FAQs

Got Questions? We’ve got answers. Whether you’re buying your first car or trading in your old car, we’re here to make it simple. Explore our FAQs for quick, honest answers about Carsa’s process, prep, finance, handover, and more.

Where’s my nearest Carsa store?

To find your nearest Carsa branch, you can use the location finder on our website or get in touch with us with your postcode. We have about 10 Carsa Stores around the country. Let us know where you are, and we’ll point you to the closest one.

How long does each CarsaCover policy last?

It depends on the specific CarsaCover product. For example, extended warranty can be purchased for different durations (one year, two years, up to four years). Cosmetic insurance policies (like scratch & dent, alloy, tyre) often last for a fixed term, usually 1 to 3 years. The exact length will be chosen by you at purchase and will be clearly stated in your policy documents. Typically, all these coverages start from your purchase date and run for the selected term.

What happens when my CarsaCover policy ends?

When your cover period ends, that protection simply expires. If you want to continue having cover, you might have the option to extend or renew it (for example, purchase another year of extended warranty if the car is still eligible). Otherwise, any claims after expiration wouldn't be covered. We or Assurant might contact you near the end of the term with renewal options if available.

Who do you work with to provide CarsaCover?

We partner with Assurant to provide our CarsaCover products. Assurant is a leading insurance provider that underwrites and administers the extended warranty and related protection plans. So while Carsa offers the cover, it’s backed and managed by Assurant to ensure a reliable service.

Do I get breakdown assistance with the extended warranty?

No — our extended warranty doesn't include breakdown cover or roadside recovery membership. What it does include is a £50 contribution towards vehicle recovery if you need it as part of a valid claim. If you'd like ongoing breakdown cover, you'd need to arrange a separate breakdown policy.

What’s the CarsaCover cancellation policy?

You can cancel CarsaCover policies if needed. Typically, there's a cooling-off period (often 14 days from purchase) where you can cancel for a full refund, provided you haven't made a claim. If you cancel after that period, you may receive a pro-rata refund for the unused portion, minus any admin fee, depending on the specific terms of the policy. It's best to check your CarsaCover policy documents for the exact cancellation terms, or contact us and we'll help you with the process.

How can I make a claim on my CarsaCover tyre insurance policy?

To claim on the CarsaCover tyre insurance, please go to http://go.carsa.co.uk/cc and fill in the form. One of the members of our team will reach out. Let them know which tyre was damaged and how. They will usually direct you to an approved tyre center or send an inspector. If the damage is covered (like irreparable punctures or sidewall damage, depending on the policy terms), they will authorize replacement of the tyre. Follow their instructions and the tyre will be replaced under the policy (you may need to pay any excess if applicable).

Does CarsaCover cover pre-existing damage?

No, any pre-existing damage or issues wouldn’t be covered by a CarsaCover policy. Extended warranties and insurance plans cover you for new problems that occur after the policy starts. For example, if your car already had a scratch or a mechanical fault before taking out CarsaCover, that wouldn’t be claimable. CarsaCover is there to protect you going forward against unexpected repairs or new accidental damage.

I’ve changed my mind about part-exchanging – what now?

If you haven’t finalized the purchase yet, just tell us that you no longer want to part-exchange. We can adjust the deal so that you keep your car and pay the full price for the new car (minus any deposit you still want to put in). If you already handed over your part-exchange and completed everything, then the transaction is done and we typically wouldn’t unwind it. But if it’s before or during paperwork, you can back out of the part-exchange portion and we’ll recalculate the transaction without it.

When does my contract end?

Your finance contract will end once you’ve made all scheduled payments (and paid any final balloon payment if it’s a PCP). For example, if you took a 48-month term, it ends after the 48th payment (or when the balloon is settled). The specific end date will be listed on your finance agreement. You can also contact your lender to find out the exact date or remaining payments. In short, it ends when the loan is fully paid according to the agreement.

What deposit do I need to pay?

We’re quite flexible – you can put down as much or as little as you want, even £0 deposit if that suits you. Of course, paying a deposit (like 10% or any amount) will reduce your monthly payments, but if you prefer a zero-deposit deal, that’s possible too, subject to credit approval. So, in short, there’s no fixed required deposit; it depends on what you’re comfortable with and what the finance approval comes back with. Many customers choose to pay something upfront, but it’s not mandatory.

Once I've been approved for finance on a Carsa car, what are the next steps?

Congrats on the approval! Next, we’ll finalize the paperwork. You’ll likely receive a finance agreement to sign (often electronically). We’ll also arrange the vehicle handover details with you – such as setting a date for collection or delivery and taking any deposit payment if you haven’t paid it yet. Basically, once approved, it’s about signing the contract and then picking up your car. We handle the liaison with the finance company, so after you sign, we draw down the funds from them and you get the car on the agreed date.

What happens at the end of my PCP agreement?

At the end of a PCP, you’ve got three options: 1) Pay the final balloon payment to keep the car (this is also called the Guaranteed Future Value payment). If you pay that, the car is yours outright. 2) Hand the car back to the finance company. You’ll hand back the vehicle and, as long as it’s within the agreed mileage and in fair condition, you have nothing more to pay (if it’s exceeded mileage or has excessive damage, charges might apply). 3) Part-exchange the car for a new one – often customers will use any equity (if the car is worth more than the balloon) towards a new car. Basically, you can keep it, hand it back, or trade it in.

How do I apply for finance?

We’ll start with a quick pre‑qualification to estimate the APR you’re likely to be offered. You can run this check yourself on our website or call us and we’ll do it with you. Once you’re happy, we’ll complete the full finance application together over the phone.

How does part-exchange work?

Part-exchange is simple: you tell us about your current car (either online via a form or in-person at a branch) and we give you a valuation for it. This is usually a no-obligation quote based on the car’s details (age, mileage, condition, etc.). If you’re happy with it, you can then proceed with the trade-in as part of buying your new car. When it’s time to hand over, you bring your old car to us. We inspect it to ensure its condition matches what was described, finalize the trade-in paperwork, and then the agreed part-exchange value is deducted from the price of your new Carsa car.

How will my monthly payments work?

Your monthly payments will be set up as a direct debit with the finance lender. Typically, you’ll select or be assigned a monthly due date (for example, the 1st of each month). After you sign the finance agreement and take the car, the first payment usually comes out about one month later. From then, it’s an automatic monthly debit from your bank account for the agreed amount, on the same date each month, until the finance term is complete.