If my car is leased and it get stolen or writeoff. what happens to my payments and my downpayment?

Answer 1

That depends on a couple of things. Who is your lease with. Have you and your insurance company arrived at a value for the vehicle? When your car is totalled or stolen and not recovered your lease comes due, meaning it has to be paid in full remaining payments and residual value, the same way if you had a normal loan with a bank. Your payment each month is to rent the car so therefor your payments belong to the leasing company, unless you have paid in advance some payments you may be able to get those back. When it comes to downpayment depending on how much you put down and what the money was used for you may not get that back. Example: First months payment made in advance pretty standard wont get it back, paid the fees such as tax on downpayment and rebates if any, plate and title, dealer documentation fee, lease origination fee, these items are not coming back to you same as if you purchased the vehicle. If your insurance company(with your assistance) sets the value of the vehicle high enough that there is money left over after satisfying the lease you would be intitled to that money. When it comes to arriving at a value your insurance company may over state the value they may be right on or they may understate the value, car values are very subjective you need to do your hmework as to the value.That means go to used car lots find some with similar miles, year, and similar condition. Remember even though you leased ti new we are dealing with a used car now. Insurance companies always say they dont have to pay to replace it, however they do have to pay what it is worth. call your leasing company get your payoff of the car (make sure you let them know it has been totaled ) some bank leases penalize you for early termination. Not Chrysler or Gmac. One final subject your lease should have GAP insurance on it(double check with your dealer) If for some reason your vehicle value is less than what is owed to the leasing company the GAP company will step in and pay the difference on your behalf companies like Chrysler Finandial and Gmac include Guaranteed Assett protection at no extra cost on all leases. Good Luck don't be alarmed just follow the process leasing truly is the best way to get a car as loong as it is done right with a good dealer and leasing company> Sincerely, Kurt