Key Takeaways:
- Scratch and Dent Insurance does not cover pre-existing damage to your vehicle.
- Pre-existing damage must be declared during the application.
- Attempting to claim for old damage can result in policy cancellation and potential fraud charges.
- Understanding policy exclusions helps you make informed decisions about your coverage needs.
You’ve just discovered a scratch on your car door, and you’re wondering if your Scratch and Dent Insurance will cover it. But here’s the catch, you’re not entirely sure when that scratch appeared. Could it have been there before you took out the policy?
The short answer is simple: Scratch and Dent Insurance does not cover pre-existing damage.
What Is Scratch and Dent Insurance?
Scratch and Dent Insurance is a specialised form of insurance designed to cover minor cosmetic damage to your car’s exterior. Unlike Comprehensive Car Insurance, which covers major accidents and theft, Scratch and Dent policies focus specifically on minor damage.
This type of cover typically includes minor scratches and paint damage, small dents from car park incidents, scuff marks on bumpers, and minor hail damage. By offering affordable cover specifically for these minor repairs, Scratch and Dent Insurance keeps your car in showroom conditions.
Understanding Pre-Existing Damage
Pre-existing damage refers to any scratches, dents, or cosmetic imperfections that were already present on your vehicle before your insurance policy’s start date. Insurance providers categorise damage as pre-existing if it occurred before the policy inception date, during a waiting period, or before a vehicle inspection was completed.
Why Don’t Insurance Policies Cover Pre-Existing Damage?
The exclusion of pre-existing damage is based on fundamental insurance principles. Insurance operates on the principle of protecting against future, uncertain events, not repairing damage that has already occurred.
If insurers covered pre-existing damage, motorists could purchase Scratch and Dent Insurance only after their vehicles sustained damage, make a claim, then cancel the policy.
The Vehicle Inspection Option
Bidvest Insurance gives you flexibility in how you activate your Scratch and Dent Insurance benefits. You can choose to have a vehicle inspection conducted (at your own cost), which allows your policy to become active immediately without a waiting period.
The inspection process involves an assessment where an inspector examines your vehicle’s entire exterior, comprehensive photographs from multiple angles, and detailed documentation of all findings.
The Waiting Period Alternative
If you prefer not to have your vehicle inspected, your policy will be active with a 30-day waiting period after your second consecutive premium collection.
During this waiting period, any damage that occurs or is discovered will not be covered. After the 30-day waiting period expires, your cover becomes fully active.
What will Scratch and Dent Insurance cover?
While Scratch and Dent Insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing damage to your car, it will cover you for:
- Minor dents, scratches and chips: Your car is your pride and joy. You want it to look as good as it did when it left the showroom floor. We pay up to R2,500 to get those scratches, dents or chips repaired.
- Tar removal: You sometimes drive your car on newly tarred roads. Unfortunately, tar can build up on your car. We pay up to R2,500 cover per claim for specified tar removal.
- Wheel rim damage: You misjudge a corner and scratch your rim on a curb. You want to keep your rims looking as good as new. We pay up to R2,500 to get your rims repaired.
- Hail damage: When dark clouds gather and hail falls, we cover you for specified repairs up to R2,500.
- Windscreen chips: South African roads are littered with debris. A small stone or pebble could chip your windscreen. We pay up to R2,500 per claim of this type.
What Happens If You Try to Claim for Pre-Existing Damage?
Attempting to claim for pre-existing damage can have serious consequences. Your claim will be immediately rejected, and Bidvest Insurance reserves the right to cancel your policy if you knowingly attempt to claim for pre-existing damage.
In serious cases, particularly where evidence suggests deliberate deception, insurers may pursue criminal fraud charges. Insurance fraud is a criminal offence in South Africa, potentially resulting in substantial fines or imprisonment. The South African Insurance Crime Bureau maintains records of fraudulent insurance activity, which can make it extremely difficult to obtain any type of insurance in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is the Waiting Period for Bidvest Insurance’s Scratch and Dent Cover?
Bidvest Insurance’s Scratch and Dent Insurance has a 30-day waiting period after your second consecutive premium payment. However, you can waive this waiting period by having your vehicle inspected at your own cost and submitting the inspection report to Bidvest Insurance.
Do I Have to Pay an Excess When Claiming from Bidvest Insurance’s Scratch and Dent Policy?
No, Bidvest Insurance’s Scratch and Dent Insurance does not require any excess payments. This means you can claim for covered damage without paying any out-of-pocket costs upfront, making it easier to keep your vehicle looking its best without additional financial burden.
What Makes Bidvest Insurance’s Scratch and Dent Cover Different from Competitors?
Bidvest Insurance’s Scratch and Dent policy stands out because there’s no limit on the size of the damage, and coverage applies even if the damage spans more than one panel. This approach ensures you’re protected regardless of the extent of minor cosmetic damage to your vehicle.
Make Informed Insurance Decisions with Bidvest Insurance
Understanding that Scratch and Dent Insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing damage is essential for managing your expectations and ensuring you get the most value from your policy. By being transparent during the application process and carefully reviewing policy terms, you can protect yourself from coverage disputes.
At Bidvest Insurance, we’re committed to providing clear, simple coverage that protects what matters most to you. Ready to protect your vehicle with Scratch and Dent Insurance from Bidvest Insurance? Complete the form below.
