How often is gap insurance paid?

Asked by: Dr. Declan Jacobs  |  Last update: September 21, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (48 votes)

Our review of GAP coverage offered through car dealerships and banks ranges between $400 to $900 as a one- time charge which is then added to the car loan. This is paid monthly over the course of the loan and bears the loan interest rate. Loan terms are often 60 months to 72 months.

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.

Is gap insurance a one-time payment?

Adding gap insurance coverage onto your auto loan: If you're taking out a loan to purchase your car, many lenders offer the option to add gap insurance onto the agreement. If you go this route, you'll usually pay a one-time flat rate rather than making regular payments.

Is gap insurance monthly?

Auto insurers typically charge a few dollars a month for gap insurance or around $20 a year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Your cost depends on individual factors, like your car's value. You'll also need to buy comprehensive and collision coverage.

How does gap payment work?

Gap insurance is an optional auto insurance coverage that applies if your car is stolen or deemed a total loss. When your loan amount is more than your vehicle is worth, gap insurance coverage pays the difference.

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How often does Gap pay?

Gap pays Biweekly and the time you get paid depends on how you set up the way you want to receive your pay.

Why didn't my gap insurance pay?

Gap insurance coverage won't pay when the car is not a total loss, if your policy is out of force due to non-payment of premiums or if the claim. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing. exceeds any limits on the policy.

What is the most gap insurance will pay?

The most gap insurance will pay is the full amount left on your loan or lease after your insurer pays your vehicle's actual cash value for a covered collision or comprehensive insurance claim. The exact amount gap insurance will pay depends on the balance of your loan or lease and the value of your car.

How much is a gap insurance refund?

How to calculate a gap insurance refund. You can do a simple calculation to determine how much money you're owed. Take the total cost of your gap insurance and divide it by the months you had coverage. Then, multiply the monthly premium by the months you have left on your policy.

What exactly does gap insurance cover?

Gap insurance stands for Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance. It is an optional, add-on coverage that can help certain drivers cover the “gap” between the financed amount owed on their car and their car's actual cash value (ACV), in the event of a covered incident where their car is declared a total loss.

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 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 to get gap insurance to pay out?

You can start by contacting the GAP insurance company or the dealer to see how to initiate your claim. You'll need the proper documentation to help prove the difference between the amount you owe on your loan or lease and the vehicle's actual cash value.

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.

At what point is gap insurance worth it?

However, gap insurance makes sense when your auto loan balance is likely to exceed the actual value of the car. This usually happens when: You put little or no money down when you financed your car. Your trade-in vehicle was less than what you owed on that loan, and that amount was added to your new car loan.

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.

Does Gap do full refunds?

If you are looking to get a refund from returning your items to GAP, make sure they are in their original condition: unwashed and unworn. Items not in this condition will not be accepted and you will not be refunded. Items which are damaged can be returned at any time.

When to get rid of gap insurance?

Three reasons you might want to cancel gap insurance
  1. You owe less on your auto loan. Once you owe less on your car loan than what the car is worth, you generally don't need gap insurance.
  2. To switch coverage providers. ...
  3. You sold your car.

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.

Is gap insurance paid monthly or yearly?

Our review of GAP coverage offered through car dealerships and banks ranges between $400 to $900 as a one- time charge which is then added to the car loan. This is paid monthly over the course of the loan and bears the loan interest rate. Loan terms are often 60 months to 72 months.

Why would a gap claim be denied?

In addition, a Gap insurance claim can be denied if the loss involves a policy exclusion, such as mechanical failure or wear and tear. A good rule of thumb is that if a standard auto policy will deny your claim, there's a good chance Gap won't apply either.

What happens if you total a financed car with gap insurance?

GAP insurance will pay the difference between the ACV paid by your primary insurer and the remaining balance on your car loan. For example, if you owe $20,000 on your loan but your car's ACV is only $15,000, your primary insurance will cover the $15,000, and GAP insurance will cover the remaining $5,000.

What does Gap not cover?

Gap insurance covers your vehicle but will not cover other vehicles, property damage, or bodily injury.

How long does it take for gap insurance to pay off your car?

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. State laws also dictate how long an insurance company has to pay for a claim.

What happens if your car is totaled without insurance?

If you total your car in an accident that you caused without collision coverage, you have to pay out of pocket to replace your totaled car. Even if you are not at fault for the accident, your compensation might be limited if you don't have insurance. Several states have "No Pay, No Play" laws.