When unexpected car troubles arise, especially after an accident, many car owners naturally assume their auto insurance will foot the repair bill. Indeed, if you’ve been in a collision or your car has been damaged by events like theft or fire, your standard auto insurance policy is designed to help cover the costs, assuming you have the appropriate coverage for the specific incident. However, it’s crucial to understand the limitations of typical car insurance. It’s generally not intended to cover the costs associated with normal aging, routine wear and tear, or typical mechanical breakdowns that occur from regular vehicle use.
To put it simply, a standard car insurance policy is primarily designed to be a safety net for unforeseen events such as car accidents, theft, or fire, contingent on your policy’s coverage details. It’s not designed to function as a car maintenance or general repair fund. Therefore, understanding what is not typically covered is just as important as knowing what is.
Common Car Repairs Typically Outside the Scope of Auto Insurance
It’s important to be aware that numerous common car repairs generally fall outside the boundaries of what a standard car insurance policy will cover. These often include:
- Replacement of parts due to routine maintenance schedules: Tasks like replacing air filters, spark plugs, belts, and hoses as part of scheduled maintenance are considered the vehicle owner’s responsibility.
- Repairs for non-accident related mechanical or engine failures: If your engine gives out due to age or mechanical issues, or your transmission fails under normal use, standard auto insurance won’t typically cover these repairs.
- Regular oil changes and fluid flushes: These are standard maintenance items necessary for the upkeep of your vehicle and are not covered by insurance.
- Tune-ups and general servicing: Keeping your car running smoothly through tune-ups and regular servicing is part of vehicle ownership, not something insurance is designed for.
- Brake pad replacements and rotor servicing: Brakes wear down over time with normal use. Replacing brake pads or rotors due to wear is considered maintenance.
- Breakdowns resulting from wear and tear, not covered incidents: If your car breaks down due to a mechanical issue that isn’t the direct result of a covered event like an accident, you’ll generally need to rely on other forms of coverage or pay out-of-pocket. For some protection against these scenarios related to wear and tear, you might need specific coverage options like comprehensive insurance or a vehicle warranty.
So, Is There Such a Thing as Car Repair Insurance?
This is where things get interesting. While standard auto insurance has its limits, the answer to “is there such thing as car repair insurance?” is nuanced. Some insurance companies do indeed offer optional coverage that can be considered a form of “car repair insurance.” This type of add-on is often designed to help with the financial burden of minor car repairs and, crucially, mechanical failures that stem from normal wear and tear.
This specialized coverage is frequently referred to as Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI). It acts somewhat like an extended car warranty, but it’s offered directly by insurance companies rather than car dealerships. When you’re exploring options that sound like “car repair insurance,” it’s highly likely you’re encountering Mechanical Breakdown Insurance or similar products.
When considering these policies, it’s paramount to thoroughly understand exactly what types of repairs are covered under the specific policy. Coverage can vary, so carefully reviewing the policy details is essential.
Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Failure? Let’s Clarify.
A common concern for car owners is engine failure. Even if you have what’s often termed “full coverage” – typically meaning you have both Comprehensive and Collision coverage – your standard car insurance will generally not cover engine failure if it’s not caused by a covered claim.
For example, if your engine fails due to old age, lack of maintenance, or an inherent mechanical flaw, your auto insurance policy typically won’t step in to pay for the repairs or replacement. To get coverage for engine failure that isn’t accident-related, you would typically need a vehicle warranty, especially an extended warranty, or a specific car repair insurance policy like Mechanical Breakdown Insurance.
Understanding Mechanical Breakdown Coverage in Detail
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) stands out as an optional coverage you can often purchase from certain insurance providers. This type of coverage is explicitly designed to cover those repairs that are not due to routine maintenance, typical wear and tear, or a car accident. Instead, MBI focuses on those unexpected mechanical breakdowns. This can encompass significant issues like transmission failure, major engine problems, issues with the drive axle, or malfunctions in the electrical system.
Think of Mechanical Breakdown Insurance as a safety net for those potentially expensive repairs that arise from the internal workings of your vehicle, rather than external events. It’s quite analogous to an extended car warranty, but with the key difference that it’s purchased from an insurance company.
It’s also important to note that, like many insurance policies, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance policies generally include a deductible. This is the amount you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in to cover the remaining repair costs.
While Liberty Mutual, as mentioned in the original article, may not offer Mechanical Breakdown Insurance directly, it’s worth exploring various insurance providers to see if they offer this type of specialized “car repair insurance.” Furthermore, considering options like 24-Hour Roadside Assistance can be beneficial. Roadside assistance can provide help in situations like a flat tire, a dead battery, or towing services if you experience a breakdown, offering another layer of security for unexpected car troubles.
Ultimately, understanding the distinction between standard auto insurance, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance, and vehicle warranties is key to making informed decisions about protecting yourself from unexpected car repair costs.
