Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) coverage bridges the financial gap between the actual cash value of a vehicle at the time of a total loss and the outstanding loan or lease balance. For example, if a car is totaled a year after purchase, and the outstanding loan balance is $20,000, but the vehicle’s actual cash value is only $18,000, GAP coverage would pay the $2,000 difference. The typical cost is a relatively small addition to monthly auto payments.
This type of coverage is particularly beneficial for those financing or leasing new or nearly new vehicles, which tend to depreciate quickly. In the event of theft or an accident resulting in a total loss, it protects consumers from significant financial strain. Historically, the need for such protection arose due to the increasing gap between vehicle depreciation and loan amounts, a trend fueled by longer loan terms and higher vehicle prices.