SMART Insurance Explained

What is SMART Insurance?

SMART insurance is designed to cover your lease vehicle against small scratches, scuffs and dents to the body work that can often occur from means out of your control. It is a separate insurance policy to your standard motor insurance and ensures the damage is repaired using SMART repair techniques (Small Minor Area Repair Technology).

What does SMART Insurance include?

A SMART Insurance policy covers you for sudden and unforeseen damage to the lease vehicle which can be repaired using minor damage repair techniques. Specifically, this includes:

• Scratches, scuffs and dents to the body work of your lease vehicle including wing mirrors and bumpers which fall within 30cm in diameter and can be repaired using SMART repair techniques.
• The cost of repairs up to £500 (including VAT) per individual claim.
• The cost of multiple claims up to a total limit of £3,000.
• A £150 contribution towards a body shop repair where the damage is within the 30cm area but is not repairable using SMART repair techniques (NB: Any contribution towards a body shop repair will be recorded against your aggregate claims limit)

For full terms and conditions please refer to your policy document.

What does SMART Insurance exclude?

Not all vehicle damage is covered by SMART Insurance and you must make a claim within a specified time limit. Specifically, SMART Insurance does not cover:

• Damage not reported within 30 days of the damage occurring.
• Damage which is greater than 30cm in diameter.
• Where the damage has accumulated over an extended period of time, and is not the result of a single incident, which is deemed to be wear and tear, corrosion or neglect.
• Damage which cannot be repaired using SMART repair techniques and therefore requires a body shop repair.
• Damage to alloy wheels is not covered.
• Any replacement parts required for the vehicle including any stickers or decals.
• Damage present at the start of your policy.
• Loss of use of your lease vehicle and/or any consequential loss of any kind.
• Damage to the bumper or wing mirrors where they are cracked or dented.
• Damage to beading, moulding or unpainted plastic panels or damage to accessories, door mouldings, window mouldings, lights of any sort or any window glass or surrounds.
• Repairs to body-panels which are ripped, torn, perforated or damage to the structure or alignment of the panel.

For full terms and conditions please refer to your policy document.

How long am I covered for?

Up to 36 months of cover is available with SMART Insurance. The cover runs from the start date, which for lease agreements is usually the date the insured vehicle is delivered. The cover end date will be the first of the following dates: 

• the end date of the policy as shown on your policy schedule, or 
• the date on which the maximum claims amount has been reached
• you fail to pay your premium when due
• you, or the vehicle, no longer meet the eligibility criteria for your policy
• the vehicle is sold or transferred to a new owner, other than under section 9 – transferring your policy
• the policy is cancelled by either you or us

Please note, this insurance policy cannot be renewed and can only be taken out within 30 days of delivery of your lease vehicle.

Am I covered both in the UK and Europe?

As long as the scratch, scuff or dent meets the specified criteria outlined in the policy, cover is provided for incidents which occur within the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or Channel Islands and for a single trip that lasts no more than 60 days within the EU.

Are there any restrictions on cover? 

What are the benefits of SMART Insurance?

The main benefit of taking out SMART Insurance is that you can maintain the appearance of your lease car. Repairing minor damage as it happens can help avoid the cost of hefty end-of-contract fees when your vehicle is inspected at the end of your contract. SMART Insurance also means there will be no vehicle down time while the vehicle is in the body shop for minor damage, so you won’t have to arrange alternative transport.

Other benefits include:

• Professional repairs are carried out at a time convenient for you.
• Up to £500 per claim.
• Unlimited number of claims up to the maximum aggregate of £3,000.
• If the damage is within 30cm but requires a body shop repair, the policy will contribute £150 towards the cost.
• Cover for up to 36 months.

What should I consider before taking out SMART Insurance?

As with any insurance policy, it is important that you review the policy, including any exclusions to ensure that SMART Insurance is right for you. Things to consider include:

• Any damage which is not SMART repairable is not covered by this policy.
• SMART repair technology will not correct damage to bonnets, boots and roofs.
• Any damage needs to be reported within 30 days of occurring on the vehicle.
• Vehicles used as emergency vehicles, driving school cars, or any other type of hire and reward are excluded.
• Vehicles used for road racing, rallying, pace-making, speed testing and any other competitive events are excluded.
• Commercial vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes, busses, vans and motorcycles are excluded. 

Please note, all aftermarket repairs vary from the manufacturers factory finish which is machine sprayed to a degree beyond that achievable by human capability.

What are my obligations?

You must provide full and accurate information to all questions asked. Your answers must be true to the best of your knowledge and belief. Your answers will form part of the statement of facts on which your policy will be based. If you become aware that information you have given us is inaccurate or has changed, you must inform us as soon as possible. Failure to do this may invalidate your policy and claims may not be paid.

You must be the UK registered keeper or hirer of the insured vehicle which was purchased within the last 30 days and is to be principally used in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or Channel Islands and for no more than 60 days in any one trip within the EU.

You must advise us if you sell or transfer ownership of the vehicle. If the transfer of ownership is to a family member and within 90 days of the start date it is possible to transfer the cover. You will need to contact us to arrange the transfer.

You must make us aware of any change in circumstances that effect your eligibility for this policy.
In the event we cannot complete a minor damage repair and instruct you to arrange a body shop repair, you are required to submit a paid invoice to us for reimbursement of your £150.

All claims must be reported to us as soon as possible, and no later than 30 days after the damage occurred.

For all obligations please refer to your policy document.

How much does SMART Insurance cost?

SMART Insurance costs £299 for up to 36 months of cover. You can pay this as a one-off payment or spread the cost over 10 monthly instalments of £29.90. 

Who is the underwriter?

SMART Insurance is underwritten by Fortegra Europe Insurance Company Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services  Authority under reference no. C 84703 and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 805770.

Fortegra Europe Insurance Company Limited
The Reed Centre
Blue Harbour
Ta’ Xbiex Marina
Ta’ Xbiex
XBX1027
Malta.

How to make a claim through SMART Insurance? 

Claiming through SMART Insurance has never been easier thanks to Premia Solutions’ online claim portal. You can contact them by:

• visiting their policyholder portal at https://www.mypremia.co.uk;
• calling 01926 622 660

From there, you’ll be asked to complete a claims form and return it back along with accompanying supporting photographs.

Once your form and photographs have been assessed – checked to see if they meet the criteria – and authorised, a skilled approved repairer will conduct a repair at a time and place convenient for you.

How do I cancel the contract?

If you have not made a claim and do not intend to make a claim you may cancel your SMART Insurance within 30 days of receiving the policy documents and you’ll receive a full refund of the premium.

If you cancel after 30 days you will pay for the number of months you have had the insurance for. This figure will be rounded up to the nearest month, and the rest of the premium will be returned to you, minus an administration fee of £35.

For example:

• 36 months cover
• Premium paid £360
• Cancellation in month 12 leaves 24 full months remaining
• Refund of £240—£35 administration fee
• Amount to refund £205