New Car Replacement Insurance Defined (2024)

What is auto replacement protection? If your vehicle is totaled, new car replacement insurance will reimburse you for the cost of a brand-new vehicle of the same make and model.

For example, when you buy a brand-new car, its value has likely dropped after a few months of driving. If you get into an accident that totals your car, new vehicle replacement insurance will pay to replace the same car (or similar make and model) instead of the actual cash value.

Not sure if new car replacement insurance is right for you? Keep reading to learn more about this type of auto insurance add-on and compare different policy options from multiple companies to find the lowest rates on new car replacement.

What is new car replacement insurance?

New car replacement pays to replace your brand-new vehicle if it’s totaled in a collision within the first year of ownership. Assuming you paid around $35,000 for a new SUV, new car coverage would replace it with the same SUV or a similar make and model at the same price.

Nobody wants to think that their brand-new automobile could be written off so soon after they buy it. But if it does, new car replacement coverage will provide you with a larger reimbursement.

If you don’t have insurance for new cars, you would only get the current actual cash value of the vehicle, which will be significantly less than what you paid for it. 

While shopping for car insurance, specifically when replacing a new car, remember that depreciation is a very important factor that usually is missed in the buying process.

You can use a totaled car value calculator to determine if your vehicle is worth without new car replacement and determine if you need this coverage. The difference between the two figures roughly represents the sum you would be liable for if you lacked replacement insurance. 

Each insurance company uses its own formula to calculate a totaled car value. Still, you can compare a repair bill to average market values to get an idea of what you can expect from a payout. Read our Totaled Car Value Calculator article to get a better idea of the value of your totaled vehicle.

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Who needs new car replacement insurance?

Although new car replacement insurance is more expensive, drivers concerned about depreciation may need such coverage to be covered in the event their new vehicle is totaled.

If you own your car, you should consider buying new car replacement if the vehicle:

• Is less than one year old 
• Has less than 15,000 miles
• Was never pre-owned

Not everyone will need this coverage, but it’s worth considering if one of the above situations applies to you. Let’s go over a few general guidelines on insurance for new cars before you buy new car replacement coverage.

Regulations for New Car Replacement Insurance

New car replacement is only available to drivers who own their vehicles and carry full coverage auto insurance. You may also have a deadline for buying new car replacement coverage from a particular insurance company. 

For instance, Nationwide mandates that drivers get coverage within six months after purchasing a new car, while Erie allows drivers to add coverage at any time as long as it’s before an accident.

Remember that the insurance company determines the period and mileage for new car replacement coverage. It’s also possible that you can’t purchase both GAP insurance and new automobile replacement coverage simultaneously.

Advantages of Buying New Car Replacement Insurance

Essentially, for the monthly cost of the coverage, you receive peace of mind knowing that if something happens to your new car, your insurance company will pay to replace it with the same or similar make and model. 

Other advantages that come with new vehicle replacement insurance include the following:

• Your vehicle is protected throughout the first year of ownership.
• You won’t have to worry about replacing your totaled vehicle with an older, less expensive model.
• You can avoid the financial loss brought on by owing more on your car than it is worth.

While better car replacement doesn’t cover an auto loan, it can get you back behind the wheel of your new car without you paying out of pocket for another vehicle.

Companies That Sell New Car Replacement

Here are a few insurance providers who provide insurance for the purchase of new cars if your automobile is totaled within the first 15 months or 15,000 miles:

• AARP auto insurance. New car replacement insurance through The Hartford will pay for a new vehicle with the same make, model, and equipment.
• Allstate. If the new automobile is less than two model years old, Allstate’s new car replacement insurance will replace it.
• Amica car insurance. New automobile replacement coverage is part of its Platinum Choice Auto program. A totaled car less than a year old with less than 15,000 miles is replaced with a brand-new one.
• Erie. Erie’s New Auto Security program will replace vehicles older than two years with the most recent model. You will be compensated for a comparable model that is two years newer if your vehicle is older than two years.
• Farmers. If your car is totaled within the first two model years and 24,000 miles, Farmers insurance will replace it with a new vehicle of the same make and model.
• Horace Mann. As part of the Educator Advantage Program, educators are eligible for a free new car replacement, and the company offers both new and improved car replacement. 
• Liberty Mutual. Liberty Mutual pays for a brand-new vehicle if your totaled car is under a year old and has fewer than 15,000 miles on it. Additionally, it offers better car replacement with vehicles that have 15,000 fewer miles and are a model year newer than your present vehicle.
• Nationwide. Nationwide new car replacement pays to replace an automobile as long as it is less than three years old.
• Travelers. Travelers “Premier” new car replacement program will pay to replace your car with a brand-new vehicle of the same make and model if it’s totaled within the first five years of ownership.

