Home » GAP Insurance - What Is It?
GAP Insurance - What Is It?
For many people buying a new car is a big deal. It becomes your pride and joy, and you would do anything you can to protect your new purchase. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that as soon as you drive your beloved car off the forecourt it automatically depreciates in value. Added to that, accidents happen and the chances are it may not even have been your fault, so don't take the risk - purchase GAP Insurance online to protect your investment.
Is Gap Insurance Worth It?
GAP Insurance should be purchased to prevent a financial shortfall if your vehicle is written off. If your car is damaged beyond repair or stolen, your motor insurer may not pay enough to settle the outstanding finance on the vehicle, and certainly will not pay you back what you paid for it. It is crucial you purchase GAP Insurance to ensure you will not be left out of pocket if you have a total insurance loss.
Why purchase GAP Insurance online when I can get it from the dealer?
In theory purchasing GAP Insurance from a dealer is a good product, eliminating the risk that your insurance won't pay out enough to pay off your finance or recoup any money invested in your car. In practice, GAP Insurance supplied by a dealer may not always be the best product or price. The important message is to shop around and don't accept the first deal just because it is convenient.
Remember, with most policies you have a 14 day cooling off period should you be unhappy with the deal.
Dealers typically sell GAP Insurance policies from £299 - £799 - at these levels, consumers may think they are too expensive and not worth the price, especially if it is more expensive than their Comprehensive policy through their motor insurer. If the premium was 1/3 of the cost dealers charge, would it be worth it? The answer... If you buy the right policy, at the right price!
Our BTI+ Policy
With our BTI+ Policy you can clear the balance of the finance or return to the invoice price - whichever the higher. For example: a vehicle purchased today on finance for £29,228 with finance over 4 years and charges of £4500, would, if written off next month, cost you £33,728. A Back (or Return) to Invoice, which is a policy that nearly every dealers sells, would not clear the £4500 finance charges. All this would simply do is get you back to the invoice price. By Purchasing a Finance GAP Insurance policy, would clear the £4500 or whatever the outstanding finance figure is, however, this wouldn't get you back to your invoice price!
Protect yourself from increases in VAT or manufacturers price increases - Vehicle Replacement Plus+ Policy
If you have recently bought a new vehicle and have benefitted from the Government's Scrappage Scheme or a high level of discount from the dealer, there is no guarantee that these levels of discount will be available a year from now. It is possible that because of the economic climate we could see a rise in the rate of VAT as well as (or) manufacturers prices. Protect yourself with a Vehicle Replacement Plus+ Policy that allows you to claim a higher monetary level than that of a BTI+ policy, however, it is a little more expensive to purchase.
Through reading this article I'm sure you agree that purchasing GAP Insurance online, will ensure you are properly protected and save you money should the worst happen to your new car.
![]() |
|
|
ALA Insurance Brokers LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
FSA Firm Reference No 502910.

If we are unable to settle your complaint with us, you may be able to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Further information is available at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Latest Blog Posts
21/12/2011:
New Claim Testimonial
20/10/2011:
We Now Sell Tractor And Plant Machinery GAP
14/10/2011:
We Now Accept Paypal
