Get a quote

Scratch & Dent Insurance

Keep Your Car Looking Like New & Protect Your No Claims Bonus

When it comes to accidents, we all worry about being involved in something serious, but what about the smaller stuff? Minor damage such as scraping a wall, a car park bump or reversing into hidden obstacles might not be as traumatic, but they can be a major hassle, causing cosmetic damage that could worsen over time.

Scratch & Dent Insurance from Direct Gap could save you time and money, covering cosmetic repair for minor damage and keeping your vehicle looking its best, without having to claim on your usual motor insurance (which can have major excess).

Get a quote online now and join the thousands of motorists driving worry-free with 5* Feefo Rated Scratch & Dent Insurance today.

About Our Scratch & Dent Insurance

  • Covers parts & labour
  • Covers body chips and scratches
  • Matches existing finishes
  • Scuffed, cracked and dented bumpers
  • Dent and ding removal
  • Mobile service-repairer comes to you
  • Cover available for 1-3 years
  • Nationwide repair network
  • Fixed repair costs
  • No claims excess
  • Up to 30cm damage size for scratches

GAP Insurance Calculator

Comprehensive Insurance
Potential loss

Only £ 8,550 would be covered by your Comprehensive Car Insurance
leaving a gap of £10,450

Protect yourself with GAP Insurance

Get a GAP Insurance quote

Why Should I Consider Scratch & Dent Insurance?

35% of UK drivers say they’ve been involved in a minor bump with 31% being involved in multiple accidents resulting in a ‘golf ball’ sized scratch or dent. With average car insurance excess at £272 and repair costs reaching over £260, many drivers face the costly dilemma of getting their car looking like new.

Minor cosmetic damage can devalue the resale value of your car and if damage spreads, could become dangerous; so why not simply claim on your ‘regular’ car insurance? Although you could, in most cases you will have to pay your agreed excess as well as make a claim, which could affect your No Claims Bonus.

Our Scratch & Dent Insurance covers parts and labour, with a nationwide network of mobile repairers repairing chips, scratches, dents and cracks, with no excess. Why not take the hassle out of your everyday motoring with a policy from £299 (with monthly payment options available)?

Why Choose Direct Gap For Your Scratch and Dent Insurance

There are plenty of reasons to come to Direct Gap for your cosmetic car insurance. Here are just a few of them:

•  Knowledge: We’re experts in all things motor insurance and every claim is dealt with in-house, so rest assured you’re in safe hands.

•  Flexibility: We’ll do everything we can to provide a scratch insurance policy that suits you, your vehicle and your needs.

•  Responsibility: We’re fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and we hold ourselves to the very highest standards.

•  Integrity: Our team do not make any commission from sales of Scratch and Dent Insurance – we’ve only got your best interests in mind.

•  Service: Our glowing reviews and 5-star Feefo rating are a sign of how much our customers value what we do for them.

See what our customers are saying about us

Richard. Alan. Smith 16 Jul 2023

55 star rating

Second time used for gap insurance, no hassle just straight forward application process and a sensible cost. Would highly recommend.

Martin Priest 26 Jan 2023

55 star rating

Polite and informative, easy to contact and talk to and the products are cheaper than the dealer

Syed Mubarak Syed Ahmad 16 Aug 2023

55 star rating

It was very easy to get the cover and the whole transaction took less than 10 minutes to complete.

Susan Smith 13 Mar 2023

55 star rating

Much cheaper than other quotes. Easy to do. I phoned to talk to an adviser as never needed this type of insurance before. No hold time and very helpful.

Gillian Millar 12 Jan 2023

55 star rating

Nice and easy website and good value compared to main dealer.

Ranjit Ghag 11 Dec 2023

55 star rating

I have previously used this service and find it amazing, competitive prices and cheaper than buying direct from dealers.

David Pibworth 3 Feb 2024

55 star rating

Easy to complete and far cheaper than quoted by the main dealer

Surjit Pangli 15 Mar 2023

55 star rating

Easy to use site. Considerably less than dealer's quote.

MARK HURDLEY 28 Oct 2023

55 star rating

Brilliant, a lot cheaper than getting it through the dealer and so easy to set up, will tell my family to use you in the future.

natasha badger 28 Oct 2023

55 star rating

Easy to use and half the cost the dealership wanted for a gap policy

Stuart Weatherdon 8 Jun 2023

55 star rating

Straight forward to buy & much cheaper than the dealer...👍 hopefully I will never need it, but its peace of mind if the unthinkable should happen...

darren birch 8 Jan 2024

55 star rating

used before and experienced great service, thats why im back

Scott Selbie 8 Sep 2023

55 star rating

Very competitively priced and easy to complete website I would recommend to others

Dave Wilkinson 6 Sep 2023

55 star rating

Very straight-forward and a compoetitive price.

clive williams 14 Jul 2023

55 star rating

As always great first class customer service. Have always used and will continue to do so. !! Thanks

Julian Portman 26 Jan 2024

55 star rating

Very easy to arrange. Competitive price. Used with two previous cars.

