Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Problems? Let’s Figure It Out Here!

Does car insurance cover engine problems? Indeed, it’s the most asked question among prospective policyholders. Engine failure is the most common issue among drivers that have a high chance for your car to deal with it. Sadly, many people simply purchase car insurance and end up not covering the engine failure.

However, it’s not the same case with all car insurance. Consequently, you need to have a deeper understanding based on your needs and the coverage that you need. Here we’ll try your answer and provide you with the right solution to cover the engine failure with car insurance coverage!

Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Problems?

Generally, car insurance does not pay for engine damage or mechanical component damage to your vehicle. But, auto insurance is designed to cover damage that occurs suddenly, unexpectedly, and accidentally or beyond your control. For instance, it can cover the repair cost for your car after a collision. 

Breakdowns, basic maintenance, and wear and tear are things that are not covered by your car insurance policy. However, the only time a standard insurance policy will pay for engine damage is if the damage is caused by a covered accident or hazard.

When Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Problems?

As you know, auto insurance doesn’t cover all engine failures. There’s the exact policy that rules it and every company’s auto insurance coverage is different from one to another. Here are several types of car insurance coverage that can potentially cover damage to your engine, including:

1. Liability Coverage

Coverage for liability pays for damages you cause in an accident that is caused by your fault. It includes bodily injury and property damage. If you caused an accident that damaged someone else’s machine, property damage liability coverage will pay to fix it. However, if the other driver caused the accident, their liability coverage will pay to fix your engine. 

2. Comprehensive Coverage

The comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle that wasn’t caused by an accident. Theft, fire, and flood are just a few examples of the things that are covered by comprehensive insurance. Thus, if the damage to your engine is caused by a covered peril, comprehensive coverage will pay to fix it.

3. Collision Coverage

The last is collision coverage that’ll pay for damages to your vehicle resulting from an accident, no matter who is at fault. So, if you crash into a cement pillar or hit someone on the highway, collision coverage will cover it. This insurance will pay for repairs once you meet the loss limit. If your engine malfunctions due to an accident, your collision coverage will pay to fix it.

In addition, an engine breakdown or other damage to the mechanical parts of your vehicle isn’t covered by the standard insurance package. So, some of you may be concerned about paying for engine damage or other mechanical issues. Fortunately, you may be able to purchase mechanical breakdown insurance to deal with it.

What Coverage Does Cover the Engine Failure?

In some cases, auto insurance coverage can protect your finances if your car has an engine breakdown or other mechanical issues that require repairs. Typically, things like engine damage will be covered by the warranty, if you have purchased one.

But, you can also consider buying mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), if your car insurance company offers it. Below are several alternatives to ensure coverage that does cover the engine problems:

1. Warranty

When you purchase a car, whether it’s new or relatively new with low mileage, you will most likely be offered a car warranty. There are mainly two types of warranty coverage that may be offered to you:

• Bumper-to-bumper warranty: Although the auto insurance name suggests coverage for the entire car, the bumpers usually aren’t covered, only the certain parts between them. The coverage pays to repair most parts or systems of the car.

It includes those that cause mechanical damage or engine failure. When the warranty doesn’t exclude a part or system, it falls under the bumper-to-bumper warranty.

• Powertrain warranty: Basically, the powertrain warranty is specific to the drive axles, engine, and transmission, which are the parts that make the car move. In contrast to the bumper-to-bumper warranty, the powertrain warranty only lists what is covered, not what isn’t covered.

Both options can be extended after the expiration date for an additional fee. It’s usually based on mileage or age, whichever comes first. For instance, the 3-year or 30,000-mile warranty will be expired when the vehicle reaches 30,000 miles or 3 years old.

2. Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Mechanic’s breakdown insurance or MBI is an optional coverage in auto insurance that can cover engine problems. It’s usually offered by some car insurance providers. It’s an alternative to an extended warranty and may have broader coverage than that provided by an extended warranty.

In MBI, engine damage is covered. However, normal maintenance and wear and tear, such as brakes, aren’t covered under MBI. Like a warranty, mechanical breakdown insurance only provides coverage for a certain period of time.

For instance in Geico, MBI is offered for cars with less than 15,000 miles and less than 15 months old. Furthermore, it allows extensions of up to seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Unfortunately, most auto insurance companies don’t offer this coverage. So if you’re interested, you may have to look around. Further, the average cost of car insurance including MBI will vary by carrier and may have different limits from other companies.

So, Ready to Leverage Auto Insurance for Covering Engine Failure?

Engine breakdowns can be frightening and unexpected. Furthermore, there’s no way to predict car breakdowns, but at least there’s insurance for those times when life gets messy. Thus, if you want to make sure that you have the right cover for any emergency, be sure to read your documents carefully.

Also, if you’re not happy with the insurance you currently have, we recommend that you shop around and compare what’s out there. Remember you should make a thorough consultation to ensure the right purchase. Lastly, we hope our article can answer your question of “Does car insurance cover engine problems?”.