on the swage lines then it might be worth looking at.

Sorry, I should have quoted the terms, here they are  and hence the confusion of what it really covers since I see lot of exclusions rather than inclusions:

 

1. WHAT IS COVERED
This Policy provides You with cover for the Repair
of Minor Dents, Light Scratches or Scuffs less than
30 (thirty) cm in diameter or 3mm in depth and for
stone Chips less than 1.5 (one point five) mm to the
Insured Vehicle occurring as a result of Day To Day
Motoring, during the Policy Period whilst Your Vehicle
is in the Territorial Limits and subject to these terms
and conditions.
If the Repair cannot be carried out and is deemed only
repairable by a bodyshop, a contribution of up to £250
towards Your motor insurance excess will be paid (on
the production of an invoice to show the repair has been
carried out and a claim has been made on Your motor
insurance policy).

 

2. WHAT IS NOT COVERED
The following will not be covered:
1. Any Vehicle:
a. with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 5 tonnes.
b. classed as a motorcycle, scooter, three wheeled
vehicle, quad bike, boat or trailer;
c. which is used for business use or as part of Your
employment;
d. which is used for Hire or Reward.
2. Any damage to the Vehicle:
a. which is not Minor Repair Damage;
b. which was incurred prior to the inception of the
Policy;
c. which was incurred more than 14 (fourteen) days
prior to the claim being reported;
d. resulting in cracked or dented bumpers;
e. where Our appointed repairer confirms the repair
requires a body-shop repair and is not a Cosmetic
Repair (Our appointed repairer’s decision is final);
f. caused by or to stickers or decals;
g. resulting in the replacement of any, body panel or
part of the Vehicle;
h. where the cost of the Repairs exceeds the Claim
Limit irrespective of the size of damage;
i. involving wheels, accessories, door mouldings,
window mouldings, lamps of any type or any
window or glass panel;
j. involving beading, locks and handles or mouldings;
k. involving roofs and bonnets except where a
Cosmetic Repair is achievable (body shop repairs
are excluded).
3. Any claims in respect of:
a. any third party damage, which caused bodily injury;
b. claims made in excess of Your Aggregate Limit;
c. where You have not signed and dated the Policy
Schedule;
d. any loss or damage caused by, arising from or
contributed to by:
i. ionising radiation or radioactive contamination from
any nuclear fuel or from any nuclear waste which
results from burning nuclear fuel;
or ii. the radioactive, toxic, explosive or other
dangerous properties of any nuclear machinery or
any part of it; e. any loss or damage caused by war,
revolution or any similar event;
f. any mobile phone, phone call and postage costs;
g. delays or failure in delivering service to You due
to any extraordinary event or circumstance which
are outside Our reasonable control, such as severe
weather conditions.
4) Gradually operating effects: Damage caused by rust,
corrosion or decay of any kind, insects, vermin, wet or
dry rot or mould.
5) Misuse: Damage caused as a result of the Vehicle(s)
being used for a purpose for which it is not intended.
6) Motor policy: Damage caused by or resulting from
a motor accident or collision, theft, attempted theft,
fire, break-in, vandalism or exposure to weather
conditions which would more normally be insured by
a comprehensive insurance motor policy, whether
insured and in force or not.
7) Other insurances: Damage to the Vehicle to the
extent it is: a. more specifically insured elsewhere for
the cover provided under this Policy; or b. but for the
existence of this Policy would be insured elsewhere.
8) Premium: Where the applicable Premium due has not
been paid.
9) Previous repairs: Repair work required to rectify or
amend previous repairs carried out, not covered
under this Policy.
10) Vehicle glass: Damage to windscreens, window glass,
sunroofs, mirrors, lights or lenses.
11) Warranty: Damage which is covered by the Vehicle
manufacturers’ warranty or any extension purchased
thereto.

For the scratches is it cm or mm ? If it's mm the fair wear and tear guide allows up to 25mm anyway.  

Its upto 30cm.

16 hours ago, dipincoolwater said:

If the Repair cannot be carried out and is deemed only
repairable by a bodyshop, a contribution of up to £250
towards Your motor insurance excess will be paid

Well, this strikes me as the most interesting point; it may mean that they will repair or cover your excess, depending on how much that is (you'll know; I don't need to).

Well it seems so , I had more clarification over email from the broker and seems to make some sense:

 

"Its designed for small cosmetic repairs we cover scratches up to 30cm across 2 panels. Where we are slightly different to other providers is that if the repair is over the 30cm but within the £250 claim limit we will still authorize the claim. Even if the repair was £300 we would still pay up to £250 you would just have to pay the difference, other providers would reject the claim because its over the claim limit. 

 

We bring a common sense approach to the claims process and understand not all scratches are 30cm or dents or scuffs. The additional benefit is that if you needed to make a claim under your motor insurance we would also contribute £250 towards your motor excess."

just bought this, made sense to me for a couple of years especially when i have a leased vehicle and while returning I dont need any issues with the lessee. So all in all , I can claim upto £3000 in cosmetic repairs on multi panls upto 30cm for £150 over couple of years.