Does car insurance cover engine failure?
Car insurance for engine failure is a common misconception. Your policy will not cover engine failure, but the damage may be covered if you can prove it was caused by road debris. A car insurance claim for engine failure would fall more under the concept of an extended warranty in most cases.
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Michael Leotta
Insurance Operations Specialist
Michael earned a degree in Business Management degree with an insurance focus, which led to a successful 25-year career in insurance claims operations and support. He possesses a high-level of business acumen across multiple areas of the insurance industry. Over the course of his career, he served in multiple roles supporting claims operations including: Claims Specialist, Claims Trainer, Claim Au...
Insurance Operations Specialist
UPDATED: Feb 20, 2024
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Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Feb 20, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Car repairs may be covered if the damage was caused by road debris
- If the repairs are the result of wear and tear, they are not covered
- Additional engine failure coverage is available from some companies
While you expect to replace brake pads, tires and the oil on your car, you may not be ready for the high cost of a broken tie rod, damaged transmission or other major problem.
However, you may not have to cover these expensive repairs on your own. The insurance plan you have just might take care of the fees for you, and you can use a comparison tool to find one that gives you the coverage you need.
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Understanding Gap Insurance
There is a misconception about what gap insurance covers. Some people mistakenly believe that gap insurance is a blanket coverage that takes care of you if anything goes wrong with your car.
However, it is only designed to assist you in the event that your car is totaled in an accident.
If your car is in a serious accident, here’s what you can expect:
- The insurance company will inspect the car to determine if it’s more cost-effective to repair it or total it. They will notify you of their decision, and you’ll be informed of the final payment amount.
- Your title holder will receive a check for what the insurance company believes the car is worth.
- You’ll then have to pay the difference between the insurance payout and what you actually owe.
Unfortunately, people often believe that the gap insurance will cover other things, including missed payments and any repairs to the vehicle.
This insurance can never be used for fixing an engine, a down payment on another car or for adding extended warranties to your existing car.
While it’s wise to have this coverage if you finance a new vehicle, it’s important to understand that there are limitations to these plans.
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Comprehensive Coverage Is the Key
When you want complete coverage, you need to get the right protection. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners reminds drivers that there are three different types of plans that you can invest in:
- Liability is typically required by the state and covers damage to someone else’s property should you cause an accident.
- Collision pays for physical damage to your vehicle if another person causes an accident.
The comprehensive plan is what you need for all other claims.
If it didn’t involve an actual collision while you were driving, then it may be covered under this part of your plan.
Comprehensive coverage does add a little to your monthly bill.
Once you decide to invest in this type of protection, you can save on your insurance premiums by shopping around for the best rates using a comparison tool.
You can also ask about different discounts to help bring your overall cost down.
Importance of Regular Maintenance and Written Records
Comprehensive plans are known for covering theft, fire, storm damage, and even falling objects. What you may not realize is that comprehensive may also cover engine failure if it’s caused by road debris.
This means that if you hit a pothole and a chunk of concrete flew up and put a hole in one of the lines in your coolant line, then the resulting engine damage may be covered under your plan.
Damage will not be covered if the insurance company believes that you simply neglected the regular maintenance.
They can claim that the damage came from your own neglect, and you’ll be on your own with the resulting repairs.
If you’re worried about road debris damaging your engine, there are ways to protect yourself. For example, shop around for the right coverage and insist on a comprehensive plan. (For more information, read our “Does car insurance cover road debris damage?“).
In addition, keep up with your regular schedule maintenance as listed in your owner’s manual.
Routine Mechanical Failure
In some cases, there may be a mechanical issue that can be traced back to the factory.
When a drive shaft breaks while the car is in motion, it can lead to an incredible amount of damage and high repair bills.
Your comprehensive plan won’t cover the drive shaft itself since that was caused by the manufacturer, but there is hope.
The consequential damage includes repairs to the transmission case and nearby body parts and damage to other engine components.
