Gap insurance can provide valuable financial protection when your car is totaled or stolen. However, it’s important to understand that there are instances when gap insurance will not pay out. Being aware of the limitations can help you make informed choices about purchasing gap insurance and managing expectations if you ever need to file a claim.
What is Gap Insurance?
Gap insurance, also known as guaranteed auto protection (GAP) insurance, covers the difference between what your car insurance pays if your vehicle is totaled (actual cash value) and what you still owe on your car loan.
For example, if you owe $15,000 on your car loan but your vehicle is only worth $12,000 at the time it’s totaled, your auto insurance will only pay out $12,000. Gap insurance covers the $3,000 difference, so you don’t end up having to pay out-of-pocket on a loan for a car you no longer have.
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When Gap Insurance May Not Pay
While gap insurance can provide vital financial security, there are instances when gap insurance claims can be denied. Here are some of the most common reasons gap insurance may not pay out.
1. Intentional Damage
If you intentionally cause damage to your vehicle, gap insurance will not cover any resulting claims. This includes staged accidents committed by insurance fraud, which carries serious legal penalties. Vandalism or other intentional property damage is also excluded from gap insurance policies.
2. Failure to Maintain Your Vehicle
In order to qualify for gap insurance claims, you need to properly maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This includes routine maintenance like oil changes, inspections, fluid checks, and monitoring tire tread depths. If mechanical failure results from neglecting maintenance and leads your car to be totaled, gap insurance will likely not pay out.
3. Inadequate Primary Auto Insurance
Because gap insurance only kicks in after your primary auto insurance pays out, having insufficient coverage limits on your main policy can impact gap insurance. For example, if you only carry state minimum liability coverage and have minimal collision/comprehensive coverage, there might not be enough for the gap policy to make up the difference.
4. Excluded Vehicles or Situations
Gap insurance may not cover certain types of vehicles, like motorcycles, RVs, and commercial vehicles used for business. And if you significantly modify your vehicle for racing or other purposes, gap insurance may no longer apply. Using your vehicle commercially, such as for rideshare or delivery driving, can also disqualify gap claims.
Common Reasons for Denied Gap Insurance Claims
In addition to general limitations with gap policies, there are other frequent reasons insurers may deny gap insurance claims after accidents or auto theft.
1. Driving Under the Influence
Gap insurance policies strictly prohibit providing coverage for accidents that happen when you drive impaired under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This aligns with the limitations on your primary car insurance policy.
2. Commercial Use of Your Vehicle
While personal use of your car is covered, if you use your vehicle commercially for business purposes like food delivery or rideshare driving, gap insurance will generally not apply. Failing to notify your insurer of commercial use is one of the most common reasons claims get denied.
3. Racing or Track Use
If you use your vehicle for any form of racing, organized competitive events, or high-performance driving on tracks, gap insurance will not cover subsequent accidents or damage. Make sure to inform your insurer of plans to take your car on the track.
Steps to Avoid Gap Insurance Denials
While there’s no guarantee against denied claims, you can take proactive steps to avoid some of the common pitfalls:
- Read your entire gap insurance policy so you thoroughly understand exclusions before buying coverage.
- Maintain your car properly according to manufacturer maintenance schedules.
- Check with your insurer about coverage for business use or vehicle modifications before changing anything.
- Never drive impaired under any circumstances. Arrange alternate transportation, like a rideshare.
- Review primary policy limits to ensure adequate coverage that gaps can supplement.
Is Gap Insurance Worth It?
Whether gap insurance makes sense depends greatly on your unique situation:
Gap Insurance May Be Beneficial If:
- You have an auto loan that spans 5+ years
- You made a down payment under 20%
- You have a lease or loan with low monthly payments
- You drive a car that depreciates quickly
- You owe more than the car’s current value
You May Not Need Gap Insurance If:
- Your loan balance is close to or lower than the value of your car.
- You can afford to pay any loan difference after an insurance settlement
- Your primary insurance limits would cover a total loss
Doing a simple comparison of your outstanding loan amount vs. your car’s value can help determine if gap coverage could benefit you. Many auto lenders also require gap insurance to protect their financial interests.
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To Recap
Gap insurance can provide vital financial security if your vehicle gets totaled and you owe more than it’s worth. However, gap insurance isn’t foolproof and carries limitations on coverage. Being a safe and responsible driver, maintaining your policy payments, and regularly servicing your vehicle can help avoid situations where gap insurance denies claims. And comparing your outstanding loan balance to your car’s value makes it easy to assess if gap insurance coverage could benefit you. Considering these gap insurance fundamentals will allow you to make the most informed choices if you ever find yourself in a situation where your vehicle gets totaled.
FAQs About Gap Insurance Limitations
Does gap insurance cover a deductible?
Typically, no – gap insurance only pays the difference between your primary auto insurance settlement and the remaining loan balance. It does not cover your deductible, which is your responsibility with most policies.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my gap insurance?
You may be able to receive a prorated refund on your gap insurance premium if you cancel, contingent on your individual policy. Be aware that canceling gap insurance could leave you unprotected financially for any future total losses.
Does gap insurance cover engine or transmission failures?
No, gap insurance strictly applies to cases of total losses from collisions, accidents, or catastrophic damage from events like floods or falling trees. Mechanical breakdowns are not covered under gap insurance.
Will gap insurance deny a claim for extreme vehicle modifications?
Yes, insurers can deny gap claims if your vehicle modifications at the time of the loss went undisclosed or were extensively beyond factory specifications. Suspension lifts, added horsepower chips, and non-factory wheels and tires are some examples of risky changes. Be upfront with your provider about any vehicle alterations.
Can I appeal a denied gap insurance claim?
You can appeal a denied gap insurance claim, but you will need to present evidence refuting the insurer’s stated reason for the denial. For example, if they allege failure to maintain the vehicle, service records proving proper maintenance could support your appeal case. But appeals are still rarely successful when denied for common reasons like DUI accidents or commercial use.
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