Gary Smith 13 Jul 2023

55 star rating

Competitive rates and very straight forward to use. Thank you

Christine Davies 14 Sep 2023

55 star rating

Straightforward application process. Competitive premium rates. Have dealt with company before.

Tracy Fletcher 4 Aug 2021

55 star rating

I was recommended by a friend as they have taken insurance with you in the past. The website was quick and easy to use so I now have peace of mind that I'm covered.

Maxine B 17 Dec 2013

55 star rating

Fast & easy just as you said. Looked at other providers but you had the best service.

Steven Gibbs 19 Nov 2020

55 star rating

Quick and easy to do, excellent value. There are to many careless people in carparks etc who just bang their car doors against other vehicles, having spent so much money on a new c…

Nicholas Kerry 22 Jan 2020

55 star rating

hope I never need this, but have been caught in the 'Gap' previously! Premium less than half the offer from Dealer, and from a trusted Insurer.

Wendy Elliott 12 Aug 2020

55 star rating

Very, very easy to use website totally cuts the middle man out got my GAP Insurance £241 cheaper than the dealership quoted. Worth a look!

Megan Porteus 21 Jan 2020

55 star rating

Easy to purchase. Had a previous policy and received excellent service and so was quite happy to use DirectGap again.

FAQ

What is Scratch & Dent insurance and what does it cover?

Scratch and Dent Insurance covers the cost of repairing minor cosmetic damage to your car’s bodywork. This may include dings, dents and chips or scratches to the paintwork or the bumpers.

The definition of minor cosmetic damage is as follows:

·       A chip, minor dent, light scratch and/or scuffed bumper caused by a single incident, where the total damaged area is no larger than 30cm in diameter or 3mm in depth and, in the case of a chip(s) is no larger than 1.5cm in diameter or 3mm in depth.

A minor dent is defined as:

·       A dented area on the vehicle up to a maximum of 30cm in diameter or 3mm in depth.

Any one claim on your chip and dent insurance is limited to one minor cosmetic damage repair, unless in the case of multiple damages caused by a single incident where the total end-to-end size of the furthermost points of the combined damaged area is no larger than 30cm in diameter or 3mm in depth.

Any damage that exceeds these limits or is estimated to take longer than four hours to repair will not be considered to be minor cosmetic damage.

Get a quote for Scratch and Dent Insurance

Are windscreen scratches covered by this insurance?

No, Scratch and Dent Insurance does not include any damage to your windscreen.

Is car Scratch and Dent Insurance worth it?

Even if the damage to your car’s bodywork is relatively small, it could prove expensive to repair. Furthermore, if you opt to leave the damage unattended, it may deteriorate and cause you a greater financial headache further down the line. But with a Scratch and Dent Insurance policy from Direct Gap, you can rest assured that the costs of repairing any minor cosmetic damage will be covered in full.

Get a quote for Scratch and Dent Insurance

Does car insurance cover scratches and dents?

Most motor insurance policies will cover you for any minor cosmetic damage to your car, but taking out Scratch and Dent Insurance can still prove a prudent decision. Minor cosmetic repairs are likely to cost less than your excess, so it makes sense to protect yourself with this type of policy and avoid risking your no-claims bonus for relatively minor repairs.

Does Gap Insurance cover scratches and dents?

No, Gap Insurance and cosmetic car insurance are two completely different products. Gap Insurance is designed to cover the difference between your motor insurers’ settlement at the point your vehicle is declared a total loss and its value when you first purchased it, or the amount owing to the finance company.

Minor cosmetic damage can only be covered by taking out Scratch and Dent Insurance.

Is Scratch and Dent insurance only for new cars?

No; scratch insurance can be taken out as long as your vehicle is not over 7 years old and has not covered more than 100,000 miles. Please see your policy wording for a full list of exclusions.

Can I get Scratch and Dent Insurance if I bought my car on finance?

Yes. It doesn’t matter to us whether you purchased your car through a finance agreement or outright in cash, Scratch and Dent Insurance is available to you as long as it is bought in conjunction with a Gap Insurance policy.

Will I be covered by Scratch and Dent insurance if I'm at fault?

Yes, even if your vehicle’s bodywork becomes damaged by an incident that was your fault, you will be covered by your cosmetic car insurance. However, please note that you will not be covered if the damage occurs as a result of fraud, false actions or dishonesty. Please consult your policy wording for a full list of exclusions.

