Don't claim
for a scuff.
Most cosmetic damage costs less to repair than the excess on a comprehensive policy , and repairing it directly leaves your no claims discount untouched. Send us photos and we'll give you a fixed price so you can compare the two properly.
Three reasons a repair usually wins
Usually less than your excess
A typical comprehensive policy carries a few hundred pounds of excess before the insurer pays anything. Scuffed bumpers, kerbed wheels and door scratches are the kind of damage that often sits under that figure when it's repaired rather than replaced.
Your no claims discount stays intact
A cosmetic claim can reduce your discount and sit on your record for years, pushing up renewals long after the damage is forgotten. Paying for a small repair directly keeps your policy exactly as it is.
No claim, no paperwork, no courtesy car
No claim form, no assessor visit, no fortnight without your vehicle. We come to your home, work or dealership and most repairs are finished in one to three hours on site.
We can't advise you on your own policy, every insurer sets its own excess and terms. What we can do is give you a firm repair price, so the comparison is a real one rather than a guess.
Repair it, or claim for it
Usually worth repairing directly
- Bumper scuffs and corner damage
- Kerbed and gouged alloy wheels
- Car park dinks and door scratches
- Key scratches across one or two panels
- Stone chips and small dents
- Scuffed mirror casings and trim
Better off going through insurance
- Damage across several panels after a collision
- Anything structural, or affecting lights and safety systems
- Cracked or split panels needing replacement
- Damage where a third party is at fault and paying
Common questions
- Should I claim on my insurance for a scratch or scuff?
- For most single-panel cosmetic damage, no. Once you account for the excess and the effect on your no claims discount, a direct repair is usually the cheaper option overall. Get a price from us first, then decide.
- Do I have to tell my insurer about damage I've repaired?
- You don't normally need to notify an insurer about cosmetic damage you've had repaired at your own cost, but policies vary. If you're unsure, check the wording of yours, we can't advise on your individual policy.
- What if the damage is too severe for a SMART repair?
- We'll say so. Structural damage, deployed airbags, cracked panels or anything affecting safety belongs in a full bodyshop, and we'll point you that way rather than take the work.
- Can you work alongside an insurance or accident management company?
- Yes. We regularly pick up the cosmetic element of larger jobs for dealerships and fleets, and we can invoice a business or third party directly where that's been agreed in advance.
- Do you handle vandalism or key scratch claims?
- We repair vandal damage and key scratches all the time. Whether it's worth claiming depends on the depth and how many panels are affected, send us photos and we'll give you an honest view.
Get your car
back.
Factory-standard finish, on your driveway, often by this time tomorrow.