Does GAP Insurance Cover Courtesy or Hire Cars?

No. GAP Insurance does not cover courtesy cars or hire cars (except long-term hire, like contract hire). GAP is linked to your own insured vehicle and only applies if that vehicle is written off or stolen. Any temporary or replacement vehicle provided by your motor insurer, dealer, or rental company is excluded from GAP cover.

Why courtesy cars aren’t covered · What GAP does cover · Alternative cover options · Related links

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Why courtesy cars aren’t covered

Courtesy and hire cars are not purchased or financed by you, so there is no “gap” to insure, as you have no potential financial loss.
They are covered under the motor insurer’s own arrangements, not your GAP policy.
Any damage to a short-term hire car is usually your responsibility under the rental agreement, not GAP Insurance.

What GAP does cover

Your own car, if declared a total loss by your motor insurer.
The difference between the motor insurer’s payout and either your finance/lease balance, invoice price, or replacement cost (depending on policy type).
The vehicle must be registered (or leased) to you and insured under a comprehensive motor policy.

Alternative cover options

Motor insurance courtesy car benefit: Check if your motor insurer provides a courtesy or hire car during repairs or total loss claims. Some GAP Insurance policies can contribute to hire car costs in a total loss claim too.
Car hire insurance: If renting a vehicle, consider standalone excess or rental insurance to reduce costs in case of damage.
Accident management services: Some providers (like accident assistance programmes) offer replacement hire cars after a non-fault accident.

Tip: GAP protects your own car’s value. For hire or courtesy cars, look to your motor insurance, car hire excess or rental agreement for protection.