Not all insurance companies provide new automobile replacement insurance, and those that do may not offer it in all states. That’s why it’s imperative to shop around with multiple companies to find one with the coverage options you’re looking for. 

Which companies offer better car replacement coverage?

Replacement coverage might not be available to you if your automobile is older. However, some companies provide “better car replacement” or “newer-car replacement” plans, including:

• Erie
• Hanover
• Liberty Mutual

For instance, Liberty Mutual’s optional better car replacement coverage will reimburse you for the value of a car that is a model year newer and has 15,000 fewer miles on it than your totaled automobile. Any car, regardless of age, can use it. Read our Liberty Mutual auto insurance review to learn more. 

New Car Replacement vs. GAP Insurance

Unlike new car replacement, GAP insurance pays the difference left on your auto loan or lease if your car is totaled in a collision or unrecoverable after a theft. It won’t pay to replace the vehicle, but it does cover any outstanding loan payments you have left on a vehicle you no longer have.

Keep these differences between new vehicle replacement vs. GAP insurance in mind as you shop for a policy:

• Be sure you are aware of the terms and restrictions before purchasing GAP insurance or a new car replacement policy. 
• If you have an auto loan, GAP coverage may be offered longer than new car replacement coverage, depending on the insurer.
• If you choose to forego GAP or new car replacement coverage, be sure to have enough money saved up to pay back a lender or use it as a down payment on a replacement vehicle if your new car is totaled.
• If you decide to purchase new car replacement insurance, make sure to terminate it as soon as your vehicle reaches the maximum age or miles allowed by your insurer. If not, you might have to pay for coverage that has already expired.

GAP insurance is affordable, typically costing around a few dollars per month, but prices vary by company. You should compare auto insurance quotes from at least three companies before buying new car replacement or GAP insurance.

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How much does insurance for a new car cost?

Auto insurance rates vary by state, driver, and vehicle.  Newer vehicles also cost more to insure because they are more expensive to repair. 

On average, you can expect your car insurance rates to go up around 5% with new car replacement. 

Some insurers, such as Concord Group and Shelter, offer new car replacement as part of standard coverage, but it is typically an add-on with most larger insurance companies. Comparing quotes from insurance companies is the only way to determine your exact new car replacement insurance rates.

Here are a few things to think about when deciding if new vehicle automobile replacement insurance is right for you:

• Your budget. You might want only to carry your state’s minimum insurance to keep your auto rates as low as possible. However, bear in mind that by doing so, you run the danger of having your car totaled in an accident.
• The possibility of an accident. If you work from home or do not drive very often, you are less likely to be in a collision that would total your car. Therefore, new care replacement might not be worth it.
• Your vehicle make and model. New automobile replacement coverage is smart if your vehicle depreciates quickly. Sports cars, for example, lose value more quickly than other vehicles. Toyotas and Volvos, which depreciate more slowly, maintain their value throughout the first few years of ownership. 

If your car wasn’t totaled, you still have options. Shop around for the best deals and the best coverage that fits your needs and budget. Make sure to consider all options before locking in a policy.

The Bottom Line: Is new car replacement insurance worth it?

Consider new car replacement insurance if you recently purchased a new car. It can depreciate dramatically once you drive it off the lot, but this policy could be a cost-effective approach to retain the worth of your automobile if you have an accident and total it.

In general, it’s a good idea to add this coverage if your insurer offers it and you can afford higher new automobile replacement insurance rates. New car replacement insurance will reimburse you for the cost of a brand-new vehicle of the same make and model if your vehicle is totaled.

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