4 Year Gap Insurance

A Gap Insurance policy covers the difference between the settlement you receive from your motor insurer and the original purchase price of your vehicle. Cars, especially new models, can depreciate quickly. If yours is written off in an accident or stolen, your insurers will offer a payout that is in line with its current value, rather than what you paid for it in the first place.

That disparity could run to thousands of pounds and leave you significantly out of pocket – a situation nobody wants to be in. That’s why taking out Gap Insurance can prove a sensible move, because it will cover that difference. If you’re paying for the car on finance, it will take care of any outstanding payments you owe to the finance company.

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Our Gap Insurance policies are available up to 180 days after the purchase of your vehicle.

As mentioned, in some cases, your regular motor insurance may cover a replacement vehicle within the first 12 months, in which case you can defer your Gap Insurance cover until then. However, you must still purchase your policy within 180 days of purchase.

To buy Gap Insurance online, click Get A Quote. You will be prompted to generate your quote in a few simple steps, including details such as your vehicle price, finance term and mileage.

Buying online is secure and takes a few minutes, after which your policy can start straight away (please check policy details for confirmation).

Getting a quote online couldn’t be simpler. All you need to enter is your vehicle details, finance term and some personal information, and that’s it.

You can get your quote and cover in minutes.

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Yes, in most cases your Gap Insurance policy will payout if your car is stolen. This usually occurs if your car isn’t recovered, or it is recovered but damaged beyond repair; either way, being declared a total loss or ‘write off’.

If your car is stolen and declared a total loss your Gap Insurance policy will pay the difference between your motor insurance settlement figure (usually the value, or under the value of the car at the time) and your invoice amount, or the amount you owe on finance, depending on the policy you choose.

Some policies may make your insurance settlement up to the value of a replacement vehicle, or the retail price at the time of policy purchase, again, depending on which policy type you choose.

Our Gap Insurance policies are not only designed to cover your shortfalls in the wake of accidental damage, however. We understand that your beautiful new car can sometimes be the target for thieves and, occasionally, the unthinkable happens and you wake up one morning to find your pride and joy has been wrongfully taken.

Of course, we hope this never happens to you, but if it does, our range of Gap Insurance products will help you cover the difference between the original cost of your car and its value when it was stolen.

No, you can also take out Gap Insurance for used cars. With an older car, the difference between its value at the time you took out the policy and the point at which it was declared a total loss may be less significant than with a newer model, so it’s worth weighing up the financial benefits of Gap Insurance in that instance.

Additionally, it’s worth remembering that any car more than 10 years old or with over 100,000 miles on the clock will not qualify for Gap Insurance.

It’s only natural to wonder if Gap Insurance is worth buying – especially when there are already so many other costs to think about when purchasing a new car. But we think it’s a worthwhile investment.

For example, let’s say you bought a new vehicle for £30,000 and had it for a couple of years before it was written off or stolen. Only by that point, its market worth has dropped to £20,000. Your insurers will pay a settlement in line with that value, suddenly leaving you £10,000 out of pocket. A Gap Insurance policy will cover you for that difference and with quotes starting from just £69, we think it’s a small price to pay for that peace of mind.

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Research shows that the average car depreciates by up to 60% in the first three years. That means if you were to purchase a vehicle for £20,000, it could be worth just £10,000 three years later.

It's worth noting that the rate of depreciation can vary depending on the make, model, mileage and age. If you'd like more information about the factors affecting car depreciation, take a look at our guide: Why Do Cars Depreciate?

If your car suffers depreciation at a high rate, you could be left in negative equity, which, if your car is written off or declared a total loss, could leave you with a financial shortfall, either to pay outstanding finance or replace 'like for like'.

For an estimate of how much your car will depreciate, try our Free Depreciation Calculator.

If you’ve bought your car via PCP (Personal Contract Purchase), choosing from our range of products will depend on your specific circumstances.

Alternatively, you could opt for our Vehicle Replacement Gap Insurance, which will pay the difference between your motor insurer’s settlement and the cost of a replacement car, matching the original specifications of the vehicle.

If you’ve put down a large deposit on your car, our Return to Invoice Gap Insurance may be the preferred option, as it will cover the difference between your insurer’s payout and the purchase price of your vehicle. Whatever your situation, here at Direct Gap we’re committed to providing the solution that best suits your requirements.

Our Lease & Contract Hire Gap Insurance will not be suitable as it only covers vehicles on Contract Hire or Lease.

Yes, our Gap Insurance offerings will cover you if your car becomes damaged beyond repair by falling hail. We understand that the famously unpredictable UK weather means your car can become unexpectedly damaged. There’s not much you can do about Mother Nature, so we’re happy to cover you for hail damage leading to a total loss.

Our range of Gap Insurance products currently excludes anyone using their vehicle for hire and reward schemes, such as taxi drivers, couriers or hauliers.

So, if you’re an Uber driver, our Gap Insurance will not currently be available to you.

Almost all of the time, Gap Insurance does not come as part of your lease agreement. So, if you want to protect your finances in the wake of your car being declared a total loss, our Lease & Contract Hire Gap Insurance enables you to do exactly that, as it will cover any outstanding finance/rentals on your contract.

Gap Insurance is not a legal requirement like standard vehicle insurance. However, it can prove a sensible decision to take out a policy – especially for a new model that is likely to depreciate quickly. Having this form of cover in place ensures your finances are protected and means you can take to the road with that all-important peace of mind.

We want to make your life as straightforward and hassle-free as possible, which is why we’ve made it perfectly simple to get your initial quote through our website. All you need to do is enter the cost of your vehicle and the length of policy you wish to take out, and we’ll calculate your quote in seconds. And, to avoid any confusion, once you select the ‘buy now’ option, we’ll make it clear what your policy does and does not cover.

Of course, should you wish to contact one of our expert team members, you can give us a call on 01422 756 100, email us at [email protected] or simply get in touch via our online contact form. What could be easier?

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At Direct Gap, we understand the importance of flexibility, which is why we offer our customers different payment options on top of our excellent range of Gap Insurance products.

When you take out a policy with us, you can pay your premium up front in one go.

Alternatively, if you’re seeking to pay monthly Gap Insurance, we may be able to arrange this for you over 10 monthly instalments.

You need to purchase your Gap Insurance policy within 180 days of taking ownership of your vehicle.

If your car is brand new, your motor insurance may cover you for a replacement within the first 12 months, in which case you can defer the start date of your Gap Insurance until the car is a year old. However, even if you are planning to defer, you still need to buy your policy within the first 180 days of ownership.

The answer to this question will depend on a number of things, such as the vehicle’s original purchase price and its market value at the time it is declared a total loss.

For example, a brand-new sports car is likely to cost more and depreciate faster than a small city runaround, so the payouts are likely to vary widely. Rest assured, however, that our Gap Insurance policies are designed to cover the difference between the car’s initial and current market value, so you’ll be protected no matter what your situation (up to the policy's respective claim limits).

Should you decide that you no longer wish to continue with your Gap Insurance policy, we offer the opportunity to cancel.

The law states that, to be entitled to a full refund, this must be done within 14 days, but here at Direct Gap we offer you a 30-day grace period to change your mind. Beyond that initial 30 days, if you subsequently decide to discontinue your policy, you’ll be given a refund on a pro rata basis.