Choosing the Best Cosmetic Car Insurance: SMARTCare vs. Other Options

If you want to protect your car's appearance and avoid expensive repair bills, cosmetic car insurance is a smart investment. But with multiple policies available, how do you choose the best option for your needs?

There are a number of factors to consider when you assess which type of cosmetic repair insurance may best suit your needs. Some products cover a range of different situations, while others are more specific to alloys or vehicle bodywork.

In this guide, we'll compare SMARTCare Cosmetic Insurance, Scratch & Dent Insurance, Alloy Wheel Insurance and Tyre & Alloy Wheel Insurance, helping you find the right coverage. Please note that products for cosmetic damage can differ from provider to provider. Here, we compare the current products available at Total Loss GAP at the time of writing (March 2025). SMARTCare Car Cosmetic Insurance comparison

If you are comparing with other providers, even when the product bears the same name, please compare the features and benefits of any alternative policy.

Why Cosmetic Car Insurance Matters

Everyday driving can lead to scratches, dents, and scuffs on car bodywork and alloy wheels. Whether you're leasing a vehicle or planning to sell it in the future, keeping your car in top condition maintains its value and prevents costly out-of-pocket repairs, like hand-back charges.

Instead of paying for each repair out of your pocket, cosmetic insurance policies cover these minor damages, giving you peace of mind and financial protection.

Also, your motor insurance policy may have a voluntary and compulsory excess exceeding a minor repair's cost. This means you could not claim on your motor insurance for a scuff, scratch or dent that a SMART repair could rectify.

These cosmetic repair insurance policies can cover the costs of these repairs, whereas your motor insurance may not.

Comparing Cosmetic Car Insurance Policies*

Insurance Type	Coverage	Best For	Claims Limit	Excess Fees
SMARTCare Cosmetic Insurance	Covers minor bodywork, alloy wheels, and interior trim damage	Comprehensive protection seekers. Provides a 'mix and match' between 3 types of cover	Choice of 3 or 6 claims per year. These can be split between the three areas of cover	No excess
Scratch & Dent Insurance	Covers minor scratches, dents, and paintwork damage	Car owners concerned about exterior bodywork. They may not have alloy wheels on the car	Choice of 3 or 6 claims per year, just for car bodywork damage	No excess
Alloy Wheel Insurance	Covers scuffs, scratches, and kerb damage on alloy wheels	Drivers with premium alloy wheels	Choice of 2 or 4 claims per year for alloy wheel damage	No excess
Tyre & Alloy Wheel Insurance	Combines tyre and alloy wheel coverage in one policy	Drivers wanting full wheel protection for both alloy wheel repairs and tyre repairs or replacements	Choice of 2 or 4 claims per year for both alloy wheel repairs and tyres	No excess

*Correct as of the time of writing in March 2025. Please check the current policy terms at the time of purchase to confirm the options and eligibility of your policy.

Ready to buy? Get a quote for SMARTCare Cosmetic Insurance today

Who Should Choose Each Policy?

SMARTCare Cosmetic Insurance – Best for All-around Protection

Covers scratches, dents, alloy wheel scuffs, and interior damage
Ideal for lease & PCP drivers to avoid end-of-contract charges
No excess fees and multiple claims allowed per year across different types of damage.

SMARTCare Cosmetic Insurance is the real 'all-rounder,' providing cover for minor bodywork, alloy wheel, and interior trim damage. It can be a cost-effective way to cover many different types of cosmetic damage repair work without having to claim on your motor insurance.

This type of 'Smart Insurance' offered by Total Loss GAP is quite unique in the marketplace. Many other providers may call their product 'Smart' but it may only cover minor bodywork repairs and not include alloy wheels or interior trim repairs.

Is SMARTCare Cosmetic Insurance worth it?

Scratch & Dent Insurance – Best for Minor Bodywork Protection

Covers scratches, paint chips, and minor dents
Great for urban drivers who park in public places
No excess fees, easy claims process

The chief benefit of a stand-alone Scratch and Dent Insurance policy is that you can have more dedicated claims for minor bodywork repairs than any other product. Currently, we can offer either 3 or 6 maximum claims per annum.

This policy may also benefit someone who does not have alloy wheels on their vehicle. Instead, they may have a wheel trim or plastic disk. There would be little need for alloy wheel insurance if you do not have any alloy wheels.

