Promoted: Free 30-day GAP policy for PHers with ALA
Discussion
Hello from ALA Insurance, PistonHeads’ new GAP insurance partner!
For those of you that don’t already know us, we’re an online GAP insurance specialist and have been providing an alternative to dealer-sold policies for almost 10 years. We also have other products including Scratch and Dent, Alloy Wheel, Tyre, Excess and Key insurance.
The partnership came about because PistonHeads noticed that you guys have been talking about ALA for a number of years and some of you have bought from us. As with most partnerships we want something that will benefit everyone so we’re hoping this not only helps support the site but passes savings on to all you PHers (and needless to say a bit of business coming our way never hurts!)
We’re a family run company and we pride ourselves on excellent customer service. We won’t be using the forum to push the hard sell (and I'm pretty sure we wouldn't last that long here if we did). Our aim with this is to give consultative advice on GAP insurance generally, as we know it can be quite a complicated product.
So if you don’t know your BTI from your VRI or why you even need GAP in the first place, and then give us a shout, we’ll be happy to help!
Come and check us out on www.ala.co.uk/pistonheads/ and as we know you tend to like a discount we’ll be giving 10% off for all you PHers – just use PH10 on the quote page.
If you need anything just drop me a line.
Thanks,
Katie
katie@ala.co.uk
01653 916304
For those of you that don’t already know us, we’re an online GAP insurance specialist and have been providing an alternative to dealer-sold policies for almost 10 years. We also have other products including Scratch and Dent, Alloy Wheel, Tyre, Excess and Key insurance.
The partnership came about because PistonHeads noticed that you guys have been talking about ALA for a number of years and some of you have bought from us. As with most partnerships we want something that will benefit everyone so we’re hoping this not only helps support the site but passes savings on to all you PHers (and needless to say a bit of business coming our way never hurts!)
We’re a family run company and we pride ourselves on excellent customer service. We won’t be using the forum to push the hard sell (and I'm pretty sure we wouldn't last that long here if we did). Our aim with this is to give consultative advice on GAP insurance generally, as we know it can be quite a complicated product.
So if you don’t know your BTI from your VRI or why you even need GAP in the first place, and then give us a shout, we’ll be happy to help!
Come and check us out on www.ala.co.uk/pistonheads/ and as we know you tend to like a discount we’ll be giving 10% off for all you PHers – just use PH10 on the quote page.
If you need anything just drop me a line.
Thanks,
Katie
katie@ala.co.uk
01653 916304
Edited by samliggett on Wednesday 28th February 21:03
Thanks eybic.
Hi Fake7, that's what I'm here for
GAP insurance is there to top up your comprehensive insurance settlement if your car is written off/ a total loss (accident, theft, fire, flood damage)
It's useful because almost all cars depreciate in value, which means any payment from your insurer is likely to be less than you originally paid for your car. The top up from the GAP policy means you're back in the same position you were in when you first bought the car. It's especially useful if you have finance, as sometimes your insurer's settlement won't be enough to cover the finance balance and it means you're not left with money to pay on a car that has been written off.
Let me know if you'd like more detail - this is a very broad description of GAP and there are a few different types of policies out there depending on your needs.
If there's anything else please let me know
Katie
Hi Fake7, that's what I'm here for
GAP insurance is there to top up your comprehensive insurance settlement if your car is written off/ a total loss (accident, theft, fire, flood damage)It's useful because almost all cars depreciate in value, which means any payment from your insurer is likely to be less than you originally paid for your car. The top up from the GAP policy means you're back in the same position you were in when you first bought the car. It's especially useful if you have finance, as sometimes your insurer's settlement won't be enough to cover the finance balance and it means you're not left with money to pay on a car that has been written off.
Let me know if you'd like more detail - this is a very broad description of GAP and there are a few different types of policies out there depending on your needs.
If there's anything else please let me know
Katie
glad we could help!Hi LordGrover
The "usual" GAP insurance policies (Back to Invoice/Vehicle Replacement) can be bought for used as well as new cars. Back to Invoice can be bought for cars up to 10 years of age and Vehicle Replacement for cars up to 7 years old. However they are time-limited, in that they have to be bought within 180 days of the taking ownership of your car.
There is another policy that we may be able to offer - if you'd like to PM me I can run through the details with you and get you a quote to see if it's something you would be interested in
Thanks
Katie
The "usual" GAP insurance policies (Back to Invoice/Vehicle Replacement) can be bought for used as well as new cars. Back to Invoice can be bought for cars up to 10 years of age and Vehicle Replacement for cars up to 7 years old. However they are time-limited, in that they have to be bought within 180 days of the taking ownership of your car.
There is another policy that we may be able to offer - if you'd like to PM me I can run through the details with you and get you a quote to see if it's something you would be interested in
Thanks
Katie
Sorry for the delay - new registrations are making the office a bit chaotic!
Moose1978, let me know if I've misunderstood, but it sounds like you're on a contract hire agreement where you pay an amount each month, hand the car back at the end and start again.
