Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) coverage bridges the financial gap between the actual cash value of a vehicle at the time of a total loss (due to theft or accident) and the outstanding loan or lease balance. For example, if a vehicle is totaled a year after purchase and the outstanding loan is $20,000, but the insurance company values the car at $18,000, GAP insurance would cover the $2,000 difference.
This type of coverage is particularly valuable in Texas, where vehicle values can depreciate quickly, especially for new cars. Financing a vehicle often results in an initial loan amount exceeding the vehicle’s immediate worth. Without GAP coverage, consumers could find themselves owing thousands of dollars on a car they no longer possess. Historically, this type of coverage emerged as a response to evolving financing practices and longer loan terms, which increased the risk of consumers being “upside down” on their auto loans.