Last year in November, we traded in a 2019 Nissan Kicks with 43k miles. It had a bad transmission, so we rolled over $3k of debt to a 2019 Toyota Camry with 59k miles. Sadly, in April 2024, the Camry was totaled in an accident, and it was our fault. My partner hurt his back and knee, making it hard to keep working. Insurance paid $16k, and we’ve been waiting on GAP to cover the remaining $8k, but we needed a police report. We’ve tried calling, emailing, and even waited for mail since April, but nothing’s come through. Our GAP policy is expiring in 3 days, and we can’t afford to keep making the car payments. Should we just let it go to collections? We’re young, just had a baby, and I’m losing sleep over this debt. If it goes to collections, will it ruin our chances of getting a new car in the future? Really worried about what to do here.
The coverage depends on the accident date, not when the policy ends. So, even if your GAP is expiring, they still owe you if you were covered when the accident happened. But they might try to drag it out. I’d suggest going in person to get that report—don’t leave until you have it in hand. Offer to wait if they say it’ll take time.
@Brier
Exactly, you shouldn’t still be paying for a GAP policy on a car that’s been totaled. As long as you were covered on the date of the accident, they owe you.
Monty said:
@Brier
Exactly, you shouldn’t still be paying for a GAP policy on a car that’s been totaled. As long as you were covered on the date of the accident, they owe you.
I actually managed to get a refund on premiums paid after the accident date.
@pearl
You can also get a refund if you sell, pay off, or trade in a car during the policy. But usually, it’s on you to cancel the GAP and ask for the refund.
@Brier
Backing this 100%. I work with claims, and we get cases from previous years all the time. Your coverage should apply as long as the accident date falls within the policy period. If you’re unsure, ask an agent to explain it to you.
@Brier
If all else fails, bring your baby with you—might just get them to move faster.
Insurance coverage would be based on the dates of the accident not current dates.
Technically true, but insurance companies will often try to avoid payouts if they can. They may claim you need to have an active policy to settle past claims, which isn’t true, but they’ll do it to save money unless you push back. It can be tough if you’re not familiar with how insurance works.
I’d suggest going directly to the police department in person and getting the report. That way they can’t keep giving you the runaround.
Zen said:
I’d suggest going directly to the police department in person and getting the report. That way they can’t keep giving you the runaround.
Anyone else think the original post reads a bit… off?
@Harlan
Yeah, it does seem like the story isn’t super clear. Maybe just how they write.
Westley said:
@Harlan
Yeah, it does seem like the story isn’t super clear. Maybe just how they write.
Seems like they’re struggling with more than just writing. Just sounds like they’re overwhelmed by life right now.
Westley said:
@Harlan
Yeah, it does seem like the story isn’t super clear. Maybe just how they write.
Wait, what exactly would go to collections here?
@Harlan
The extra spaces before punctuation are definitely strange.
@Harlan
Honestly, I didn’t notice at first. Does it really matter though?
Mika said:
@Harlan
Honestly, I didn’t notice at first. Does it really matter though?
Reads kinda like it was written by an AI.
@Harlan
They did say they’re young and just had a baby. Maybe that’s why?
You’ve been waiting since April? That seems odd.
Jem said:
You’ve been waiting since April? That seems odd.
If there were fatalities or serious injuries, it can sometimes take over a year to finalize the report.