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Return to Invoice vs Vehicle Replacement GAP – Which One Should I Choose?
Return to Invoice (RTI) GAP covers the difference between your insurer’s payout and the original price you paid for the car. Vehicle Replacement (VRI) GAP covers the cost to replace your car with the same make, model, age, and mileage as when you first bought it. RTI may be best if you paid full price, while VRI can offer stronger protection if prices have risen or you got a discount.
If you're comparing GAP Insurance options, two types will likely stand out: Return to Invoice (RTI) and Vehicle Replacement (VRI).
Both aim to protect you financially if your car is written off or stolen, but they work in slightly different ways.
So, which is right for you?
Let's break down what each one does and when each makes the most sense.
What RTI and VRI Have in Common
Both Return to Invoice and Vehicle Replacement GAP Insurance top up your motor insurer's payout in the event of a total loss.
Both are suitable for vehicle purchases from a VAT-registered motor dealer where you have the option to own the vehicle. That could be if you pay cash, or take the car on a PCP or HP finance deal.
Both can be used on new and used vehicles, subject to eligibility criteria on age and mileage. .png "Return to Invoice GAP vs VRI GAP Insurance - which is best?")
RTI and VRI GAP are not a suitable option for lease arrangements where you do not have the chance to own the car.
Both can be used if your car is written off, or stolen, due to an accident, theft, fire or flood.
In settlement, your motor insurer may only pay the current market value of your vehicle. GAP Insurance fills the shortfall between that amount and either:
If the GAP policy is 'combined', it is usually with a Finance GAP element. This means if the finance settlement were higher than the original price paid (for Return to Invoice) or the Replacement cost (for Vehicle Replacement), then it would cover the finance settlement instead.
Return to Invoice GAP – How It Works
RTI covers the difference between your insurer's settlement and the original invoice price you paid when you bought the vehicle.
It doesn't matter how you bought the vehicle. The RTI GAP cover looks at what you bought the car for, not what it would cost to replace the vehicle now.
Example:
- You paid £28,000 for your car
- A year later, it's written off
- The insurer pays £20,000 based on the market value at that time
- RTI GAP pays £8,000 to bring you back to your purchase price
£20,000 + £8,000 = £28,000 (your original invoice price paid)
Best for:
- Buyers who paid full market value or full list price
- Drivers who want a simple top-up back to what they paid
- Most cash or HP customers
- New or used vehicles
Vehicle Replacement GAP – How It Works
Vehicle Replacement GAP (VRI) covers the cost to replace your car with one of the same make, model, age and mileage as it was when you first bought it.
If it was brand new at the time, VRI aims to pay for a brand new equivalent.
If it were a year old with 10,000 miles, the policy covers the cost of a similar one-year-old model with around 10,000 miles, but at the time of your claim.
If your model, as a replacement, has gone up in price, then VRI can pay out more than RTI in a settlement to you.
Example:
- You paid £28,000 for a discounted new car
- Your car is
- At the time of the claim, the same model now costs £32,000
- The insurer pays £20,000
- VRI GAP pays £12,000 to match the current replacement cost
Best for:
- Buyers who got a significant discount from the regular price
- Cars where prices are rising
- Models that might be updated or removed from sale
How to Decide
| Feature | Return to Invoice (RTI) | Vehicle Replacement (VRI) |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of cover | Original invoice price paid | Cost of equivalent replacement at claim time |
| Accounts for price increases? | No | Yes |
| Accounts for model changes? | No | Yes – includes discontinued model fallback |
| Claim payout limit | Up to invoice value | Can exceed invoice value if replacement costs more |
| Combines finance protection? | Yes, with combined RTI + Finance cover | Yes, with Total Loss GAP’s combined cover |
| Cash or finance supported? | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Fair-priced new or used purchases | Discounted new cars or those likely to rise in value |
Sometimes, there is no clear winner between Return to Invoice and Vehicle Replacement GAP Insurance. However, there can be some factors that may sway your decision. These include:
- If you paid full price or close to RRP → RTI will likely be a good fit
- If you got a significant discount or the car's price has since risen, → VRI may offer better value
- If you're unsure, → Get quotes for both and compare the cover side by side
Not all Vehicle Replacement GAP products are the same - The Total Loss GAP advantage.
The features offered by some other GAP Insurance providers differ from those of Total Loss GAP.
Unlike many other VRI products, Total Loss GAP provides a comprehensive solution designed to deliver the best outcome to you.
Keys to VRI GAP from TLG
Combines three types of GAP Insurance to provide you with the best outcome - Vehicle Replacement GAP from TLG covers you from the motor insurer's settlement to the HIGHER of:
- The outstanding finance settlement (if there is one)
- The original invoice price you paid
- The cost of the equivalent replacement
The impact of rolling three types of GAP Insurance into one can be an excellent advantage for several reasons. 
You do not have to decide which GAP Insurance is the best for you, plus you get the best outcome in the event of a claim.
Cash settlements - leaving you in complete control of how you replace your vehicle.
Other GAP Insurance providers may place restrictions on how you replace your vehicle by paying a dealer directly, or if you do not wish to replace the car, reverting back to the original invoice price you paid, in settlement.
This alone could leave you thousands of pounds short of what you may have received from a Vehicle Replacement GAP policy from Total Loss GAP.
Deleted or discontinued model allowance - With the advent of electric vehicles, many motor manufacturers have made drastic changes to their new car lineup. This has seen some of the most popular models known, like the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, for example.
So, what happens if you buy a car, take a 3-in-1 VRI GAP from Total Loss GAP, and when you make a claim, there is no equivalent model still being made?
In that situation, our VRI GAP policy can cover the original invoice price you paid, plus an extra 10% in settlement.
Final Thought
You only get one chance to pick the right GAP Insurance. Once your car is written off, there's no going back.
Both RTI and VRI offer excellent protection against depreciation. The right one depends on how you bought the car, what you paid, and what you'd want to recover if the worst happened.
Still not sure? Our expert and experienced team can talk you through your options and help you make the right choice for your car and budget.
Written by Mark Griffiths, founding Director of Aequitas Automotive Ltd, the company behind Total Loss GAP. Published 02/08/2025