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Hazards to Parked Cars
Even a car that’s safely parked in a garage is at risk. If rodents get into the vehicle, they can chew up cables, cause fire and generally damage the interior.
This is a common concern for classic vehicles that may be garaged for long periods of time.
This damage is often covered by the comprehensive insurance plan.
Some companies won’t cover the classic vehicles, or they have certain requirements that must be met, so it’s important to shop around.
When using a comparison site to find protection for your older car, be sure to include comprehensive coverage.
Multi-Vehicle Accidents Account for Less than Half of All Claims
The fact is that you’re more likely to file an insurance claim for something other than a collision on the road. According to the Boston Globe, 2.9 percent of all claims come from non-accident damage, such as hitting a pothole.
Storm damage accounts for more than five percent of claims, and theft accounts for a little over one percent.
If you’ve found the right provider and a solid comprehensive plan, then you won’t have to worry about getting your engine fixed.
Will gap insurance cover engine failure?
No, gap insurance does not cover engine failure.
Gap insurance is an optional coverage that can be included in an auto insurance policy. If you have gap coverage, it will cover the difference between the book (or trade-in) value of your totaled vehicle and the amount you still have to pay for it. Gap coverage is something drivers who finance their cars should consider if they are concerned about being upside down on their loan or lease after a crash. (For more information, read our “How do I find out if GAP insurance is included in my car lease?“).
Gap coverage is very specific and only activates if your car is totaled in a covered claim. It does not provide coverage for engine failure, normal wear and tear or other mechanical problems with your vehicle.
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Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Many car insurance companies offer special riders, and one option you may appreciate is mechanical breakdown insurance. It helps cover you against costly repairs that are not covered by the comprehensive plan.
This type of protection may be worth it if you plan on keeping the car well past the manufacturer’s warranty period, and you can generally have it added to your insurance plan when you’re getting quotes.
If you decide to invest in this rider, be sure to ask for certain features.
You should be able to:
- Take your car to the auto shop of your choice
- Have clearly stated deductibles that are based on each visit and not the individual repairs
If you’re facing a large repair bill today, then ask your mechanic a few questions about the cause.
The comprehensive plans may cover the repairs if they’re caused by road debris, and the resulting damage from mechanical failure may also be included in your plan.
If you like to keep your cars for a while, then it may be in your best interests to shop around for a quality mechanical breakdown plan that will help protect you from costly repairs down the road.
The Bottom Line
Now that we’ve covered types of coverage, you may be wondering: Is a blown engine covered by insurance? Good question. While a variety of things can go wrong with your vehicle, your type of car insurance coverage largely dictates whether a claim will be paid out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance typically cover engine failure?
No, standard car insurance policies usually do not cover engine failure.
What does car insurance typically cover?
Car insurance typically covers damages resulting from accidents, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters, as well as liability for bodily injury or property damage to others.
What causes engine failure?
Engine failure can be caused by a variety of factors, such as lack of maintenance, overheating, oil or coolant leaks, component wear and tear, or manufacturing defects.
Are there any insurance policies that cover engine failure?
While standard car insurance policies do not cover engine failure, there are specialized insurance policies available, such as mechanical breakdown insurance or extended warranties, that may cover engine failure and other mechanical issues. These policies are typically purchased separately and may have specific coverage limitations and deductibles.
What is mechanical breakdown insurance?
Mechanical breakdown insurance is a type of coverage that helps protect against unexpected repair costs due to mechanical or electrical failures. It may cover engine failure and other major vehicle components.
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Michael Leotta
Insurance Operations Specialist
Michael earned a degree in Business Management degree with an insurance focus, which led to a successful 25-year career in insurance claims operations and support. He possesses a high-level of business acumen across multiple areas of the insurance industry. Over the course of his career, he served in multiple roles supporting claims operations including: Claims Specialist, Claims Trainer, Claim Au...
Insurance Operations Specialist
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.