GAP insurance is a great way to protect yourself from the danger of financial losses in certain situations. However, there may come a time when it doesn’t make sense to keep your Kia GAP insurance (which, by the way, Kia calls an “optional waiver product,” not insurance). If you’ve reached that point, we’ll tell you how to cancel your Kia GAP coverage – without the hassle. If you aren’t sure whether or not you should cancel your GAP policy, we’ll explain exactly what your Kia GAP insurance covers, some common exclusions, and when it’s a good idea to cancel your coverage.
Who Provides Kia GAP Protection?
If you lease a Kia through the dealership, GAP protection is usually included as part of your lease agreement. If you purchase your Kia, GAP insurance is an optional coverage you can buy from the dealership.
We called a Kia dealership to learn more about the GAP insurance they offer. According to a representative from their finance department, any number of companies can provide the GAP coverage that dealerships sell. One of the GAP policies Kia often sells (and the one used at the dealership we contacted) is the Fidelity Warranty Services (FWS) Total Loss Protection Plan (administered by Jim Moran & Associates, Inc.).
The Simple Way To Cancel Kia Total Loss Protection
To cancel your Kia GAP Total Loss Protection, contact the dealer where you purchased the policy and ask them to cancel your GAP policy.
If you have questions about your GAP policy, your GAP agreement is an excellent resource that should give you any information you need regarding canceling your policy.
If you have any issues getting through to your dealership, you can contact FWS directly by phone at 1-800-327-5172. FWS also offers a dedicated phone line for claims and customer service support of Kia branded programs, which you can reach by calling 1-866-440-1340.
What Does Kia GAP Insurance Cover?
Kia GAP insurance covers any remaining loan balance that’s left over once your auto insurance pays out the claim from a total loss or the theft of your vehicle.
Let’s look at an example.
Let’s say you bought a Kia Telluride for $45,000 six months ago, putting down $5,000 and financing the other $45,000 with a 72-month auto loan.
Unfortunately, a tornado struck, causing extensive damage to your car. You report the incident to your auto insurance company, which deems the vehicle a total loss and covers the claim under your comprehensive insurance coverage. But, when you receive the check from the insurance company, it’s only for $35,000, the current market value of the car.
In this scenario, without GAP insurance, you’d still owe $5,000 on your loan even though you don’t have the car anymore.
GAP insurance is what protects you from having to pay the remaining amount on your loan in the event of a total loss like this. This is how all GAP insurance works, including Kia’s.
What Doesn’t Kia GAP Insurance Cover?
Kia GAP protection is useful for restoring you financially when your auto insurance payout falls short of covering your full loan balance. With that in mind, it’s important to recognize some common GAP insurance exclusions. GAP insurance won’t provide coverage for:
- Overdue payments
- Penalties or interest charges due to non-payment or late payments
- Any additional products included in your GAP agreement, such as extended warranties
- Any additional loan balances added to your original vehicle loan
- Losses intentionally caused by the vehicle owner
- Claims denied by your auto insurance company
- Repairs to your vehicle after an accident or due to wear and tear
- Any personal liability
- Any payments toward a new vehicle
- Your loan balance after your car is repossessed (and the redemption period has passed)
When is it smart to cancel my Kia GAP policy?
Though you might make a personal decision to cancel your GAP insurance at any time, it’s generally a good idea to cancel your GAP coverage if you find yourself in one of the following five situations:
- You purchased a new GAP policy elsewhere
- You paid off your car loan
- You sold your car
- You traded in your vehicle for another one
- Your car’s actual cash value is greater than your auto loan balance
FAQs
What happens when I cancel KIA GAP coverage?
When you cancel Kia GAP coverage, you’ll no longer be protected in the event your car is totaled or stolen, and your auto insurance fails to cover the full amount of your loan balance.
Can I cancel GAP insurance if my Kia is financed?
You can usually cancel GAP insurance on your Kia even if it’s financed, though some lenders may require you to maintain GAP insurance as part of your loan agreement.
When is GAP insurance no longer worthwhile?
GAP insurance is no longer useful or worthwhile if you no longer have an auto loan or if your car’s actual cash value significantly exceeds your loan balance.
Will I get a refund if I cancel Kia GAP coverage?
If you cancel your GAP coverage within 30 days of purchasing your policy, you should get a full refund of your GAP premium. If you cancel more than 30 days after buying GAP coverage, you’re entitled to a prorated refund for any unused portion of the policy (a cancellation fee may apply).
Can I cancel both GAP and extended warranty coverage?
GAP insurance and extended warranty coverage are optional, and you can cancel one or both of these policies at any time.
What is the maximum Kia GAP coverage amount?
Fidelity Warranty Services (Kia’s GAP partner) has a maximum waiver that covers up to $50,000 on its GAP policies (though if your loan balance after an auto insurance claim is less, GAP will only pay the remaining loan balance).
Where else can I buy GAP insurance?
While many car buyers purchase GAP insurance at the dealership out of convenience, you can also purchase GAP coverage from a variety of auto insurance providers, such as Allstate, Progressive and Nationwide.
If you’re shopping around for GAP insurance, you might notice that some companies use a term other than GAP insurance to describe this type of coverage. Other names for GAP insurance include Payoff Protector, GAP waiver, and loan/lease payoff coverage.
How long is GAP insurance coverage valid?
Many GAP insurance policies last for the full duration of the loan. 7 years is a common limit on your Kia GAP coverage, but make sure to check your GAP agreement since each policy can vary. GAP insurance is also a single-use product, so your coverage will end if a GAP claim is paid out.
Sources
Ryles, Tim. “Probing the Gaps in GAP Insurance.” IRMI.com, June 2005.
Fidelity Warranty Services. “Total Loss Protection Plan (GAP) Waiver Plan Overview.” Fidelity Warranty Services, 2022. Accessed Dec. 2022.
Altoona Courtesy Kia. “Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP).” Accessed Dec. 2022.
Nationwide. “Gap Insurance Coverage.” 2022. Accessed Dec. 2022.
Fidelity Warranty Services, Inc. “Frequently Asked Questions.” 2022. Accessed Dec. 2022.
Jonathan is a writer with over 10 years of experience and a former insurance agent. Jonathan’s focus is to simplify personal finance and help equip you with the tools you need to make smart financial decisions. Despite the criticisms, he remains committed to driving a manual transmission and prides himself on smooth shifting, even in rush-hour traffic.
