Does gap insurance write you a check?

Asked by: Enoch Muller  |  Last update: May 18, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (61 votes)

If you have gap insurance, it can help cover the difference in the event you have a total loss, minus the policy's deductible. It is important to understand that having gap insurance doesn't mean that your insurance provider will write you a check for what you originally paid for the car.

Will gap insurance send me a check?

If it seems unclear, reiterate to your provider that you want a refund for the unused GAP insurance coverage. Most insurance provider refunds are sent to you in the form of a check within four to six weeks of your cancellation request.

How does gap insurance pay out?

Gap Insurance Claim: If there is a remaining balance on your loan that the primary payout does not cover, you file a claim with your gap insurer. Loan Settlement: The gap insurance pays the remaining amount owed on the loan directly to your lender.

How much money do you get back from gap insurance?

The amount you get back after canceling your gap insurance policy depends on how you paid for the policy. If you paid for your gap insurance upfront, you will get back any unused premium. However, your refund will be much smaller, or there may be no refund at all if you pay for your gap insurance monthly.

Does the insurance company send me a check?

In most cases, the insurance check will be made out to you, the policyholder. But if you have a loan on your vehicle, the check may be made out to both you and your lender. This is because the lender has a financial stake in your car and wants to ensure the money is used for repairs.

Does Gap Insurance always pay out?

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Can I just keep the money from an insurance claim?

You definitely can keep the money and not repair it, but you may have received less than you entitled to. The adjuster only pays the visible damage he sees on the outside, and any internal damage will need to be filed a secondary to get reimbursed.

What happens if I cash an insurance check?

If so, the insurance company will view your act of cashing it as accepting its offer, which will terminate your right to file more claims or a lawsuit. Although you may not realize it now, this check may represent just a small percentage of what your case is truly worth.

Does gap insurance give you money for a down payment?

Gap insurance will only cover what is left on your loan after an insurance company pays out. In other words, no, it won't cover the down payment you made initially because it wasn't part of the loan amount.

How much is the gap refund settlement?

Settlement amounts ranged from $4,036.56 to $1,655,124.78, with each settling entity agreeing to provide refunds to impacted consumers under an assurance of discontinuance agreement. We posted about previous GAP refund settlements here and here.

How do I check my gap claim?

Please contact Protective at 800-432-4566 between the hours of 8AM – 6PM Central Time to inquire on the status of your claim. Please have your GAP addendum/policy number or your claim number ready when you call.

What happens when your car is totaled but still drivable?

Rebuilt/Reconstructed Title: Once a salvage vehicle has been repaired and inspected, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will issue a "rebuilt" or "reconstructed" title for the vehicle. Once you obtain this, you can legally drive the vehicle.

Will gap insurance pay if you are behind on payments?

Gap insurance doesn't cover missed or late payment fees, repossessions, extended warranty costs or car repairs…just loan balances.

Does gap insurance pay you directly?

When you file a qualifying claim, your comprehensive or collision coverage will pay the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle, minus your deductible. Your gap coverage may then pay the difference between your vehicle's ACV and the outstanding balance of your loan or lease.

Do insurance companies send checks or direct deposit?

Check: Some insurance companies issue claim payments by check. It is possible to receive multiple settlement checks at staggered times until a claim is satisfied. 2. Direct Deposit: Your insurer might request direct deposit information upfront if you submit a claim.

How long does it take to get a check from Gap?

Gap insurance takes 5-45 days to pay the policyholder after a claim is filed. For drivers to receive a gap insurance payout, the car first needs to be declared a total loss, and the insurance company needs to accept the claim.

Do you get money back from gap insurance?

Lump Sum Payment: By paying off the gap insurance refund policy in advance, you are then entitled to a refund on the unused portion. Monthly Payments: If you pay your premiums monthly, you won't be able to get a refund on any past months. However, you may get a small refund if you cancel early in the month.

Why would gap insurance not pay full amount?

GAP does not pay out if the insurance company deems your vehicle a total loss and you do not carry comprehensive and collision coverage. GAP does not include costs beyond the difference between your loan balance and the car's value. This means it does not cover missed loan payments or extra rental car costs.

What is refund settlement?

Refund Settlement Product means assisted direct deposit, a refund anticipation check, a refund anticipation loan, or other similar mechanism, agreement, or transaction that allows a consumer to receive an advancement of money against an anticipated individual income tax refund from a person other than state or federal ...

How do I know if I paid gap insurance?

In some cases, GAP insurance is required if you lease a vehicle, in which case it should be outlined in your lease agreement. If you're asking, “How do I know if I have GAP insurance?”, the best option is to check with your insurer or the dealership you purchased/leased your vehicle from.

How often does gap insurance pay out?

You can expect your gap claim to pay out within a few weeks in most cases, 30-45 days being standard. “Gap insurance payout varies depending on the Insurance company, the circumstances of the claims, and the policy terms,” says Lauren Mckenzie, senior agent at A Plus Insurance.

Why would a gap claim be denied?

If the gap insurance company discovers there was any fraud or misrepresentation (you lied) on your application for coverage, your claim could be denied. The vehicle isn't a total loss. Only total loss claims are covered by a gap policy. The claim exceeds the policy limits.

Why did my insurance company send me a check?

The insurance company sent you the check because it wants to draw a line under your claim and keep its costs down, so the first thing you should do is figure out how much money cashing the check would leave on the table.

What happens if I don't use my insurance money to fix my roof?

If you don't complete repairs or a replacement, however, your insurance provider will likely just decide to no longer cover your roof. This means if another storm deals further damage, you won't be covered and will have to pay for the replacement out of pocket.

Should I accept a check from an insurance company?

The short answer is: Read both sides of the check and if you don't see the words “full” or “final” or “settlement,” it's fine to cash it and send an email or letter to the insurer confirming that you are accepting it as a partial payment only and that you look forward to receiving the balance owed.