Guide to New Car Replacement Insurance (2025)
New car replacement insurance pays for the full cost of replacing your totaled vehicle with a brand-new one.
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New car replacement insurance is an optional type of car insurance that kicks in if you total your car. Unlike traditional car insurance, new car replacement insurance pays for the full cost of replacing your totaled car with a new version. Standard car insurance only pays for the actual cash value of your car, which begins to depreciate as soon as you drive it off the lot.
If you have a loan on your car, new car replacement insurance can help you avoid owing more on your loan than what standard insurance would pay out. Here’s an in-depth look at new car replacement insurance, its benefits, and its alternatives to help you decide if it’s worth the extra cost.
How new car replacement insurance works
New car replacement insurance is an optional type of car insurance that protects against depreciation by fully replacing your car in the event of a total loss. Standard car insurance policies typically pay out just the actual cash value of your car.1
Vehicles also depreciate quickly from the moment you drive them off the lot — as much as 20% in the first year, according to Kelley Blue Book data. New car replacement insurance is a way to prevent that value loss.2
When new car replacement insurance makes sense
New car replacement insurance makes sense in various situations, including:
Companies that offer new car replacement insurance
Some of the best car insurance companies, including State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive, don’t offer new car replacement insurance. But you still have plenty of reliable car insurance companies to choose from for new car replacement insurance.
Best companies for new car replacement insurance
While plenty of car insurance companies offer new car replacement insurance, a few stand out. Travelers, Nationwide, and Allstate offer some of the best new car replacement insurance policies.
Travelers: Best for longevity
The Hartford: Best for people who don’t drive often
Allstate: Best for discounts
Insurify selected the best car insurance companies by considering the quality, length, and flexibility of their new car insurance replacement policies, as well as available discounts.
Average cost of new car replacement insurance
Drivers typically pay around 5% of the cost of their total policies for new car replacement insurance. But costs can vary based on a number of things, including your coverage limits, age, location, and type of car. More expensive cars typically have higher costs.
These factors also affect the cost of your regular car insurance policy. Your credit history, mileage driven, and driving record can have a significant effect on your premiums. The state you live in can also have an effect on how much you pay for your new car replacement insurance.3
Benefits of new car replacement coverage
New car replacement insurance coverage can be hugely beneficial. For typically a small percentage of your policy’s premium, you can secure coverage that will fully replace a totaled car with a new one within a specific period (often one to three years).
If you never need to use the coverage, it’s typically not a huge wasted expense. For example, if your policy costs $100 per month and your new car replacement insurance costs 5% of your premium, you’ll only pay $60 extra per year.
New car replacement vs. gap insurance
New car replacement insurance and gap insurance both offer payouts if you total your car, but they differ in how they make those payouts.
New car replacement insurance pays the full cost of replacing your car with a new one. Gap insurance pays the difference between the actual cash value of your car and the remaining balance you have on your car loan.4
New car replacement insurance makes sense if you have a newer car and drive it frequently since many new car replacement policies only cover newer vehicles. Gap insurance makes sense if you drive frequently and have to take out a significant loan for your vehicle. If you’re leasing a car, your lender will likely require you to have gap insurance.
New car replacement vs. better car replacement
New car replacement insurance and better car replacement insurance both offer vehicle replacement if you total yours, but they differ in the type of vehicle they provide. New car replacement coverage pays for replacing your car with a brand-new version.
Better car replacement coverage typically replaces your car with one that’s one model year newer and sometimes with fewer miles. New car replacement insurance makes sense if you have a new vehicle that you drive frequently, as these policies often only apply to newer vehicles.
Better car replacement insurance makes sense if you drive a lot and own an older car, as it ensures you maintain vehicle value with a newer model replacement.
New car replacement insurance FAQs
If you’re still not sure whether new car replacement insurance is worth it, check out the additional information below about this type of coverage.
Is new car replacement insurance worth it?
New car replacement insurance is often worth it for new car owners. It helps you replace your totaled car with a brand-new one, often for only 5% of the cost of your standard auto insurance policy.
What does new car replacement mean in an insurance policy?
New car replacement in an insurance policy means your insurer will fully cover the cost of replacing your totaled car with a new version, rather than just paying you its actual cash value.
How long do you have to add a new car to your insurance policy with Liberty Mutual?
You typically have between seven and 30 days to add a new car to your Liberty Mutual insurance policy.
If someone else totals your car, does the insurance company pay for another one, or does it only cover the cost of the previous car?
In most cases, if someone else totals your car, their insurance company will pay out the actual cash value of your car at the time of the accident.
How do insurance companies determine a car’s value when totaling it out?
Insurance companies determine a car’s value when totaling it out by considering factors like its age, condition, and mileage to determine its actual cash value.
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