How Much Is Gap Insurance? 2026 Costs From Insurers vs Dealers
Gap insurance costs $20–$60 a year from your auto insurer or $400–$900 as a one-time dealer add-on. Here is what you actually pay, who needs it, and how to buy it for less.
What it really costs to own, insure and maintain a car
Gap insurance costs $20–$60 a year from your auto insurer or $400–$900 as a one-time dealer add-on. Here is what you actually pay, who needs it, and how to buy it for less.
Gap insurance only pays in a total loss or theft — and even then, late payments, rolled-in negative equity, deductibles and extended warranties are often excluded. Here are the nine situations where gap pays nothing or far less than you expect.
A car AC recharge costs $150–$300, a leak repair $250–$900, and a compressor replacement $900–$2,500. Here is what each AC problem costs, how to tell which one you have, and how to avoid paying for the wrong fix.