Get the GAP refund your dealer owes you
Paid off your car early? You're probably owed money back on GAP insurance — and nobody's going to remind you.
Estimated refund you're owed
GAP Refund Kit — get your money back
A ready-to-send demand letter (with your numbers filled in), the exact steps to send it to your dealer/lender, and what to do if they stall. Most refunds are far more than the kit costs.
Get the GAP Refund KitHow to get your GAP refund from the dealership
If you paid off, refinanced, sold, or totaled your car before the loan term ended, the unused portion of your GAP premium is refundable — but almost nobody hands it to you. Here's how to claim it in five steps:
- Confirm you qualify. You bought GAP with the loan, and the loan ended early (payoff, refinance, sale, or total loss) before the original term.
- Find who sold you the policy. Usually the dealership's finance office or the lender. Check your loan documents for the GAP contract and the amount you paid.
- Calculate the unused premium. Use the calculator above — unused months ÷ total term × what you paid.
- Send a written request. A short demand letter with your payoff date, the amount, and a request for the prorated refund. Keep a copy. (Our kit fills this in for you.)
- Follow up and escalate. If the dealer stalls, escalate to the lender in writing, then your state insurance or consumer-protection office. Written records win.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Refund rules vary by contract and state — confirm your specifics.
GAP refund: FAQ
Am I owed a GAP insurance refund?
If you bought GAP insurance with your auto loan and then paid off, refinanced, or totaled/sold the car before the loan term ended, you are usually owed a refund for the unused portion — often $200–$700. Dealers rarely tell you.
How do I get a GAP refund?
Send a written request (a "demand letter") to whoever sold you the GAP policy — usually the dealer or lender — citing your payoff date and requesting the prorated unused premium. Our free tool generates that letter.
How much is a GAP refund?
It's prorated: the unused months of coverage divided by the total term, times what you paid for GAP. Use the calculator below to estimate yours.
Is there a deadline?
Many states require refunds within a set window and some auto-refund, but many don't — so it's on you to request it. Don't wait; request in writing and keep records.
How do I request a refund for GAP insurance from the dealership?
Contact the dealer or lender that sold you the GAP policy in writing, state your loan payoff or vehicle sale date, and request the prorated refund of the unused premium. Ask for it in writing and keep a copy — a short demand letter works best, which our tool generates.
Can a dealership refuse to cancel GAP insurance or a refund?
They can stall, but a legitimate refund for unused coverage is generally owed once the loan ends early. If a dealer refuses or ignores you, escalate in writing to the lender, then your state insurance or consumer-protection office. A written demand letter with your numbers usually gets it moving.
How long does it take to get a GAP refund check?
Commonly a few weeks to about 6–8 weeks after you request it, depending on the dealer, lender, and state. Requesting promptly and in writing — and following up — is the fastest path.
Do you ever actually get money back from GAP insurance?
Yes — if you paid off, refinanced, sold, or totaled the car before the loan term ended, the unused portion of the GAP premium is refundable. Most people simply never ask, which is exactly why dealers rarely remind you.