What Is Gap Insurance? Is It Worth It?

This article explains what gap insurance is, and discusses whether it’s worth paying for.

Gap Insurance

Gap insurance is a type of insurance that covers the difference between the amount you owe on your car loan and the actual cash value of your car if it is totaled in an accident. This can happen if you owe more on your car loan than the car is worth, which is often the case if you make a down payment that is less than 20% of the purchase price.

For example, let’s say you buy a car for $20,000 and make a down payment of $5,000. You would then owe $15,000 on your car loan. If your car is totaled in an accident and the insurance company declares it a total loss, they will only pay you the actual cash value of the car, which may be less than $15,000. If this happens, you would still owe the remaining $15,000 on your car loan.

Gap insurance would cover the difference between the actual cash value of your car and the amount you owe on your car loan. In this example, gap insurance would pay you $10,000, which would cover the remaining balance on your car loan.

Is Gap Insurance Worth Buying?

Whether or not gap insurance is worth buying depends on your individual circumstances. If you owe more on your car loan than the car is worth, then gap insurance can be a valuable financial protection. However, if you have a large down payment or if you have equity in your car, then you may not need gap insurance.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether or not to buy gap insurance:

• The amount you owe on your car loan. The more you owe on your car loan, the more likely you are to need gap insurance.
• The value of your car. If your car is worth more than you owe on your car loan, then you may not need gap insurance.
• Your deductible. If you have a high deductible, then gap insurance may not be worth buying.
• Your budget. Gap insurance can be expensive, so you need to make sure that you can afford it.

If you’re not sure whether or not gap insurance is right for you, talk to your insurance agent. They can help you assess your individual needs and determine if gap insurance is a good fit for you.

Here are some additional tips for deciding whether or not to buy gap insurance:

• Shop around for quotes. Compare quotes from different insurance companies to get the best price.
• Read the fine print. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of your gap insurance policy before you buy it.
• Review your policy annually. Your needs may change over time, so it’s important to review your policy annually to make sure that it still meets your needs.