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Are SMART repair insurance policies worth it?

I have owned my Citroen C4 Cactus for nearly three years and at the time of purchase I was offered a Smart Repair insurance policy for the car's bodywork which I took out at the time of purchase. I have recently submitted a claim as stones were thrown up from the wheels of a lorry and left a scuff mark on the front edge of the bonnet and a ding mark on the side of the bonnet. The sellers of the policy have dismissed my claim as they agree there are stone chips but the ding is a dent which is not covered by the policy. I feel this is unreasonable - what should I do?

Asked on 3 February 2020 by john harmer

Answered by Honest John
Never by an insurance policy for SMART repairs. The whole point of a SMART repair (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) stems from paintless dent removal. I agree with you, the policy should be covering. Request their complaint procedure and then complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

If you paid for all of the above through a SMART repairer, it would have cost around the same. There is no point in ever having it unless you know the car is going to have a hard life. Contact the dealer where you bought the problem, request their complaint procedure, advise that you have been 'mis-sold a policy that does not fulfil my demands and needs', then take the dealer to the FOS as well.
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