Your journey doesn’t end when you get your new car keys.

We know that hiccups can – and do – happen during your lease. 

But whether a careless driver scratches the paint or your car is declared a total loss, there are a range of products on offer that will make sure you’re not left out of pocket.

What is GAP insurance?

Sometimes, through no fault of our own, we end up with the worst-case scenario: a total vehicle write-off.

If your insurance company declares your car a total loss, they’ll only pay out for the market value of your vehicle at that time. If this payment is less than the outstanding finance on your lease, there’s a serious risk that the shortfall will affect your finances.

Rather than dip into your savings or take out a loan to cover the difference, you can purchase an additional form of insurance known as GAP (General Asset Protection), which will cover the ‘gap’ between your insurance settlement and the outstanding finance on your lease.

Smart name, right?

Some providers will also cover a portion of your initial rental and provide a courtesy car, which could leave you with some spare cash and time to take out a new lease agreement.

The last thing we want you to be worrying about is paying it off and having to replace a vehicle that’s no longer fit to be on the road. We hope you don’t need it, but it’ll be a lifeline if you do!

Why is GAP insurance different to comprehensive insurance?

Drivers must have insurance to be on the road, with varying levels of cover offering different protections. But a comprehensive policy is likely to only pay out the market value of the vehicle at the time it’s written off – which is where GAP insurance comes into play, covering the difference.

Given that the AA claims a new car loses 60% of its value in the first three year on the road, the market value of your car could be markedly lower than the figure you still owe on finance.

Without GAP insurance, you could still be liable to make payments towards a vehicle that no longer exists because your monthly payments are fixed for the entire term of your lease. 

GAP insurance prevents you having to find the spare cash to pay this shortfall in the event of a claim regardless of who is at fault.

Cosmetic Insurance

After a few years on the road, your car isn’t going to be showroom perfect anymore.

Even the most careful drivers can’t help getting a scratch or two, and while your funder will allow some wear and tear, there will be a thorough inspection of the car when you return it.

If there’s any damage outside of the accepted guidelines, you can be charged for it. 

However, cosmetic insurances are specifically designed to protect you from extra costs incurred by dinks, dents, and scuffs. 

This means that if a neighbour backs into your car, or someone clips you at the supermarket, you can opt for a repair straightaway – correcting the damage and protecting the look of the car long before you hand it back.

Likewise, you might also want to look at protecting your car's tyres and alloy wheels*.

Operating in a similar way to other cosmetic insurance policies, it’ll cover you if you scuff or damage the alloys on your new car. Your policy will likely have an upper term (usually three years), and covers you for a number of replacement tyres, puncture repairs, alloy wheel refurbishments, and a contribution towards the cost of a replacement alloy wheel if it’s damaged beyond repair. 

While we know you’ll do your best to look after your new car and maintain its condition, we also know that life doesn’t always go to plan.

By choosing cosmetic Insurance, you’ll be protected against unexpected charges from your finance company.

And your car will always look shiny and new.

*If you’re a business customer, your eligibility for these products may be dependent on your intended use of the vehicle and your class of business insurance.

Changes to FCA regulations as of February 2024 mean Carparison are no longer able to offer GAP or cosmetic insurance either directly or through referral. If you are interested in these products, please identify an alternative provider. We're sorry for any inconvenience caused.