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When Is the Best Time to Buy GAP Insurance?

 

The best time to buy GAP Insurance is as soon as you take delivery of your vehicle or within the first 90 to 180 days, depending on the type of cover. Buying early gives you access to the full range of policies like Return to Invoice or Vehicle Replacement GAP.

 

If you’ve just bought a car, GAP Insurance might be on your radar, but do you need to get it sorted right away, or can it wait?

 

There are several compelling reasons to purchase GAP Insurance immediately, which we will cover in this section. However, buying a car is a significant financial commitment. You may want to consider leaving the extra expense of GAP cover until your next payday. You may also simply want some time to think about it.

 

Timing isn’t just about convenience. When you buy GAP Insurance can affect whether you’re eligible at all, and what type of cover you can actually get.   When is the best time to buy GAP Insurance?

 

Here’s what you need to know before you leave it too late.

 

Why Timing Matters

 

GAP Insurance is not available forever. Most policies have a purchase window based on when the vehicle was delivered or registered.

 

If you leave it too long, you may lose the option to buy some types of cover. And in the event of a total loss, you can’t take out a policy after the fact. It’s like trying to insure a house once it’s already on fire.

 

Here’s a general guide:

  • Return to Invoice GAP is typically available for up to 180 days from delivery. Potentially, on a new car, up to 365 days.
  • Vehicle Replacement GAP often has a tighter limit than Return to Invoice, but can also be up to 180 days or potentially even 365 days.
  • Contract Hire GAP is usually available within 180 days of starting the lease agreement.
  • After these windows pass, only Agreed Value GAP may be available.

The basics are:

Not all types of GAP Insurance are available at all times. The choice of which type diminishes the longer you leave it from the vehicle purchase or collection.

 

Different providers have different time parameters, but all are linked to the vehicle purchase or collection.

 

Table showing four GAP Insurance types, their ideal purchase windows, and what each policy does. Includes Return to Invoice, Vehicle Replacement, Contract Hire, and Agreed Value GAP with clear timeframes and descriptions.

What If You’ve Already Picked Up the Car?

 

Good news, you don’t have to buy GAP on the exact day you collect your car.

 

You’re often still eligible if you’re within the 90- to 180-day window, depending on the type of coverage.

 

Some, like Total Loss GAP, even offer deferred-start GAP policies, which begin after a 12-month period. These can be helpful if you’re already protected in year one by your comprehensive insurance or by a dealer’s policy, but want to extend protection longer term.

 

If you’ve gone beyond the standard limits, you might still be able to get Agreed Value GAP, which is based on the car’s retail value at the point the policy starts, not when you bought the car.

 

Can You Buy GAP Before You Collect the Car?

 

Yes, and in many cases, this is the best time to arrange it.

 

If you’re buying from a dealership and know the handover date, you can set up your GAP cover in advance and start the policy from the moment you collect the keys.

 

Buying GAP Insurance before collecting the car can be especially useful if:

  • You want to avoid expensive dealer GAP products.
  • You’re arranging finance and want cover from day one.
  • You’d prefer to compare quotes at your convenience, without feeling pressured to buy.

 

Most brokers (including us) allow you to set up your policy in advance. If you need to make adjustments (such as mileage or correcting the invoice price), we can do this for you in the days following your purchase.

 

Final Thought

 

So, when’s the best time to buy GAP Insurance?

 

Ideally, as soon as possible after you’ve secured the car, or even before you’ve taken delivery. The earlier you act, the more cover options you’ll have. Leave it too long, and you might lose access to the more comprehensive types of GAP cover.

 

If you’re unsure which policies are still available based on your car’s age, invoice date, or mileage, we can help.

 

Total Loss GAP Insurance quoteWritten by Mark Griffiths, founding Director of Aequitas Automotive Ltd, the company behind Total Loss GAP. Published 20/7/25