GAP Insurance Case Study – £6,793 Shortfall Covered on VW Tiguan Write-Off

Case Study: How GAP Insurance Covered a £6,793 Shortfall on a VW Tiguan Write-Off in less than 8 months of ownership

Here we take you through a recent GAP Insurance claim for one of our customers*. 

Quick Summary

Background

In July 2024, Andrew purchased a nearly new Volkswagen Tiguan for £36,000. Aware that new cars lose value quickly, especially in the first year, he decided to protect herself with a Return to Invoice GAP Insurance policy.

For less than £100, her policy would cover any difference between the car insurer’s write-off valuation and what she originally paid, valid for up to two years.  

The Incident

On 26 February 2025, just over seven months into ownership, Andrew’s Tiguan was declared a total loss by his motor insurer. While the incident wasn’t his fault, the reality of vehicle depreciation soon became clear.

His motor insurer offered the market value for the vehicle at the time, which was far less than he had paid just a few months before.

That left him £6,793 short of what he’d paid just months earlier.

The GAP Insurance Payout

Here’s how the figures stacked up:

• Original purchase price: £36,000

• Insurer’s total loss settlement: £29,207

• GAP Insurance settlement: £6,793

• Total recovered: £36,000

Thanks to the GAP Insurance policy, Andrew was reimbursed the full amount he had originally paid for the car.

How GAP Insurance Helped

Without GAP Insurance, Andrew would’ve lost nearly £7,000 after just seven months of ownership. Instead, for a one-off premium of £95.99, she walked away financially whole,and quickly arranged a replacement vehicle without needing to dip into savings or take out more finance.

What This Case Shows

This is a textbook example of how Return to Invoice GAP Insurance works:

• The car depreciated by over £6,700 in under 8 months.

• GAP Insurance filled the shortfall between the insurer’s offer and the original invoice price.

• For less than £100, Andrew avoided a serious financial setback.

This kind of cover can be especially useful for new or nearly-new vehicles, where depreciation in the first year is often steep.

Thinking of Buying a Car?

If you’re buying a new or nearly-new vehicle, GAP Insurance could save you thousands if the worst happens.     
 

* These are genuine claims settlement figures from a customer who has purchased GAP Insurance from one of the brands run by our company, Aequitas Automotive Ltd. Whilst we have changed the customer's name to hide their identity, all the other dates, figures and details are the same as the actual claim. 

Written by Mark Griffiths, published 8/7/2025