Nobody buys GAP insurance hoping to use it. But if your car is written off or stolen, knowing exactly how a GAP claim works before you need to make one puts you in a far stronger position when it matters most.

Here is the process, broken down clearly.

Step 1: Your motor insurer declares a total loss

A GAP insurance claim can only begin after your standard motor insurer has declared your vehicle a total loss. This happens when the cost of repairs exceeds the car’s market value, or when a stolen vehicle is not recovered within a set timeframe, typically 30 days.

Until that declaration is made and a settlement figure is agreed, your GAP claim cannot proceed. This is worth knowing upfront because the timeline is largely dictated by your motor insurer, not your GAP provider.

Step 2: Accept your motor insurance settlement

Once your insurer offers a market value settlement, you need to accept it before your GAP claim can be processed. Some drivers hesitate here, unsure whether accepting the offer affects their right to claim on GAP insurance. It doesn’t. Accepting the motor insurance payout is a required step in the GAP claims process, not a barrier to it.

If you believe the market value figure is too low, you can challenge it with your insurer using independent valuations from tools like Glass’s Guide or CAP HPI, but this needs to happen before you accept.

Step 3: Contact your GAP insurance provider

Once the motor insurance settlement is accepted, contact your GAP provider to start the claims process. You will typically need to provide:

  • Your GAP policy number
  • Your motor insurance settlement letter
  • Your original vehicle invoice or finance agreement
  • Proof of the outstanding finance balance at the time of the total loss

Having these documents ready speeds up the process considerably.

Step 4: Your GAP provider calculates the shortfall

Your GAP insurer will calculate the difference between your motor insurance payout and either your original invoice price or outstanding finance balance, depending on the type of policy you hold. This figure is the GAP payout.

Step 5: The shortfall is paid

Once the claim is approved, the GAP payout is made directly to your finance company if there is an outstanding balance to clear, or to you if the vehicle was owned outright. The whole process typically takes a matter of days once all documentation is in order.

What could delay a GAP claim

Most delays come from incomplete documentation or a dispute still ongoing with the motor insurer over the settlement value. Getting your paperwork together early and resolving any valuation queries with your motor insurer before accepting their offer keeps things moving.

Making a claim with GAP Insurance Today

As an FCA-regulated provider, GAP Insurance Today handles claims fairly and transparently, with a UK-based team in Stockport available to guide you through the process. If you have questions at any stage, from the initial total loss declaration right through to settlement, we’re on hand to help.