Subaru leases include gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe on a vehicle loan or lease and the vehicle's value as determined by the insurance company in the event of a total loss. This means that if your leased Subaru is stolen or destroyed in an accident, gap insurance will cover the difference between what you owe on your lease and what your vehicle is actually worth.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
GAP insurance included in lease | Yes |
GAP insurance included in purchase | No |
What You'll Learn
Subaru leases include automatic built-in GAP coverage
GAP insurance covers the difference between what you still owe on your lease and the vehicle's value as determined by the insurance company. This can save you thousands of dollars if your car is declared a total loss due to an accident or theft. It's a valuable form of protection as many people don't realise that their car insurance policy may not pay off their auto loan in full in these circumstances.
Subaru's GAP insurance is a valuable inclusion for lease customers as it provides peace of mind and financial protection. It ensures that you won't be left with a large bill for a car you no longer have. This type of insurance is particularly important if you have a long-term lease or if you've made little to no down payment.
When leasing a Subaru, it's important to understand all the benefits and protections that come with it. GAP insurance is just one aspect, but it's a crucial one that can provide significant financial security. Be sure to review the terms and conditions of your lease agreement to fully understand the coverage provided by Subaru's GAP insurance.
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GAP insurance covers the difference between the loan and the vehicle's value
Yes, Subaru leases do include Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance. This is a type of insurance that covers the difference between the amount you owe on your auto loan and the amount the insurance company pays if your car is stolen or destroyed in an accident.
GAP insurance is important because it's common to be "upside down" and owe more on your loan or lease than your car is worth. This can mean you'll still owe hundreds or thousands of dollars to the finance company even after your insurance has paid for your car, which has been stolen or totalled.
As such, GAP insurance covers the difference between the loan and the vehicle's value. For example, if you owe $25,000 on a 2019 Subaru Outback and it is totalled in a collision, regular insurance will only pay the full amount of the car's depreciated value according to Kelley Blue Book. If the depreciated value is $22,000, GAP insurance will cover the remaining $3,000 that you owe.
GAP insurance is highly recommended if you lease a vehicle, as it is generally required for a lease. It's also beneficial if you drive a lot, as quickly racking up the miles leads to more rapid depreciation.
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GAP insurance is important if you owe more on your loan than the car is worth
It is important to get GAP insurance if you owe more on your loan than your car is worth. This is because, in the event of an accident, standard car insurance will only pay up to the current value of your car, leaving you to pay off the remainder of your loan yourself.
GAP insurance, which stands for Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance, covers the difference between the depreciated value of your car and the loan amount you still owe. This means that, if your car is involved in an accident and is a total loss, GAP insurance will ensure that you do not have to pay out of pocket to make up the shortfall between the insured value of the car and the amount you owe to your lender.
For example, let's say you purchased a new car for $28,000, with a 10% down payment, bringing your loan cost to $25,200. With a five-year auto loan and a 0% new car financing deal, your monthly payment is $420. After 12 months, you've paid $5,040, but you still owe $20,160. If your car is then involved in an accident and is declared a total loss, your insurance company will pay out the current value of the vehicle. If your car has depreciated by 20% since you purchased it, your insurance check will be for $22,400, leaving you with a shortfall of $560. However, if your car has depreciated by 30%, your insurance check will only be for $19,600, leaving you with a shortfall of $2,400. In both of these scenarios, GAP insurance would cover the difference, ensuring that you do not have to pay this amount yourself.
It is worth noting that GAP insurance is not always necessary. If you made a large down payment on your car, there is little chance that you will owe more than the car is worth, even in the first year or so of ownership. Similarly, if you are paying off your car loan in less than five years, GAP insurance may not be necessary. Additionally, certain makes and models of car hold their value better than others, so if you own one of these vehicles, GAP insurance may not be worth the cost.
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GAP insurance is not included when you buy a Subaru
When you buy a Subaru, GAP insurance is not included. GAP insurance is essential as it covers the difference between what you owe on a vehicle loan or lease and the vehicle's value as determined by the insurance company in the event of a total loss. This is particularly important if you owe more on your car than it is worth.
If you buy a Subaru, you will need to purchase GAP insurance separately. This is an added expense on top of the cost of the vehicle, taxes, and other fees. It is important to consider the cost of GAP insurance when deciding whether to lease or buy a Subaru, as it can impact your overall financial commitment.
While Subaru leases do include GAP insurance, it is not a standard feature when purchasing a vehicle. This means that if you choose to buy a Subaru, you will need to factor in the additional cost of GAP insurance to your budget.
It is worth noting that Subaru offers the Subaru Equity Shield GAP program, which provides coverage to customers who want protection against unforeseen losses and greater peace of mind. This program is available to Subaru owners and can be discussed with your local Subaru retailer. However, this is an additional cost and not included in the purchase price of the vehicle.
In summary, when you buy a Subaru, GAP insurance is not included, and it is the buyer's responsibility to obtain this coverage separately if desired. This is an important consideration when deciding between leasing and buying a Subaru, as it can impact the overall cost and financial commitment associated with the vehicle.
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You can buy GAP insurance separately
If you're taking out a loan to pay for a car, it's possible that your car is worth less than what you owe on your loan. This is also known as being "underwater" or having "negative equity". Being underwater on your car loan typically means that if your car is totaled or stolen, standard insurance will only cover the value of the car, not your full loan payoff amount. This is where Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance comes in. With GAP insurance, the money to pay off your outstanding loan balance comes from your insurer, not out of your pocket.
While GAP insurance may already be included in your lease or financing arrangement, you can also buy it separately if it's not included. This is the case with Subaru leases, which do not include GAP insurance when you buy a car. You can, however, purchase GAP insurance separately at an additional cost.
There are several options for buying GAP insurance separately. You can purchase it from your car dealer, your current insurance carrier, or online specialty companies. It's worth shopping around, as the cost can vary greatly. Your car dealer may offer GAP insurance on your new vehicle, but it's likely to be more expensive than going through your insurance company. Most car insurers offer GAP insurance, and they typically charge less than car dealers. On most auto insurance policies, including GAP insurance with collision and comprehensive coverage adds only about $20 a year to the annual premium.
If you're thinking about buying GAP insurance separately, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you usually have to be the original loan or leaseholder on the vehicle. Additionally, GAP insurance is typically only available for new cars or cars that are less than two to three years old. Some insurers may also require you to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage before getting GAP coverage.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all Subaru leases include gap insurance.
Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a vehicle loan or lease and the vehicle's value as determined by the insurance company in the event of a total loss.
Gap insurance is important because it's common to owe more on a loan or lease than a car is actually worth. Gap insurance can protect you from having to pay thousands of dollars for a car you no longer have in the event of an accident or theft.