As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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Gap insurance — short for “guaranteed asset protection” — is an optional form of insurance designed for drivers who lease or finance a vehicle. For example, if your financed car is a total loss after an accident, gap insurance helps ensure you aren’t still on the hook for auto loan payments once your car is unusable.
Several car insurance companies in Illinois offer gap insurance at competitive rates. Read on to learn more about what gap insurance covers, which drivers should buy it, how to buy it, and the best companies for gap insurance in Illinois. And remember to always compare car insurance quotes from multiple companies before buying a policy.
Quick Facts
You can buy gap insurance from your dealership, auto lender, or insurance company.
Most major auto insurers offer some form of gap insurance, though specifics may vary from company to company.
Leasing companies generally require drivers to carry gap insurance.
What is gap insurance, and how does it work?
It’s just reality: A car loses value the moment you drive it off the lot.
So, if you finance your vehicle and only put down a small deposit at the time of purchase, you can potentially owe more on the car than its actual market value (AMV). You’re still paying off a loan worth that original purchase price, even as your vehicle has lost value. In this case, you’re “underwater” on your car loan.
Things can get complicated if you get in an accident that badly damages your vehicle. If your car is totaled, standard car insurance policies will cover the car’s market value, which has depreciated since you bought it — but you’ll still owe loan payments on the full price of the car.
That’s where gap insurance comes in. Gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s market value and the remaining loan in the event of a total loss. This coverage ensures you aren’t still paying car payments if you damage your car beyond repair.
Gap insurance is a good idea if you put a low down payment on your car (typically less than 20%) or if your loan term is more than 60 months. Also, anyone who leases a vehicle should consider gap insurance (and is sometimes required to carry gap insurance).[1]
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4.8/5
What gap insurance covers in Illinois
Gap insurance covers the difference between the amount you owe on your car loan and the market value of your vehicle.
For example, say you purchase a car for $30,000. You pay a down payment of $5,000 and owe $25,000 on your car loan. Unfortunately, a few months into your loan, you total your vehicle. At the time of the accident, your car was worth $23,000 — but you still owe $25,000 on your loan, which means you still have to pay $2,000 for a car that’s unusable.
Gap insurance helps you pay this $2,000. Gap insurance differs from other forms of insurance in that it doesn’t have a deductible. So, the full claim amount will be paid out. You shouldn’t have to pay a portion of your remaining loan balance out of pocket.
You don’t want to be on the hook for additional loan payments after a car is totaled. Gap insurance helps you avoid that scenario.
Important Information
Gap insurance only applies to your remaining loan balance. Your gap insurance policy won’t cover the cost of replacing your totaled vehicle with a new one. New-car replacement coverage, which is also optional, provides coverage for the purchase of a new vehicle of the same year, make, and model after your original vehicle is totaled.
Gap insurance also doesn’t cover overdue loan payment fees, lease penalties, or the down payment for a new vehicle after your car is totaled.
In Illinois, full coverage refers to an auto insurance policy that includes liability coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage. Together, it covers repairs to both the other driver’s vehicle and your own vehicle in the event of a car accident.
If you purchase full-coverage car insurance, you shouldn’t assume it includes gap insurance. In most cases, you’ll want to purchase gap insurance as a separate add-on coverage. Gap insurance can improve full coverage by covering your remaining loan balance.
Who needs gap insurance in Illinois?
Drivers in Illinois must carry liability car insurance, including $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 in property damage liability insurance. But Illinois has no laws requiring drivers to carry gap insurance.[2]
That means gap insurance is an optional coverage that should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Below are a few cases that might call for gap insurance:
The Illinois Insurance Association recommends gap insurance for drivers who finance a new car with a long repayment period.[3]
Drivers who purchase cars that tend to depreciate quickly — such as a brand-new luxury car — should purchase gap insurance.
Drivers who are carrying over negative equity from a previous loan to the loan on their current car should purchase gap insurance.[1]
Gap insurance adds to your monthly car insurance payments, so you should consider it carefully before purchasing. For instance, drivers who put down a sizable down payment and have a short repayment term probably don’t need gap insurance. In that case, your car’s actual cash value might still exceed your loan balance, so you’re unlikely to be underwater on your loan.
Additionally, drivers who own their car outright have no need for gap insurance. You won’t have a remaining loan balance after a total loss, so you won’t need insurance to cover the difference.
Talk to your car insurance agent to see if you’re a good candidate for gap insurance. Occasionally, your lender will suggest or even require gap insurance before approval of your loan.
