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Will GAP Insurance kick in on a total loss if the claim is denied by the insurance company or worse, if the insurance was not active at the time of an accident?

No, normally GAP insurance will not kick in if your car is declared a total loss but your claim is denied for coverage or if you did not have primary insurance coverage on the vehicle in which to make a claim.

GAP insurance is supposed to pay the difference between the actual cash value (ACV) that the primary insurance carrier pays out for the loss of the vehicle and the amount left on your loan or lease, if you owe more than what the car is worth. 

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If there is no primary insurance pay off then GAP insurance usually will not be in effect. If your insurance company has turned down your claim or was not on the vehicle when it was in the incident that caused the total loss than ACV is not paid out and thus the "gap" is not there, just the full amount of your loan balance which GAP usually does not cover. 

If you are in a situation where you need to know if your GAP insurance will be able to be used or not your should read through the terms of your GAP coverages and contact your GAP insurer to seek clarification.

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Visitor Comments
Will gap insurance give me a kick back if my insurance gives me more than what I owe?
Comment added: 11:16 AM Sep-04
This website has totally let me know never purchase GAP insurance!! Everyone isnt told by the lien holder or the company that gets you to purchase the GAP insurance that you have to have full coverage on the vehicle, you purchased the insurance and it should be honored, it sounds to me some people need to hire a lawyer and sue!
Comment added: 05:20 PM Jan-16
It was all the information I needed and more. Thanks
Comment added: 02:19 PM Aug-26
What if you a driver car or truck was declared total due to weather conditions not involving an car. Example: The car slides off the exit ramp from the freeway. Then rolls three times, are minor injuries to the driver and no else. People who live and drive to work in parts of the U.S. object to having accidents on ice, frozen roads,and black ice covered roadway. Tell us about that.
Comment added: 07:25 PM Feb-22
Question Details
This car insurance answer was last updated 8:21 AM Apr-12.
This Insurance Claims question was asked 11:56 AM April-2-2008.
Jab requested this car insurance help from CarInsurance.com experts.
Rated 6.83 out of 10 based on 6 votes.
Insurance Claims Category
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