Owning a vehicle necessitates constant maintenance and upkeep to deal with everyday use, wear and tear, or more significant issues like accidents or engine failure. None of this comes cheap. So, does car insurance cover engine failure?
Car insurance doesn’t typically cover mechanical issues such as engine failure. In the event of an incident covered by your comprehensive or collision insurance, your insurance policy may cover some mechanical problems. Let us learn more about insurance coverage for engine failure in the blog.
Does standard car insurance cover engine failure?
The short answer: it depends. Standard car insurance, like collision and comprehensive, typically doesn’t cover internal engine breakdowns due to wear and tear. Think of it like your health insurance – it won’t cover a cough and cold, but it might step in for a broken bone.
But there are exceptions:
- Accidents or covered events: If your engine is damaged in an accident, fire, flood, or another event covered by your policy, then you’re golden.
- Mechanical breakdown insurance: This add-on covers repairs for internal breakdowns, including engine failure. It’s essentially an extended warranty for your peace of mind.
How does insurance deal with engine failure?
If your engine is damaged due to a covered claim, a full coverage policy will typically pay to repair it. A person can claim insurance if they have collision or comprehensive coverage for their vehicle or if their engine is covered by warranty.
What types of car insurance may cover engine failure?
Coverage types and what they cover are as follows:
- Collision: Provides coverage for repairing or replacing your car following an accident or collision.
- Comprehensive: Covers claims other than collisions, such as theft, vandalism, fire, broken windows or windshields, weather events, animal strikes, etc.
When Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Repair?
Even without engine failure coverage, your insurance might still handle:
- Sudden and accidental damage: If a foreign object like a rock smashes through your engine, causing immediate damage, collision or comprehensive coverage could kick in.
- Consequential damage: If engine failure causes harm to other parts of your car during an accident, your insurance might cover those repairs.
What factors determine if engine failure is covered by insurance?
Factors that determine engine failure coverage include:
- You can claim coverage if you have comprehensive insurance and your engine is damaged due to vandalism, natural calamity, or fire.
- If you have collision insurance, and your engine is damaged due to collision.
- You have a warranty for your engine repairs.
- You have mechanical breakdown insurance.
Is there any coverage that does cover engine failure?
Engine failure is covered by mechanical breakdown insurance. MBI does not cover regular maintenance or wear and tear items like brakes. The coverage for mechanical breakdown insurance is often based on the miles on your vehicle, just like the coverage for a warranty.
Also, know about Insurance Cover for DUI Accidents.
What Type of Coverage Covers a Blown Engine?
Here’s a breakdown of your options:
- Mechanical Breakdown Insurance: This is your best bet for internal engine failure coverage.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Protects against external events that could damage your engine, but not internal failure.
- Collision Coverage: Covers repair costs if the engine is damaged in an accident.
Extended Warranties vs. Mechanical Breakdown Insurance:
Both offer engine failure coverage, but with key differences:
- Extended Warranty: Often bundled with new car purchases, it covers specific components for a limited time.
- Mechanical Breakdown Insurance: More flexible, covering various car models and ages, and often offering broader component coverage.
Who Pays for Repair After an Accident?
Your insurance company will cover the repairs if the accident caused the engine failure. If it was due to internal wear and tear, you’ll be responsible for the costs.
Conclusion
So, does any car insurance cover engine failure? A car insurance policy protects your vehicle from damage caused by accidents or other unfortunate events. There are, however, some coverage options that safeguard your finances even without an accident. To ensure maximum safety for your vehicle, always opt for full coverage and extended warranty coverage. You can ask for a quote from insurance companies that offer the best coverage at the best price for your vehicle.
Remember, you can use Beem to find the best insurance quotes to help you make the right choice. Auto insurance with Beem covers damage to your vehicle, other vehicles or property, and injuries to yourself or others.