If this is the case you would need Contract Hire GAP. If your car is written off the GAP policy covers up to 100% of outstanding monthly payments. We also cover any difference between your insurer's payout and the amount the finance/lease company are expecting for the value of the car if there's a shortfall.
zeDuffMan - thank you! We always look VERY cheap in comparison to the dealers but as you've said you're getting a better level of cover they just charge a bit too much! Hopefully you'll never need it but we do get excellent feedback from our customers that have made a claim.
Vacumatic - I'm sure there are a few people who've had to use their GAP insurance and will be happy to give you some feedback we do have some video claims testimonials here from actual customers if these help at all!
Just on the topic of new for old, there are a number of insurers that offer this for brand new cars where you're the first registered owner. However if you have your car on a contract hire or lease agreement, as far as we understand it, this wouldn't benefit you that much, as even after the insurer's settlement you could still owe any monthly payments for the car left under the contract. This means that even if your insurer paid new for old you could still be left covering the rest of the finance.
This may not be the same on PCP or HP finance, or if you own your car outright, but GAP insurance has to be bought within 180 days of taking delivery of your car. There are some companies that offer deferred GAP policies where cover starts in year two but if for any reason your insurer only pays market value rather than new for old in the first year you won't be able to claim on the GAP. We don't offer deferred policies and recommend having GAP insurance from the beginning - it's a bit "belt and braces" but we do give you a FOC brand new policy matching the original if you do have a first year write off and your insurer pays new for old.
Hope this helps but anything else please let me know
Thanks,
Katie
Moose1978, let me know if I've misunderstood, but it sounds like you're on a contract hire agreement where you pay an amount each month, hand the car back at the end and start again.
If this is the case you would need Contract Hire GAP. If your car is written off the GAP policy covers up to 100% of outstanding monthly payments. We also cover any difference between your insurer's payout and the amount the finance/lease company are expecting for the value of the car if there's a shortfall.
zeDuffMan - thank you! We always look VERY cheap in comparison to the dealers but as you've said you're getting a better level of cover
they just charge a bit too much! Hopefully you'll never need it but we do get excellent feedback from our customers that have made a claim. Vacumatic - I'm sure there are a few people who've had to use their GAP insurance and will be happy to give you some feedback
we do have some video claims testimonials here from actual customers if these help at all! Just on the topic of new for old, there are a number of insurers that offer this for brand new cars where you're the first registered owner. However if you have your car on a contract hire or lease agreement, as far as we understand it, this wouldn't benefit you that much, as even after the insurer's settlement you could still owe any monthly payments for the car left under the contract. This means that even if your insurer paid new for old you could still be left covering the rest of the finance.
This may not be the same on PCP or HP finance, or if you own your car outright, but GAP insurance has to be bought within 180 days of taking delivery of your car. There are some companies that offer deferred GAP policies where cover starts in year two but if for any reason your insurer only pays market value rather than new for old in the first year you won't be able to claim on the GAP. We don't offer deferred policies and recommend having GAP insurance from the beginning - it's a bit "belt and braces" but we do give you a FOC brand new policy matching the original if you do have a first year write off and your insurer pays new for old.
Hope this helps but anything else please let me know
Thanks,
Katie
knitware - 
that's great, thank you!
Hi TroubledSoul, hopefully I can help make that a bit clearer. The difference between them is very slight and mostly down to personal preference.
First of all, whichever policy you decide to take, if the finance settlement figure is the higher amount at the time of a total loss this is the amount we will pay up to to from your insurer's settlement so that you are not left with any finance on a car you no longer have.
If you have a Back to Invoice policy and the invoice price is more than the outstanding finance, it will pay the difference between the settlement from your comprehensive motor insurer and the original cash price of the car, so the top up is up to the amount shown on your purchase invoice.
Alternatively if you have the Vehicle Replacement policy this will pay the difference up to the replacement cost of another 2.5 year old vehicle of the same make, model, specification and mileage as the car you are collecting on Saturday, even if that is more than you originally paid. It is protecting you from price rises and so could be more than the invoice price you paid. Also, if you have had any discounts on the original purchase price this protects you in the event that is not available next time.
The money from either policy is paid to you directly, it is just the amount we pay up to that varies depending upon which policy you choose. Once you have received settlement from us and your insurer, the finance can then be cleared and any monies remaining are yours to use as you wish.
If you're happy to be paid up the invoice price and are not worried about price increases, then Back to Invoice would be perfectly suitable for you. If you're concerned the car might cost more in the future then the Vehicle Replacement would be a better option.
I know you've spoken to my colleague in the meantime but hopefully this will help anyone in the same position.
Any other questions please let me know
Thanks
Katie
that's great, thank you!Hi TroubledSoul, hopefully I can help make that a bit clearer. The difference between them is very slight and mostly down to personal preference.
First of all, whichever policy you decide to take, if the finance settlement figure is the higher amount at the time of a total loss this is the amount we will pay up to to from your insurer's settlement so that you are not left with any finance on a car you no longer have.