So if you are more prone to getting scuffs, small dents or chips on your bodywork than anything else, then a stand-alone Scratch and Dent Insurance policy may be your best choice.

Alloy Wheel Insurance – Best for Protecting Expensive Wheels

Covers scuffs, scratches, and kerb damage
Perfect for cars with premium or diamond-cut alloys
Helps maintain resale value and keeps wheels looking new

Stand-alone alloy wheel insurance may be perfect for those who regularly park their vehicles where they may catch the curb stone or where the roads they use may be prone to potholes.

Modern alloys, particularly diamond-cut examples, can be expensive to fix. In this case, alloy wheel insurance could be the best choice.

Tyre & Alloy Wheel Insurance – Best for Complete Wheel Coverage

Combines tyre and alloy wheel insurance into one policy
No excess fees, multiple claims per year
Best for drivers looking for comprehensive wheel protection

Our Complete Wheel Insurance, also known as Tyre & Alloy Wheel Insurance, provides a rounded solution for those looking to protect the wheels on their car. This is a traditional style of protection offered at your main dealership when you buy a car.

The policy allows for cosmetic damage repairs for your alloys and repair or replacement tyre costs should you suffer accidental or malicious damage that renders the tyre unsafe.

A combined product offers better value than the stand-alone products without losing out on the maximum number of claims per year for each section.

If you are worried about pothole and kerb damage, running over a nail, or something similar, a combined tyre and alloy wheel policy may be the answer.

Need full protection? Get a Tyre & Alloy Wheel Insurance quote

Cost Comparison: Insurance vs. Paying for Repairs

Repair Type	Typical Repair Cost	Covered by Insurance?
Alloy Wheel Refurbishment	£80 – £150 per wheel	Yes (Alloy Wheel & SMARTCare)
Scratch & Dent Repair	£200 – £400 per panel	Yes (Scratch & Dent & SMARTCare)
Interior Trim Repair	£100 – £200	Yes (SMARTCare)

If you experience even 1–2 repairs per year, insurance can save you hundreds of pounds!

How to Choose the Right Policy

Not sure which policy suits your needs? Consider the following:

Do you lease or finance your car? → SMARTCare is the best option to avoid return fees
Are you most concerned about scratches and dents? → Scratch & Dent Insurance is ideal
Do you have premium alloy wheels? → Alloy Wheel Insurance will keep them looking new
Want full wheel protection? → Tyre & Alloy Wheel Insurance is your best bet

Find the best policy for you and get a quote today!

Why Choose Our Cosmetic Insurance?

No Excess on claims – 100% costs covered with approved repairs**
Flexible Claims Limits – Multiple claims per year allowed
Simple & Easy Claims Process – Fast approval and mobile repairs available
Trusted & Recommended – Thousands of satisfied customers

**Maximum claim limits may apply

Get protected today! Compare our policies and get a quote

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best cosmetic car insurance: SMARTCare vs the rest

Choosing the right cosmetic car insurance depends on your vehicle, driving habits, and budget. However, if you are buying a new car or a used model, keeping the vehicle in showroom condition may be easier than you think. Whether you want complete protection with SMARTCare, a dedicated Scratch & Dent policy, or tyre and alloy wheel coverage, we offer the best solutions for UK drivers.

You can extend your protection with Total Loss GAP with a further range of insurance products and services, including:

GAP Insurance: to cover if you have a vehicle written off, or stolen, between your motor insurers settlement and your outstanding finance settlement, the original price you paid for the vehicle or its replacement vehicle cost. What you are covered back to depends on how you purchased the car and what type of GAP Insurance you buy.

A range of GAP Insurance products, including Return to Invoice GAP, Vehicle Replacement GAP, and Contract Hire GAP Insurance, are available.

Tyre Insurance: to cover the costs of tyre replacements or repairs following accidental or malicious damage, such as driving over a nail or a pothole. If the damage renders the tyre unsafe (would it pass an MOT test with the damage is the general rule of thumb), then the tyre insurance can provide tyre repair costs of up to £50 or replacement costs of either up to a £150 or £350 maximum claim limit. The maximum limit you choose when you buy the policy.

Motor Excess Insurance: to cover the costs of any excess you must pay should you claim your main motor insurance. This policy can also be used to opt for a higher voluntary excess contribution to your motor insurance to lower your annual premium.

Motor Excess Insurance helps cover your costs with a more expensive repair that may not be suitable for minor cosmetic repairs.