Gap Insurance Policy: Do You Really Need It?

By Ed Sneineh

GAP insurance in general comes to effect in cases of auto accidents that lead to total damage and complete losses of the vehicles. The coverage provides protection for the difference between what the insured person will receive from the car insurer and the left over balance amount of the loan owed to the on that car.

In the beginning it should be emphasized that GAP insurance coverage is not part of any compulsory state rules. No one is obligated under any law to purchase or have GAP insurance coverage. A number of lienholders like better to see you obtaining this type of coverage when there is a expansive gap between what the insured person owes to the bank and what the auto insurance company may pay in the event of total damage and complete loss of the vehicle. Lienholders will worry less when they know that the loan they are extending will be paid off when the car insurance company pays less what you owe to them.

Some examples of GAP insurance, and where the GAP insurance is needed:

1. You decide to acquire a used tuck and the best offer you bargained for was $18,500. You knew that you got overcharge at least $5,000 extra because the truck is coming with brand name TVs & brand name DVD player, a super sound system, and very outrageous rims (none of these additions is incorporated in the fair value of the truck with your automobile insurance company.) Due to the fact that you have low credit score the lienholder charged you an APR of 25% on the loan. Your car salesman fixed you up with a really good deal on the down payment, where you made only $3,500 down besides your trade in of your ugly car, hence leaving you with a loan of $15,000. After 18 months of making payments you got into a car crash and your truck was declared complete damage and a total loss. The insurance company comes to a decision that the worth of the high mileage truck with all the not-insured extras was only $6,500. With payments for a year and a half, your balance is still $12,800. In this case we have a gap of $6,300 that would be provided by the GAP policy, assuming that you got the coverage.

2. Your super credit score allows you to get a brand new luxury vehicle at $70,000 without making any down payments. Nine months later your vehicle get stolen, and you are left with a $64,730 loan payoff. Your insurance company argues that the fair market value of your luxury vehicle with 46,200 miles is $52,620. The gap here is $12,110. Your GAP insurance policy, if you have one, will pay for that amount.

Do you need GAP insurance coverage? Traditionally individuals who were over charged for an auto, or people who made small or no down payments are the people who mostly need GAP insurance. Also individuals who buy high mileage vehicles or hackneyed, over used, autos, at a price that was too near to the Actual Cash Value of the automobile will also have a gap problem. Some companies will underpay total loss claims for overused vehicles, salvaged vehicles, or vehicles with extensive prior damage. Also, if your loan has very high APR chances are higher that you are paying off your loan note at a very sluggish rate, at the same time your automobile is increasingly losing its value because of depreciation, leaving you with a even wider gap. Another group of individuals who need this insurance are those who cannot pay for the gap in the event their vehicles suffer from total damage in the future.

New and used car dealers may propose that you purchase a GAP insurance policy through their dealership. Make sure to keep in mind that a GAP insurance policy is not compulsory, but it’s great to have if you really need it. Make sure before you get your GAP insurance policy at the finance manager that you really need the coverage, first. Contact your insurance agent or use Kelly Blue Book to decide the worth of the car. Consequently, and based on the sum of loan note you are having you may be able to calculate the estimated amount of gap, if there is a gap.

GAP insurance coverage is a one shot premium policy that is provided for the entire life of the loan note. The premium for the policy runs from $250 to $600 for the life of the loan. The majority of GAP policies can be canceled within specific number of months with certain percentage in refund, assuming that you remember to cancel, and you know how to do it; in the event you sell your car or payoff the loan prematurely.

With people who purchase a brand new luxury auto with small or no down payment and with a potential gap of $20,000, it may be worth their money to pay $700 to be protected with this type of insurance coverage. For others who purchases a $7,000 used car with a potential GAP of $1,350 it will not wise to spend $350 to get insurance to cover this GAP. If you make a decision to get GAP insurance, try to get some quotes before you sign on for that coverage at the car dealer’s office. There are lots of online providers who can give you an estimate for how much it will cost you to acquire this coverage.

About the Author: Ed Sneineh, insurance professional for over 20 years, former college educator of insurance, and founder of Insurance Navy, a leader in providing auto insurance quotes, Chicago. Visit our website and get your car, SR22 insurance quotes in 5 minutes or less. Insurance Navy represents major carriers such as AAA, Travelers, Progressive, Hartford, and more than 20 other carriers.

Source: isnare.com

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