Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover Engine Failure?
Learn if comprehensive car insurance covers engine failure. Understand why it typically doesn't and explore options for mechanical breakdown protection.
When unexpected vehicle issues arise, car owners often wonder if their insurance policy will provide financial relief. A common inquiry is whether comprehensive auto insurance covers engine failure. Car insurance policies offer various types of coverage, each with distinct boundaries.
Understanding Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive car insurance protects a vehicle from damages not caused by a collision with another vehicle or object. This coverage is sometimes called “other than collision” because it addresses non-accident-related incidents. It typically covers perils such as theft, vandalism, and fire.
Beyond these events, comprehensive insurance also extends to natural disasters like hail, floods, windstorms, and earthquakes. It can cover damage from falling objects, such as tree limbs, or from striking an animal like a deer. This coverage aims to protect a vehicle from unforeseen events beyond the policyholder’s control.
Why Engine Failure Is Usually Not Covered
Comprehensive insurance generally does not cover engine failure, as it is typically considered a mechanical breakdown, wear and tear, or a result of maintenance issues. Car insurance policies cover sudden, accidental damage from external events, known as perils. Internal mechanical failures, such as a piston seizing or a timing belt snapping due to age, do not fall under this definition.
Damage from neglect, like failing to perform routine oil changes or ignoring warning lights, is also excluded. Insurance policies differentiate between damage caused by an external, unforeseen event and issues arising from the vehicle’s normal operation or lack of upkeep. However, if engine failure is a direct consequence of a covered peril, such as flood damage or fire, then comprehensive coverage may apply.
Other Coverage Options for Engine Failure
While standard comprehensive insurance typically excludes engine failure, several other options exist to help mitigate the high cost of such repairs, which can range from $2,000 to over $10,000 for a replacement. Manufacturer’s warranties, often included with new vehicles, provide coverage for defects in materials or workmanship for a specified period or mileage. Powertrain warranties, a common type of manufacturer’s warranty, specifically cover core components like the engine, transmission, and drivetrain, usually for a longer duration than the basic warranty, such as five years or 60,000 miles.
After the manufacturer’s warranty expires, extended warranties, also known as vehicle service contracts, can be purchased from the manufacturer or third-party providers. These contracts offer continued protection against mechanical breakdowns, though their coverage and terms can vary significantly. They might cover parts and labor for specific mechanical failures, but it is important to review the contract carefully for exclusions, such as wear and tear items.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) is another option, often offered by insurance carriers as an add-on to an existing auto policy. MBI functions similarly to an extended warranty but is regulated as an insurance product, potentially offering more flexibility in terms of repair facilities and payment options. These policies typically cover mechanical and electrical breakdowns and may be available for vehicles up to a certain age or mileage, often requiring purchase while the factory warranty is still active.