Auto GAP car insurance is an inexpensive form of auto insurance that is beneficial to those who are upgrading from an older car to a new one, or to the ones who are planning to make their first purchase.
This provision of car insurance also known as “lease/loan gap coverage” safeguards you from possible losses by including gap security and providing adequate coverage. To ensure that you get the policy that is right for you, Surex will be by your side every step of the way.
Meaning of Auto GAP Insurance
Additional automobile coverage, also known as guaranteed auto protection or guaranteed asset protection, covers you when your car is totalled or stolen. Between your car and how much you owe, it will replace the real cash value. Dealerships and lending agencies are the only places to get Auto GAP protection.
It also aids in the repayment of your car loan if you owe more than the market value of your vehicle. It is available as a one-time premium from dealerships and lenders. You can get it folded into your loan so you don’t have to pay it out of your pocket. Complete information regarding this can be found in your insurance agreement.
Why Do You Need Auto GAP Insurance?
Drivers should consider buying Auto Gap insurance for a variety of situations/factors such as:
Automobiles are brand new
As soon as you buy a new vehicle, its value depreciates. This sometimes results in a negative difference between the vehicle’s value and the amount you owe (if you finance).
Depreciation
Although some automobiles depreciate quickly, others retain their value. Because of depreciation, the value of your property will be less than what you owe on your loan.
Long-term car loans
Long-term auto loans are very common these days. Many citizens have long-term loans of 60 months or more. This also ensures that many drivers can hold a loan balance for a longer period.
This may result in a financial disparity between fiancées and fiancées. It could also lead to a financial disparity between the cost of financing and the valuation of the car.
What Is Auto GAP Insurance’s Purpose?
It protects you financially when your car is written off as a result of an accident. Your insurer’s pay-out will not be enough to cover the expense of repaying your loan. You won’t have to pay for it out of your own pocket if you have gap cover.
Why Should Auto GAP Insurance Be Purchased?
The requirement for it is determined by the specifics of the funding and risk tolerance of the drivers. Here are some compelling reasons to purchase it:
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Peace of mind:
Ensuring that you are financially safe in the event of a total write-off would give you peace of mind.
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Lowers your financial risk:
If your pay-out is less than what you owe on your financing deal, you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket.
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You are not covered for replacement value:
Most plans value your car based on its real cash value, or how much it was worth before it was totalled, rather than how much you paid for it.
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You upgraded your car before the start of the semester:
If you’ve rolled your old loan into a new one, you will almost certainly owe more than the new one is worth.
How Does Auto GAP Insurance Work?
Assume the insurance company determines that your car is worth $12,000. They owe you $11,500 to cover the deficit after you pay the deductible (let’s say $500). You still owe $15,000 based on your funding. This means you’ll also need $3,500 to pay off your loan. You’d have to pocket the difference if you didn’t have Auto Gap Insurance.
Auto GAP insurance is unnecessary if the insurer provides you with coverage equal to the value of your car. It is important to keep in mind that the costs of adding it can vary. It’s projected that it will account for around 5% of your collision and extensive coverage.
What coverage does Auto GAP Insurance exclude?
Here are several potential Auto GAP Insurance exclusions to inquire about so that you are not shocked by a lack of coverage during a claim. Procure some knowledge about the following general exclusions or clauses to see whether you can supplement your coverage with an endorsement:
- Before Auto GAP insurance will kick in, you must have basic auto insurance coverage, so vehicles that do not have both comprehensive and collision insurance will not be eligible for the GAP insurance pay-out or coverage.
- Any equipment not built by the factory on your vehicle is not guaranteed to be shielded.
- If you put money down on the car loan, such as money from a trade-in or a rented car, you will not be able to recover it in a complete loss or settlement because GAP insurance covers the difference between what you owe and what you are paying in an insurance claim. GAP coverage isn’t the same as “replacement expense coverage.”
- Expenses on any additional items you add to the loan or lease, such as extended warranties.
- Any past-due or outstanding lease or loan fees.
- For your leased car, any financial penalty or security deposits.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the common coverages and exclusions found in Auto GAP insurance policies. Insurance coverages vary with time, and certain policies can cover more items and incorporate bells and whistles to entice you as a buyer, so use the checklist above to ask the right questions, and double-check your policy to see what Auto GAP car insurance coverages and exclusions you have.
