File a GAP claim.
When your primary insurer’s total loss settlement doesn’t cover what you still owe on your loan or lease, your Optiom GAP policy covers the shortfall. Here’s how to file.
Contact Optiom before you replace your vehicle so your lienholder payoff and any remaining benefit can be coordinated correctly.
Coverage for the shortfall.
After a total loss, your primary auto insurer pays the actual cash value of your vehicle — often less than what you still owe on your loan or lease. Your Optiom GAP policy covers that difference so you’re not left paying for a vehicle you no longer have.
GAP claims are eligible only when your primary insurer has declared the vehicle a total loss and paid out on your primary auto policy. Negotiated settlements or salvage agreements where the vehicle isn’t officially written off don’t qualify.
Illustrative example. Actual benefit varies based on your policy terms and primary insurer settlement.
Documents you’ll need.
GAP claims share the same baseline requirements as any Optiom total loss claim, plus one GAP-specific document: your lienholder or lessor’s balance-owing statement. Gather these before you call and we’ll typically process your file within 3–5 business days.
Benefits Request Form
Your signed form listing your Optiom policy number, date and type of loss, described vehicle, primary insurer details, and adjuster contact info. We’ll email this to you when we open your file.
Lienholder Balance Statement
Documentation from your lienholder or lessor confirming the balance owing on your loan or lease as of the date of loss. This anchors the shortfall calculation — it’s the GAP-specific document.
Primary Insurer Documents
Your Mitchell total loss valuation report, a copy of your settlement cheque, and insurance documents showing your coverages and rate class as of the date of loss.
Vehicle & Banking Details
Original bill of sale for the written-off vehicle, VIN and odometer at time of loss, police report or file number if applicable, plus a void cheque or PAD form for EFT payment.
What happens next.
Once your file is complete, most GAP claims are reviewed within 3–5 business days. Here’s what to expect from submission to payoff.
Day 1
We confirm receipt
Email submissions are reviewed in the order received. We’ll confirm what’s arrived, flag anything still missing, and coordinate directly with your lienholder if we need clarification on the balance owing.
Days 3–5
Shortfall calculated
Our total loss team compares your primary insurer’s settlement against the balance owing to your lienholder. If approved, you’ll receive a payout letter detailing the GAP benefit that will be applied to your loan or lease.
After approval
Lienholder paid
Your GAP benefit is paid directly to your lienholder or lessor to settle the outstanding balance. Any deductible reimbursement or additional benefits your policy includes are paid to you via EFT wherever possible.
Questions we hear most about GAP.
Answers to the questions clients ask most often when filing a GAP claim. Have something specific? Call us at 1-844-427-7587.
Related pages.
Ready to file?
We’re here when you need us.
Call before you purchase your replacement vehicle. Our claims team will walk you through exactly what your policy covers and what to send in.