If you have a Back to Invoice policy and the invoice price is more than the outstanding finance, it will pay the difference between the settlement from your comprehensive motor insurer and the original cash price of the car, so the top up is up to the amount shown on your purchase invoice.
Alternatively if you have the Vehicle Replacement policy this will pay the difference up to the replacement cost of another 2.5 year old vehicle of the same make, model, specification and mileage as the car you are collecting on Saturday, even if that is more than you originally paid. It is protecting you from price rises and so could be more than the invoice price you paid. Also, if you have had any discounts on the original purchase price this protects you in the event that is not available next time.
The money from either policy is paid to you directly, it is just the amount we pay up to that varies depending upon which policy you choose. Once you have received settlement from us and your insurer, the finance can then be cleared and any monies remaining are yours to use as you wish.
If you're happy to be paid up the invoice price and are not worried about price increases, then Back to Invoice would be perfectly suitable for you. If you're concerned the car might cost more in the future then the Vehicle Replacement would be a better option.
I know you've spoken to my colleague in the meantime but hopefully this will help anyone in the same position.
Any other questions please let me know
Thanks
Katie
No problem Moose1978, if you follow this link you'll be able to get a quote.
Where it asks for cost of car use either the vehicle list price or its P11d value, select the length of policy you need and the system will suggest a level of cover/GAP claim limit. With this last part you can tailor it further to your requirements; we base it on your total payments over the course of the contract with a bit extra on top for residual value, but this may vary depending upon your individual contract.
Anything else drop me a line
Thanks,
Katie
Where it asks for cost of car use either the vehicle list price or its P11d value, select the length of policy you need and the system will suggest a level of cover/GAP claim limit. With this last part you can tailor it further to your requirements; we base it on your total payments over the course of the contract with a bit extra on top for residual value, but this may vary depending upon your individual contract.
Anything else drop me a line
Thanks,
Katie
Hi Dolf Stoppard
If you're looking at the Vehicle Replacement + policy and the car is pre-registered you would need to use the price that you've paid rather than the full list price.
To explain, when your car has already been registered to the dealer it is no longer brand new. If you claimed we would top up your insurer's settlement to cost of replacing you car with a pre-registered car of the same make, model, specification age and mileage as the car you originally purchased.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks,
Katie
If you're looking at the Vehicle Replacement + policy and the car is pre-registered you would need to use the price that you've paid rather than the full list price.
To explain, when your car has already been registered to the dealer it is no longer brand new. If you claimed we would top up your insurer's settlement to cost of replacing you car with a pre-registered car of the same make, model, specification age and mileage as the car you originally purchased.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks,
Katie
Hi mark944gold
You're right, that government grant for EVs isn't going to be available forever and this why we suggest the Vehicle Replacement + policy rather than the Back to Invoice +. This is because the Vehicle Replacement policy will pay up to the replacement cost of another brand new Nissan Leaf, even if it is more than you originally paid. This means that should the grant be withdrawn you can still get the same vehicle without having to pay the extra cost. If you're getting a quote online you would use the full list price.
I hope this helps if you have any other questions please get in touch.
Thanks,
Katie
You're right, that government grant for EVs isn't going to be available forever and this why we suggest the Vehicle Replacement + policy rather than the Back to Invoice +. This is because the Vehicle Replacement policy will pay up to the replacement cost of another brand new Nissan Leaf, even if it is more than you originally paid. This means that should the grant be withdrawn you can still get the same vehicle without having to pay the extra cost. If you're getting a quote online you would use the full list price.
I hope this helps
if you have any other questions please get in touch.Thanks,
Katie
Hi oilslick
We can do that for you so that you can take advantage of the discount, as long as the vehicle falls within the other limitations of the policy in terms of mileage etc. The system won't allow you to proceed online with a start date that is more than 30 days in advance so if you would like proceed with a quote and to run through the details please feel free to contact me on 01653 916301 or by email katie@ala.co.uk
Many thanks,
Katie
We can do that for you so that you can take advantage of the discount, as long as the vehicle falls within the other limitations of the policy in terms of mileage etc. The system won't allow you to proceed online with a start date that is more than 30 days in advance so if you would like proceed with a quote and to run through the details please feel free to contact me on 01653 916301 or by email katie@ala.co.uk
Many thanks,
Katie
Hi Rick101
You're right, comprehensive insurers do tend to only offer new for old for the first year of ownership (and it isn't always the best thing to rely on with a lease car, but that's another story!)
It may be something we can cover for the remaining year but it would probably be easiest to speak about it directly, as the website won't allow you to get a quote after 1 year.
Please contact me on 01653 916301 or by email katie@ala.co.uk and we can run through the details
Many thanks,
Katie
You're right, comprehensive insurers do tend to only offer new for old for the first year of ownership (and it isn't always the best thing to rely on with a lease car, but that's another story!)
It may be something we can cover for the remaining year but it would probably be easiest to speak about it directly, as the website won't allow you to get a quote after 1 year.
Please contact me on 01653 916301 or by email katie@ala.co.uk and we can run through the details
Many thanks,
Katie
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