GAP INSURANCE CAN HELP AFTER CAR ACCIDENT IF VEHICLE TOTALED
Our Minnesota auto accident lawyers have represented hundreds of people injured in car crash cases. One issue that comes up frequently is valuing our client’s car that was totaled in the crash.
Most people know that a car depreciates pretty quickly. Your may have heard the saying ‘your car is worth 10% less as soon as you drive it off the lot.’That is a bit of an exaggeration, of course. However, our attorneys have had many car accident cases where the client has purchased the car fairly recently.When the vehicle is declared a total loss after the crash, they are often surprised and disappointed by the offer from the insurance company.
WHAT IF YOU OWE MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH?
In particular, it is hard to accept that you can still owe money on your car when it was the other driver’s fault. You would think the other driver’s insurance has to fully pay-off your car loan. However, that is not necessarily true. They are only responsible for the value of the vehicle. If you owe more on the loan than the car is worth, you must pay the difference. It seems unfair, but that is the law.
Fortunately, our lawyers have also worked on quite a few car accident cases where our client has what is called ‘gap insurance.‘Gap insurance most commonly will make up the difference between the value of the vehicle and the amount owed if your vehicle is totaled in an accident.
The need for gap insurance arises because people finance their cars and extend the payments to five years or more.Therefore, if the car is totaled in the first few years, the amount owed on the can be more than the car is worth. This happens because the car depreciates faster than the loan is paid off.It is that difference that is commonly covered by gap insurance.
WE HELP WITH CAR ACCIDENT PAPERWORK
Our lawyers have helped our car accident injury clients with their gap insurance claims many times. The paperwork involved can be confusing.After your car is totaled in a crash, the gap insurance company will need to see the loan documentation and appraised value of the car.They will also went to see the police report, and a copy of the check from the auto insurance company.
Sometimes the gap insurance requires even more information than that. It is important to read the policy before you buy gap insurance so you understand your coverage. Of course, you need to read it again after your vehicle is totaled in the accident so will know what to do to get the gap payment.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident in MN and have questions about insurance coverage and your rights, call us. You will speak directly with a lawyer for a free consultation. We have offices in Edina, Minneapolis and Woodbury.An attorney will also meet you at your home in St. Paul or any city in Minnesota.