Many drivers in Kent wonder whether getting their car repaired will affect their insurance. The good news is that choosing smart repairs in Kent can often help you avoid making a claim altogether, keeping your premiums low and your no-claims bonus safe.
When Should You Claim on Insurance?
Making an insurance claim is not always the best option. Your insurance typically covers accidents, theft, vandalism, fire, and weather damage. However, it does not cover everyday wear and tear or general maintenance.
Before claiming, consider these factors:
Your excess amount is what you pay before your insurance kicks in. If your repair costs less than your excess, there is no point in claiming.
Your no-claims bonus builds up over years of claim-free driving. One claim can reduce this bonus significantly, pushing up your future premiums.
| Repair Cost | Excess Amount | Best Option |
|---|---|---|
| £150 | £250 | Pay privately |
| £300 | £250 | Consider privately |
| £800+ | £250 | The claim may be worthwhile |
Do You Have to Tell Your Insurer About Repairs?
In the UK, you must have motor insurance to drive on public roads, with third-party insurance being the legal minimum. But do you need to tell your insurer about every repair?
Accident damage: Yes, you should notify your insurer about any accident, even if you do not plan to claim. Failing to disclose accidents can void your policy.
Non-accident damage: If your car gets scratched in a car park with no other vehicle involved, or you notice stone chips from normal driving, you typically do not need to report this. These are cosmetic issues you can fix privately.
Why Smart Repairs Are Often the Better Choice
Smart repairs in Kent offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional body shop work. These mobile repairs typically cost far less than a body shop would charge, often coming in under your insurance excess.
Smart repairs cover paintless dent removal, scratch repairs, bumper scuffs, alloy wheel restoration, and stone chip repairs. Because these repairs cost less, you can usually pay out of pocket and avoid the insurance process entirely.
| Factor | Insurance Claim | Private Smart Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Excess payment | Yes (typically £250-500) | No |
| No-claims bonus | May be affected | Not affected |
| Future premiums | Likely to increase | No change |
| Time to arrange | Days to weeks | Same day or next day |
Protecting Your No-Claims Bonus
Your no-claims bonus is valuable. After five years of claim-free driving, you could be saving 60% or more on your premiums. Making a claim for a minor repair can wipe out years of savings.
Smart repairs let you fix cosmetic damage without touching your insurance. Your no-claims discount stays intact, your renewal premium remains unaffected, and you do not need to declare minor repairs when switching insurers.
Making the Right Decision
Before deciding whether to claim or pay privately, ask yourself: How much will the repair cost? What is my insurance excess? How would a claim affect my no-claims bonus?
For most minor cosmetic damage, paying for smart repairs privately works out cheaper in the long run. You get quality repairs quickly, usually the same day, without any impact on your insurance record. This makes mobile smart repair services the practical choice for scratches, dents, bumper damage, and alloy wheel repairs.