Drivers have a few different ways to go about buying gap insurance. Your car dealership may offer gap insurance to you after you purchase the car, which will be included in the car’s price.[1] You can also purchase it from your auto lender, who will include it in your car loan. For instance, State Farm automatically includes Payoff Protector in all its auto loans.[4]
You can also purchase gap insurance as you would any other optional insurance add-on — by speaking to your insurance agent and adding the coverage to your existing auto policy.
Best gap insurance companies in Illinois
Several insurance companies in Illinois offer gap coverage. The following companies offer the best combination of low rates and high customer satisfaction scores.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.5/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$29/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$45/mo
Auto-Owners offers the lowest average rates in Illinois, at $29 per month for liability coverage. These affordable rates make Auto-Owners one of the best options for drivers seeking gap insurance.
Speak to your local agent at Auto-Owners to learn about specific gap coverage rates and whether you’re a good candidate for this add-on insurance.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.3/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$31/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$49/mo
State Farm’s gap insurance product is known as Payoff Protector. Despite the different name, Payoff Protector functions the same as typical gap insurance, covering the difference between your car’s market value and the outstanding principal balance on your loan.
State Farm’s average rate of $31 per month for liability coverage shows just how affordable State Farm’s rates are, even after you’ve added additional optional coverages.
Pros
High rates of customer satisfaction
Rideshare insurance available
Cons
May not be the cheapest choice for drivers with violations
Gap insurance only available through Payoff Protector program
The initial representative lied to me about the price of the policy. I'm paying $30 more a month than was quoted.
Matthew - July 25, 2024
Verified
Abandoned by State Farm
It was a negative experience. After 15 years with the company, I was dismissed due to two car accidents on my record, both of which had been previously reported as not my fault. They refused to communicate with me afterwards. I would advise others to consider this before choosing State Farm.
Janet - July 25, 2024
Verified
Too High
I have had State Farm for 5 years and have been very happy until this last renewal. My full coverage insurance jumped up by $400. This is why I keep looking for cheaper insurance.
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.0/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$48/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$74/mo
Erie has some of the most affordable rates around. Additionally, Erie coverage provides gap insurance for only a small increase to your premium — though it won’t cover balances you carry over from a previous loan.[5]
Pros
Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and A.M. Best ratings
Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets
Cons
Available in only 12 states
Customers can’t buy a policy or file a claim online
They completely ignore written instructions from higher-ups. Also, agents at the local establishment seem to be dishonest to cover their mistakes.
Eduard - July 24, 2024
Verified
Price, Service, Coverage - Everything is Very Good
Everything is as expected.
Teresa - July 23, 2024
Verified
Erie Insurance is a Great Insurance
I've been with Erie for about 20 years now. They are great when it comes to answering questions and handling anything that I need. I was only comparing different insurance quotes, but I will be staying with Erie.
…
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Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page. The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, and demographic information.
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates. With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums. The data included on this page represent averages across driver ages, genders, credit scores, and driver profiles for Illinois drivers.
Gap insurance in Illinois FAQs
Below, you’ll find answers to some commonly asked questions about gap insurance in Illinois.
Does Illinois require gap insurance?
No. Illinois doesn’t require gap insurance. Illinois drivers only need to carry liability insurance at the 25/50/20 state minimums.
How much is gap insurance in Illinois?
Gap insurance usually costs about $20 per month, though this varies by company.[1] Contact your local auto insurance agent to figure out the costs of gap insurance. Typically, companies with lower rates on overall car insurance will have more affordable gap coverage.
Be sure to ask your agent if there are payout caps or other limitations you should know about.
What are the pros and cons of gap insurance?
Gap insurance offers guaranteed financial protection to drivers who are financing their vehicles and ensures you won’t be on the hook for the remaining balance on your loan after a total loss. Still, gap insurance adds another monthly expense to your insurance costs — so make sure it’s worth the money before purchasing.
Is gap insurance worth it?
Consider your specific situation before deciding if gap insurance is worth it. If you put down a small down payment — for instance, less than 20% of your total loan — and have a loan repayment period, gap insurance is likely worth it. If you’ve paid off most of your loan, it’s unlikely you’ll be severely underwater on your loan, so gap insurance might not be worth it.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
A.M. is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content marketing strategist who's worked with major brands in insurance, tech, finance, and healthcare. He also contributes to The Average Joe, a personal finance newsletter that reaches over 250,000 daily readers. Since 2019, he's written for Insurify, breaking down a diverse range of insurance topics into crisp, readable prose.
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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