BIBA
GeoTrust
container image

[ Contact Us ]

Need Help? Calling from a mobile please call 0151 647 7556

0800 195 4926

Do you have a question? or need help?

Customer Service Lines Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Closed Saturday & Sunday

0800 195 4926

Customer Service Lines Open Mon-Fri 9am-6pm

 

The dilemma: The Gap Insurance policy you bought when you bought your car is running out. What now? gap insurance running out, what are my options?

 

You have (most probably) already taken advice from a broker or someone at your dealership/car manufacturer about Gap cover - Gap Insurance for cars. You might even have purchased Gap Insurance direct with an insurance broker or an insurer. Maybe that has been included as part of your finance package?

 

And Gap Insurance can provide you with valuable peace of mind. After all, the gap between how much you have to pay for your car and how much it's worth in a few years can be huge. All cars depreciate.

 

But your fixed term Gap Insurance policy is coming to an end, and you intend to keep your car. What are your options?

 

Can you extend your current Gap Insurance?

 

Probably not.

 

All Gap Insurance providers are different, but the option of extending the original policy is doubtful.

 

Your gap insurance was probably offered for just a fixed number of years when you bought your car. When it runs out, it just runs out. You will need to check with your provider to be sure, but typically there is no option to extend.

 

Can you buy a new policy for the same level of cover?

 

Again, probably not.

 

Most Gap policies available to you when you buy the vehicle are only available within a fixed time frame of the vehicle purchase. This can be anywhere between 30 and 365 days, depending on the Gap provider.

This means that if your Gap policy runs out after 3 or 4 years, then you are outside the window to buy another policy.

 

vw golf and volvoSo if you cannot renew or buy a new Gap policy of the same type, what options do you have?

 

There may be a couple of types of Gap Insurance available to you still.

 

Option 1: Agreed Value Gap Insurance

 

Agreed Value Gap (sometimes called Return to Value Gap or Value Gap) is designed to cover the difference between the motor insurers settlement, at point of loss, and the vehicle's value on the day you bought the Agreed Value Gap.

 

The Agreed Value is determined by the Glass's Guide Retail Value of the vehicle with a Total Loss Gap Agreed Value policy. This means the costs of what it would take to buy that vehicle, same age and mileage, from a motor dealer forecourt.

 

Agreed Value Gap is not the same as Return to Invoice or Vehicle Replacement Gap, as these cover the original vehicle purchase. Agreed Value covers the value of the vehicle when your original Gap policy runs out.

 

Option 2: Top Up Gap Insurance

 

Top Up Gap Insurance is designed to provide either a fixed sum or a percentage on top of the motor insurers settlement if the vehicle is written off. So, for example, you could find a Top Up Gap Insurance that pays a fixed sum like £5,000 on top of your motor insurers settlement. You could also find one that pays 25% on top. Usually, the Top Up Gap cover with a percentage will have a maximum cash payout, say £10,000.

 

Pro's and Con's of Agreed Value Gap Insurance

 

The significant advantage of Agreed Value Gap is that it covers a set value on the vehicle for anything up to 4 years (the maximum Agreed Value Gap is generally available for). So if you are thinking of keeping the car for several more years, then Agreed Value can be a good option.

 

The downside of Agreed Value Gap is that you are not covered for anything 'extra' straight away. You are protecting the Glass' Guide Retail Value is what your fully comprehensive motor insurance will cover. Only after a period where the car depreciates further that a gap forms between the agreed value and the current market value.

 

Pro's and Con's of Top Up Gap Insurance vw scirroco and ford mustang

 

Top Up Gap does provide an extra monetary amount straight away. The Top-Up Gap is also usually an annual policy.

 

For these two reasons, Top Up Gap can be a good choice for people who are not planning on keeping their vehicle for years and years.

 

The downside is that as the policy is effectively annually renewable, the relative cost, compared to the Agreed Value Gap, can be higher.

 

So which option for Gap Insurance is best?

 

It depends on your intentions with the vehicle. If you are thinking of keeping the car for many years, then an Agreed Value Gap can be a great choice.

 

If you are thinking of keeping the vehicle for the short term, then Top Up Gap may be the way to go.

 

For those with Gap Insurance running out, at least there are options to consider.