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What’s car replacement assistance?

If your car is totaled or stolen, you’ll get 20% more than its actual cash value. You can use the money however you want, whether you have a car loan or not.

How’s it different from gap insurance?

Gap insurance covers the difference between what your car is worth and what you owe on your car loan. But it doesn’t cover anything beyond that.

What does it cover?

To find out if you have car replacement assistance, review your policy.

Covered

  • An owned or financed vehicle on your auto insurance policy

  • Cars, trucks, SUVs and vans that have both comprehensive and collision coverage

  • When you're in an accident and your vehicle is declared a total loss

  • When your car is stolen and isn't recovered

Not covered

  • Leased vehicles or vehicles you don't own

  • Your deductible after you file a claim

  • Mechanical issues like a faulty transmission, radiator or battery

  • Medical costs, lost wages and property your auto policy typically covers in other ways

Why get car replacement assistance?

Car replacement assistance goes beyond standard gap insurance.

Get 20% more than actual cash value.

This extra cash can help you pay off your car loan or put a down payment on a new vehicle.

Add coverage any time.

Your vehicle can be any age, and you don’t have to be the original owner.

Pay no interest.

This coverage isn’t rolled into a loan, so you won’t pay interest on the cost.

How does car replacement assistance work?

If you owe more than your car is worth

Let’s say your car is worth $18,000 but you owe $21,500. Your insurance would pay your lender $17,500, which is the actual cash value minus a $500 deductible.

Car replacement assistance would pay you an additional $3,600, which is 20% of your car’s actual cash value.

If your car is worth more than you owe

You owe $15,000 on your car when it's totaled. The actual cash value of your car is $18,000. Your insurance would pay your lender $17,500, which is the actual cash value minus a $500 deductible. Your lender would return the extra $2,500 to you.

Car replacement assistance would pay you an additional $3,600, which is 20% of your car’s actual cash value.

Other coverage you can add to your auto policy

Here are a few more options to consider adding to your car insurance coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage

Some states require uninsured and underinsured coverage. Even if they don’t, it can help protect your finances.

Rental reimbursement

Get help renting a car if yours is in the shop for repairs after a covered loss.‍ ‍ See note 1

Roadside assistance

If you need a tow, have a dead battery or run out of gas, you can get help with roadside assistance.‍ ‍ See note 2

Learn more about auto loans and insurance.

What happens when your car is totaled?

Article: 8 minutes

Read article What happens when your car is totaled?

What you need to know about car loans

Article: 4 minutes

Read article: What you need to know about car loans

Dealing with an upside down car loan?

Article: 4 minutes

Read article: Dealing with an upside down car loan?

Related footnotes:

  1. IN PENNSYLVANIA, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL A PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE ADVERTISED HEREIN.

Related footnotes:

  1. Rental Reimbursement and Transportation Expenses are additional coverages and require additional premium. Restrictions apply.

  2. USAA Roadside Assistance™ is part of USAA Towing and Labor coverage and applies to covered vehicles only. USAA Roadside Assistance is provided through Agero Services Corp. NOTE: If you need to use Roadside Assistance for an insured vehicle that does not have USAA Towing and Labor coverage, you will be responsible for all charges and services performed. Roadside Assistance coverage does not cover the cost of repair parts. Additional premium required for towing and labor coverage with Roadside Assistance.

Related footnotes:

  1. Membership eligibility and product restrictions apply and are subject to change.

  2. Coverage descriptions are brief and subject to the terms and conditions of your insurance policy. Read your insurance policy for details. Applications subject to underwriting.

  3. Property and casualty insurance underwritten by United Services Automobile Association (USAA), USAA Casualty Insurance Company, USAA General Indemnity Company, Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Company, NOBLR Reciprocal Exchange, based in San Antonio, Texas; USAA EU DAC (Europe), and USAA S.A. UK Branch (pending cancellation to align with the pending branch authorization application) and is available only to persons eligible for property and casualty group membership. Each company has sole financial responsibility for its own products.

    Coverages subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.

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