How old can my car be to buy Scratch & Dent Insurance?

When taking out car scratch insurance, your vehicle can be no more than seven years old and must have covered fewer than 100,000 miles at the policy purchase date.

Can anyone drive my car and still be covered by my Scratch and Dent insurance?

Yes, your car scratch insurance will include anyone who is covered by your comprehensive motor policy as a named driver.

When can I purchase cosmetic car insurance?

Scratch and Dent Insurance must be purchased within 180 days of delivery of the vehicle.

Whose name should the policy be in?

The policy should always be in the name of the owner / hirer or registered keeper of the vehicle.

Is there a waiting period?

Yes. For the first 14 days following the inception of your car’s Scratch and Dent Insurance, no claim will be accepted. This also applies to all Alloy Wheel and Tyre Insurance policies.

How much does car scratch insurance cost?

The cost of your scratch, chip and dent insurance will depend on the make and model of your vehicle and the length of policy you wish to take out. Our prices start from just £299 but you can get a tailored quote in a matter of seconds by hitting the button below.

Get a quote for Scratch and Dent Insurance

When and how do I receive my policy documents?

Policy documents together with confirmation of payment are sent by email as soon as you purchase your car scratch insurance.

How do I claim on my Scratch and Dent Insurance?

If your car’s bodywork becomes damaged, you’ll need to call the administrator on 0161 451 4803 within 30 days of the incident occurring.

You’ll be asked to supply information such as your policy number and vehicle registration and, if your claim is accepted, you’ll be put in touch with an approved repairer to arrange for the work to be carried out.

What is the claim limit?

Please see your policy documentation for claim limit details.

Does a claim on Scratch & Dent Insurance affect my no claims bonus?

No, you can make a claim on your scratch insurance without affecting your motor insurance policy.

Is an excess payable on this policy?

No, there are no excesses to pay on our policies.

Why would my Scratch and Dent Insurance not pay out?

Your cosmetic car insurance policy will not cover you for any damage to horizontal flat surfaces such as the roof or bonnet; for any distortions, rips, tears or perforations; or if any repair work is carried out without the prior authorisation of the administrator.

These are just a few examples of the exclusions that apply to your Scratch and Dent Insurance. For a full list, please see your policy wording document.

How do I take out a Scratch and Dent Insurance policy?

We want to make your life as straightforward as possible, and taking out scratch, chip and dent insurance is perfectly simple. You can calculate your quote online – all you need is to enter your desired length of policy and the model of your car.

Alternatively, you can always contact us and a member of our expert team will guide you through the process with a minimum of fuss. You can get in touch via telephone on 01422 756100 or by emailing [email protected].

Get a quote for Scratch and Dent Insurance

Why is Direct Gap so much cheaper than motor dealers quote?

We are an internet-based provider which means we have lower overheads than motor dealers. As a result of the high volume of insurance that we sell, we are able to provide quality policies at the keenest prices.

You can be confident that our prices are lower than those quoted by dealers and many other websites. Paying less than you have been quoted elsewhere in no way means that you are buying an inferior product, it just means that they are making more profit from your purchase!

Who is the insurer of this policy?

Fortegra Europe Insurance Company Ltd (Malta Company Registration Number C 84703), Office 13, SOHO Office The Strand, Fawwara Building, Triq I-Imsida, Gzira, GZR 1401, Malta. Fortegra Europe Insurance Company Ltd is authorized under the Insurance Business Act 1998 of the laws of Malta to carry out general business, and is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority, Triq l-Imdina, Zone 1, Central Business District, Birkirkara, CBD 1010, Malta. Deemed authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 805770, and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details of the Temporary Permission Regime, which allows EEA-based firms to operate in the UK for a limited period while seeking full authorisation, are available on the Financial Conduct Authority’s website. Annual reports on our solvency and financial position can be found at https:// www.fortegra.eu/solvency-and-financial-condition-report.

What is the Geographic Area of cover?

The United Kingdom, excluding the Isle of Wight and the Islands of Scotland (including Shetland, Orkney, the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides). Please note that this means the Isle of Man is also excluded.

Can I transfer my Scratch and Dent Insurance policy?

No; your Scratch and Dent Insurance is not transferrable. If you do change your vehicle, you may claim a refund on your policy on a pro rata basis, as long as no claims have been made. Please note there is also a £35 cancellation fee.

Can I cancel my Scratch and Dent Insurance?

If you decide you no longer want or need cosmetic car insurance, we offer the option to cancel within a 30-day grace period, which is more than twice the legal requirement of 14 days. If you cancel within this time, you will receive a full refund. After those 30 days, you will be charged a £35 administration fee and refunded on a pro rata basis.