When you purchase auto insurance, most insurance companies will only insure the car for Actual Cash Value. Actual Cash Value is determined by subtracting depreciation from what the car cost new. In many cases, a person may owe more money on their car then what the Actual Cash Value is, especially considering autos depreciate in value so quickly. Therefore, if the auto owner totals their car, they end up owing the bank money on a car they can no longer drive.
GAP Insurance was designed to cover the balance due to the bank after the auto insurance policy pays. In many cases, the auto dealer will try to sell you GAP insurance and include it on your car note. This is convenient, but you will find it can be quite costly, plus you end up paying interest on the GAP insurance. I recommend that you call your insurance agent as in most cases, your insurance agent can offer GAP coverage for a much better price and you won’t have to pay interest on the premiums.