Scratch and dent insurance

[kazuki1328]

Hi all, just want to pick the expertise of the members. I'm picking my new car on the 1st Sep and was offered scratch and dent insurance by the dealer at £399 for 3 years and £499 for 4 years with Autoprotect (Smartprotect).

Some people will think its not worth it, but in my case I most probably will take it out. Its just to cover my own damage/others damaging my car accidentally/ jealous people keying my new car etc.

I'm considering:-
1. Buying from dealer
2. Shopping around to find cheaper Autoprotect quote
3. Using alternative insurance/warranty company as they seem cheaper.

Has anyone any experience with Autoprotect claims or any other scratch insurer?

Thanks in advance

Stuart

 

[PontyB]

It will always be down to personal preference unless you know you have a very tight driveway or garage access. The last brand new car I bought was VW Golf R estate in 2017 and it was hit whilst parked on its first trip out, then hit by a metal nut on the motorway and scraped a further 2 times whilst parked during the 2 years I had it, plus I managed to scrape one of the black alloys myself. Ringing round SMART repairers when I was ready to part ex, I got it all done on my driveway in around 6 hours for under £200, luckily everything either pushed back out or polished out, ie wasn't something that needed a full bodyshop with spray facility. The alloy was resprayed in his van.

I did look at these dealer protective coatings but as our neighbours keep bees, decided to go for a full ceramic coating. If that needs any explanation bees poop a lot, especially in spring when they have been hibernating for months, and that means hundreds of tiny orange dots or lines appear on the cars often faster than you can wash them off! By nature it is a bit waxy and waterproof so often have to rub each spot individually to remove and a full ceramic coating has made that much easier and means I don't damage the paint surface itself if I have to rub quite hard.

Going to come down to your personal situation and expectations but SMART repairs aren't as expensive as you may think and of course only need paying for if damage does occur.

My personal opinion and experience only of course.

Enjoy the new car Kazuki1328, hope it is everything you want and looks after you.

 

[kazuki1328]

It will always be down to personal preference unless you know you have a very tight driveway or garage access. The last brand new car I bought was VW Golf R estate in 2017 and it was hit whilst parked on its first trip out, then hit by a metal nut on the motorway and scraped a further 2 times whilst parked during the 2 years I had it, plus I managed to scrape one of the black alloys myself. Ringing round SMART repairers when I was ready to part ex, I got it all done on my driveway in around 6 hours for under £200, luckily everything either pushed back out or polished out, ie wasn't something that needed a full bodyshop with spray facility. The alloy was resprayed in his van.

I did look at these dealer protective coatings but as our neighbours keep bees, decided to go for a full ceramic coating. If that needs any explanation bees poop a lot, especially in spring when they have been hibernating for months, and that means hundreds of tiny orange dots or lines appear on the cars often faster than you can wash them off! By nature it is a bit waxy and waterproof so often have to rub each spot individually to remove and a full ceramic coating has made that much easier and means I don't damage the paint surface itself if I have to rub quite hard.

Going to come down to your personal situation and expectations but SMART repairs aren't as expensive as you may think and of course only need paying for if damage does occur.

My personal opinion and experience only of course.

Enjoy the new car Kazuki1328, hope it is everything you want and looks after you.

Thanks Ponty B. Thanks for your input and experiences.

I didn't realise fixing up those bits on the paintwork could be so cheap. I was selling my old car that had scratches and bumps everywhere, if I had known I might have paid to have minor works done.

In previous years, my car has been keyed, not sure if it was on the driveway or during shopping trips. So the insurance is partly to cover for that as well as the odd door openings or scrapes on the bumpers by me or other shoppers.

I think as its new, initially I will be concerned with scratches but based on past experience as time goes on and the car gets older. I tend to care less and less. So i would need just initial protection over first couple of years. As the car has a 7 year warranty. Im most likely keep it for at least 5 so after 5 years when I sell, I might look up the repair companies you suggested