When should I choose a SMART repair over insurance?

If the damage is minor, you caused it yourself, and no third party is involved, a SMART repair is usually cheaper, quicker, and won’t affect your no-claims bonus.

Does claiming for small damage affect my premium?

Yes. Even if the insurer pays out a small amount, your premium may rise at renewal, and you could lose some or all of your no-claims discount.

How much do SMART repairs typically cost?

Prices vary depending on the type and size of the damage, but most SMART repairs cost significantly less than your insurance excess — often between £100–£300.

Can I still use a body shop if I’ve claimed on insurance?

Yes. You have the legal right to choose your repairer, even when using insurance. It’s worth checking if SMART techniques can be used to speed up the process or reduce downtime.

You’ve Dinged Your Car - Now What? Should You Book SMART Repairs or Go Through Insurance?

Q: What is a SMART repair?

SMART stands for Small to Medium Area Repair Technology. It refers to specialised techniques for fixing minor damage like dents, scuffs, or scratches without needing to respray entire panels or remove large parts.

Andy the Anchorman
Aug 7
6 min read

Driver reacts in shock after low-speed car bump causes minor damage to bumper and brick wall — a common scenario where SMART repairs may be more cost-effective than an insurance claim.

Not Sure Whether to Claim on Insurance or Pay for a SMART Repair?

Minor car damage is more common than most drivers admit - scuffs, scratches, and dents that don’t stop your car from working, but definitely take the shine off. And when no one else is involved, it can be hard to know what to do next.

Should you call your insurer? Pay out of pocket? Can a SMART repair fix it and is that even the right option?

As a long-standing body shop based in Scunthorpe, we see this dilemma play out all the time. That’s why we’ve created this guide - to help drivers understand the real cost of claiming on insurance, and when SMART repairs might be the smarter way forward.

We’ll walk you through:

What a SMART repair actually involves
When to avoid insurance (and why)
When insurance is the right call
How much SMART repairs typically cost
The impact on your premiums and no-claims bonus
Real questions people ask before deciding

Let’s get into it…

If you want to hop straight to the Tl;dr and FAQs click here →

Close-up of a scratched car wheel arch – an example of minor cosmetic damage that can often be repaired quickly with SMART repair techniques.

You’ve had a bit of a mishap. A narrow car park. A rogue bollard. Maybe a minor lapse in judgment while reversing (we’ve all been there). Your car’s picked up a nasty scratch, scuffed the bumper, or taken a little dent. No one else is involved - just you, the car, and your wounded pride.

So... now what?

Do you call your insurer? Do you just pay for the damage? Do you Google “cheap car scratch repair near me” and hope for the best?

Let’s break it all down, honestly, and with a dash of common sense. Because you might not need to involve insurance at all. And a SMART repair could be the smarter way to sort it.

First, What Is a SMART Repair?

SMART stands for Small to Medium Area Repair Technique. It’s a clever, targeted repair method that fixes only the damaged area - rather than replacing or respraying an entire panel. Think of it as keyhole surgery for your car.

SMART repairs are ideal for:

Scratches and scuffs (like supermarket trolley wounds)
Bumper damage (especially corners)
Minor dents
Paintwork chips
Light cosmetic damage to alloys or trims

What makes SMART repairs brilliant is how localised, fast, and affordable they are. No full panel resprays. No two-week waits. No massive bills.

They’re designed to be fuss-free and often completed within a day - sometimes within a few hours.

Why SMART Repairs Can Be a Smarter Choice Than Insurance

Here’s the awkward truth: for many minor repairs, insurance is more hassle than help.

Let’s look at the facts:

You’ll Probably Pay More

Most drivers have an insurance excess of £250–£500. If your SMART repair only costs £120–£300, you’re actually out of pocket by going through insurance.

On top of that…

Claiming for minor repairs - even non-fault ones - can increase your premiums by 20–30% in the next renewal period. Source: The Guardian, 2024 – “Drivers hit with premium hikes even on low-value claims”

You Might Lose Your No-Claims Discount

Even a small claim can affect your no-claims bonus if you’re not protected - wiping out years of careful driving savings.

It Takes Longer

Insurance claims involve assessors, quotes, waiting for authorisation, and possibly using a garage you didn’t choose. A SMART repair, on the other hand, could be booked this week and done by lunchtime.

So WHEN Should You Use Insurance?

Let’s be clear - insurance exists for a reason, and it’s still the right route when:

You’ve damaged someone else’s car or property
The repair cost will be significantly higher than your excess
Structural or safety-critical parts are affected
The vehicle isn’t safe to drive
You're not at fault and want to recover the full cost

If a third party is involved, always notify your insurer - even if you’re not planning to claim. It protects you if anything escalates later.

But for small knocks that only affect your own car? You’re well within your rights to get a SMART repair quote and pay out of pocket - no claim needed, no paperwork, no drama.

“But Won’t That Look Like I’ve Covered Something Up?”

Not at all. In fact, SMART repairs are incredibly common. Industry data shows that:

30% of all vehicle repairs in the UK are now SMART-based. ✅ Around 80% of all body shop work still flows through insurance - often unnecessarily. [Sources: JTAPE, Total Loss Gap, and HBC Smart Repair Systems]

That’s a huge gap and a clear opportunity for drivers to take back control.

A SMART repair technician refinishes a car’s panel with precision tools – a cost-effective solution for small dents, scratches, and paintwork damage.

Real Talk: Questions to Ask Before You Decide

When your car’s suffered a minor cosmetic mishap, ask yourself:

Is anyone else involved or injured? If yes → Tell your insurer.
Does the repair cost less than your excess? If yes → SMART repair might be the smarter move.
Will claiming affect your no-claims bonus or future premiums? If yes → Think twice.
Can a local specialist fix it in a day or two? If yes, you might be driving a good-as-new car by the weekend.

Get a Quote First - Then Decide

A good body shop (like us, hint hint) will assess your car and give honest advice. Some even provide quotes you can take to your insurer or pay privately, giving you full control.

You’re not locked into anything until you agree to proceed and you don’t need to file a claim just to get a quote.

In Summary: Be Smart About It

If no one else is involved, and the damage is small, it often makes sense to sort it quickly, locally, and without insurance. You’ll save time, money, paperwork, and possibly a premium rise next year.

We say: always get an expert’s opinion before you claim. You might be surprised how affordable SMART repairs can be.

Key Takeaways

SMART repairs are fast, affordable, and focused on cosmetic fixes like scratches, scuffs, and minor dents.
For low-value, self-caused accidents, it’s often cheaper and easier to avoid insurance altogether.
Insurance claims can increase your premium and wipe out your no-claims bonus - even for small repairs.
If you’ve damaged only your own car, you’re allowed to sort it privately.
Getting a professional quote first gives you options without commitment.
Not all damage qualifies for SMART - if it’s structural, serious, or involves another party, insurance is still the best route.

TL;DR – Here’s the Short Version

If you've accidentally scraped or dented your own car and the damage is minor then a SMART repair is likely to be faster, cheaper, and easier than going through insurance. You’ll avoid excess payments, protect your no-claims bonus, and skip the hassle. Get a quote first, then decide. Insurance is still essential for bigger jobs or any third-party involvement, but for small scuffs? SMART might be the smarter option.

At a Glance: When to Use SMART vs Insurance

Situation	Go SMART? ✅	Go Insurance? 📄
You scraped a bollard	✅
You reversed into your own gate	✅
Someone hit your parked car		📄
You hit another car		📄
The repair is under £300	✅
The damage is cosmetic only	✅
The damage affects safety/frame		📄
You want to protect your premium	✅