Guaranteed Auto Protection Plans (GAP) may be offered to you when you buy a new car. GAP protection covers the difference between what the consumer’s insurance pays when a vehicle is totaled or stolen and not recovered and the amount the consumer owes to the bank, sales finance company, or lessor. The cost of the plan must be properly disclosed and be optional or the cost must be included in the finance charge.
The Terms – Cost – Coverage
Once upon a time, there was not a lot of need for such protection. Buyers customarily paid 1/3 of the cost of the vehicle as a down payment. Because of the large down payment, it was not likely that a “Gap” would ever develop and if it did, it was not likely to be a significant amount.
Now, however, with leasing programs offering low up-front costs and longer term financing programs permitting customers to finance everything, including the floor mats and the tags, it is much more likely that a “Gap” event will occur when there’s a total loss and that the amount of the “Gap” will amount to real money.
There are still provisions in GAP agreements making them not eligible for finance agreements where less than 80% of MSSRP for a new vehicle or NADA average retail value for a used vehicle is financed.
In some states, such as Indiana, each GAP program must be approved by the Department of Financial Institutions to be offered as an additional charge.
Programs approved generally have a 30 to 60 day “free look period” allowing the consumer to cancel the program if they get home and decide they don’t want it.
Some programs allow for a rebate of the GAP cost if the account is prepaid in full. The rebate is usually on the Rule of 78s basis
Costs of the programs range from $225 to $420 with an average cost of around $375-$390 depending on the various provisions of the programs.
In other states, GAP is an insurance product and is handled the same as credit life and disability insurance products.
Who Backs the Program?
The approved GAP program is backed by a contractual liability policy with an insurance company.
What is Covered and Not Covered?
Your auto must be a total loss or stolen and not recovered for the GAP program to cover the “GAP” between the balance owed on the auto and what your auto insurance pays for the loss.
Most programs cover the consumer’s deductible up to $500 to $1,000.
There also may be a cap on the amount they will pay out, such as $50,000.
How are claims handled?
When your auto is a total loss or stolen and not retrieved, you should notify the dealer who placed your GAP agreement on your contract.
The dealer will contact the GAP provider or have you contact the GAP provider regarding the loss.
Other Tips
If you’re told you must purchase a GAP contract to qualify for financing or that it is a requirement, the cost of the GAP program cannot be an additional charge and must be included in the finance charge and reflected in the disclosed Annual Percentage Rate. The program must be optional to be an allowed additional charge.
If you decide to buy a GAP product through a car dealership — the agreement is backed by an administrator and/or a third party — make sure the dealer forwards your payment and gives you written confirmation. Contact your state agency that regulates the GAP product if you have reason to believe that your GAP program wasn’t put into effect as agreed.
So, what do you do when the GAP salesperson comes calling? Proceed with caution. Before you sign on the dotted line, get a full review of the program and its cost, and make sure your downpayment or trade-in is low enough to result in a “Gap.”
Check With Your Auto Insurer
Some companies provide extra coverage in their standard policies for the “GAP.” They may add 10% to your collision premium to pay up to 25% more than the car’s depreciation value. If you purchased a new car, some insurers will pay the full cost to buy a new car if you total your car within the first year and have driven less than 15,000 miles at no extra charge. Other companies may charge a flat fee of $14 to $20 per year for the coverage.