What’s GAP insurance coverage and do I want it when submitting an auto insurance coverage declare?

GAP insurance coverage is an non-compulsory protection that gives monetary safety to automobile homeowners in particular circumstances. For instance, such a insurance coverage safeguards you from bearing the burden of paying off a mortgage or lease on a automobile that has been stolen or deemed a complete loss after an accident.

However what’s GAP insurance coverage, and do you want it while you be taught how you can file an auto insurance coverage declare? Learn on to be taught extra.

Understanding GAP Insurance coverage and When You Want it

Merely put, GAP insurance coverage covers the distinction between the excellent steadiness on a automobile mortgage or lease and the automobile’s precise money worth (ACV) on the time of theft or vital injury.

Normal auto insurance coverage insurance policies typically cowl solely as much as the ACV, which may depart you owing cash to your lender or leasing firm in case your automobile is value lower than your remaining steadiness.

Listed below are a number of conditions the place GAP insurance coverage could be helpful:

• You leased your automobile.
• You made a low down cost in your mortgage.
• Your financing time period is prolonged.
• You rolled over unfavorable fairness from a earlier mortgage into your new one.
• Your automobile depreciates rapidly.

GAP insurance coverage is most helpful for many who bought a automobile with a low down cost, as new automobiles typically depreciate sooner than used automobiles. Earlier than buying this protection, contemplate your automobile’s depreciation fee, mortgage steadiness, and down cost quantity.

The Function of GAP Insurance coverage in Auto Claims

Think about you bought a brand-new automobile for $25,000 and took out a mortgage to finance the acquisition with no down cost. After a yr, the automobile’s ACV has depreciated to $20,000, however you continue to owe $23,000 in your mortgage. Sadly, you get into an accident that ends in your automobile being deemed a complete loss.

Sadly, your commonplace auto insurance coverage coverage will cowl solely the ACV of $20,000. Nonetheless, since you will have GAP insurance coverage, your GAP supplier pays the additional $3,000, making certain you don’t must repay the distinction out of pocket.

To file a GAP insurance coverage declare, observe these steps:

• Contact your insurer to report the incident and provoke the claims course of.
• Present all crucial documentation, together with the unique GAP contract, gross sales settlement, producer’s bill, financing contract, cost historical past, valuation report, insurance coverage settlement assertion, and any police stories you filed.
• Keep on high of any requests for extra paperwork and observe up along with your insurer relating to the standing of your declare.

As soon as your declare is accepted, most GAP insurers ship a verify on to your auto lease or mortgage supplier inside 4 to 6 weeks. Keep in mind that totally different insurers might have barely totally different declare necessities, so all the time confirm the required paperwork along with your GAP insurance coverage supplier.

Buying GAP Insurance coverage: Sellers vs. Auto Insurers

How a lot GAP insurance coverage prices will fluctuate relying on whether or not you buy it by a supplier, financial institution, credit score union, or auto insurance coverage firm. Examine presents from numerous sources to search out the perfect deal.

Whereas lenders and dealerships promote GAP insurance coverage at a flat fee, normally between $500 and $700, auto insurers cost a median of $20 to $40 per yr when bundled with an current coverage or between $200 and $300 for a standalone coverage.

As well as, when shopping for GAP insurance coverage by an auto insurer, you keep away from paying curiosity on bundled lease/mortgage funds. Contemplate bundling GAP protection with collision and complete protection in your auto coverage — this will add as little as $20 per yr to your annual premium.

When to Cancel Your GAP Insurance coverage

You’ll usually want GAP insurance coverage for about two years or till you owe lower than your automobile’s worth. It’s important to maintain observe of when this happens with the intention to cancel the coverage and keep away from pointless bills. Make sure to be taught how you can cancel GAP insurance coverage if:

• You’ve paid off your mortgage early.
• You promote the automobile.
• The quantity owed in your mortgage is lower than the present value of your automobile.

Remember that your automobile’s ACV could also be up for debate throughout the claims course of. Nonetheless, you possibly can negotiate a complete loss auto insurance coverage settlement by offering clear proof of the automobile’s present worth.

Deciding When You Want GAP Insurance coverage

GAP insurance coverage generally is a lifesaver in instances the place your automobile is stolen or significantly broken, and you continue to owe extra in your mortgage or lease than the automobile’s precise money worth. Nonetheless, it’s not crucial for each driver.

Fastidiously consider your monetary state of affairs and contemplate elements like depreciation fee and mortgage steadiness earlier than buying GAP protection.