Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Repairs?

Car troubles are inevitable, and one of the most dreaded issues any vehicle owner can face is engine trouble. But when your engine sputters or fails, you may wonder, “Does my car insurance cover engine repairs?” The simple answer: it depends.

While car insurance is designed to protect you in many situations, engine repairs are typically not covered by standard car insurance policies. However, there are exceptions based on the cause of the damage and the type of coverage you have.

Let’s break down the scenarios where car insurance might (or might not) help with engine repairs, and what you can do to protect your vehicle.

What Does Standard Car Insurance Cover?

Before diving into engine repairs specifically, it’s crucial to understand what typical car insurance policies do and don’t cover. Standard car insurance policies typically fall into several categories of coverage:

1. Liability Insurance: This is the most basic type of car insurance, required in most states. It covers damages and injuries you cause to other people or property in an accident. However, it does not cover repairs to your own vehicle, including the engine.
2. Collision Coverage: This helps pay for repairs to your car if you’re involved in an accident, whether you hit another vehicle or object. However, this only covers damage directly caused by the collision, not general wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns.
3. Comprehensive Coverage: This covers non-collision-related incidents, such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters, or hitting an animal. If your engine is damaged in a covered event (like a tree falling on your car during a storm), comprehensive coverage might help pay for repairs.
4. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payments (MedPay): These cover medical expenses for you and your passengers in an accident. They don’t cover vehicle repairs.

As you can see, none of these standard coverages explicitly include engine repairs due to mechanical failure or wear and tear.

When Might Car Insurance Cover Engine Repairs?

While car insurance generally doesn’t cover engine repairs resulting from normal mechanical issues, there are certain cases where it could:

Accident-Related Engine Damage

If your engine is damaged in a car accident and you have collision coverage, then your insurance may cover the cost of engine repairs. For example, if you’re involved in a rear-end collision that results in engine damage, your collision insurance can help with repair costs.

Keep in mind that you’ll still need to pay your deductible, and the coverage is limited to the amount needed to restore the engine to its pre-accident condition.

Damage from a Covered Event

If your car is involved in a non-collision event that damages the engine, and you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance may cover the repairs.

For instance, if flooding causes water damage to your engine or a falling object smashes through the hood, comprehensive insurance could come to your rescue. Again, this would only apply if the damage is caused by a covered peril listed in your policy.

Theft or Vandalism

If someone steals your car or vandalizes it, leading to engine damage, comprehensive insurance can cover the cost to repair or replace the damaged parts, including the engine.

What Isn’t Covered by Car Insurance?

Mechanical Failures

One of the most important things to understand is that car insurance does not cover engine repairs due to mechanical breakdowns or wear and tear.

Engine components, like all mechanical parts, degrade over time, and insurance policies are not designed to pay for routine maintenance or issues that arise from normal use.

For example, if your engine starts knocking because of worn bearings or fails due to a lack of oil, your insurance policy will not cover the repairs. These kinds of problems fall under mechanical failures, and addressing them is considered part of owning a vehicle.

Neglect and Lack of Maintenance

If your engine fails because you didn’t properly maintain your car (such as neglecting oil changes or driving with a check engine light on), insurance won’t cover the damage. Insurance policies generally exclude damage that arises from owner negligence.

What Are Your Options for Engine Repair Coverage?

If you’re worried about potential engine repairs and want to ensure you’re covered, here are a few options:

Extended Warranty

An extended warranty (or vehicle service contract) is a type of insurance-like product that covers certain repairs after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. Depending on the plan, it can cover everything from the engine to the transmission and electrical systems.

If you’re buying a used car or planning to keep your vehicle for a long time, an extended warranty could offer peace of mind against costly engine repairs.

Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI)

Some insurers offer Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), which is specifically designed to cover repairs for mechanical failures, including engine problems.

MBI policies work like extended warranties but are typically offered by insurance companies rather than automakers or dealerships. They can be a good option if you’re looking for coverage beyond what a standard car insurance policy offers.

Regular Maintenance

While it’s not a form of insurance, keeping up with regular vehicle maintenance is the best way to prevent unexpected engine issues. Simple tasks like checking oil levels, replacing filters, and getting tune-ups can extend the life of your engine and reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs.

Should You Add Additional Coverage?

If you’re driving a high-mileage or older car, you might wonder whether it’s worth adding extra coverage like comprehensive insurance or an extended warranty.

Here are a few considerations:

• Car’s Value: If your car is worth less than $5,000, you might reconsider keeping comprehensive and collision coverage. The cost of repairs could exceed the vehicle’s value, making it more economical to replace the car if the engine fails.
• Driving Conditions: If you live in an area prone to flooding, extreme weather, or theft, comprehensive coverage could be worth it, as these events can lead to serious engine damage.

Conclusion

For most car owners, car insurance won’t cover engine repairs caused by mechanical breakdowns or neglect. However, if your engine is damaged in an accident or by a covered peril, your collision or comprehensive coverage could help with repair costs. To safeguard your engine from unexpected repair bills, consider purchasing an extended warranty or Mechanical Breakdown Insurance.

And above all, keep up with routine maintenance to ensure your engine stays in good working order for as long as possible. By knowing what’s covered and what isn’t, you can avoid surprises when engine trouble strikes.