Does auto insurance cover engine failure? (2025)

Your car insurance policy probably doesn't include engine failure, but there are a few cases when it might.

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Melanie Musson

Published Insurance Expert

Melanie Musson is the fourth generation in her family to work in the insurance industry. She grew up with insurance talk as part of her everyday conversation and has studied to gain an in-depth knowledge of state-specific car insurance laws and dynamics as well as a broad understanding of how insurance fits into every person’s life, from budgets to coverage levels. She also specializes in sustai...

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Melanie Musson
Tracey L. Wells

Licensed Insurance Agent & Agency Owner

Tracey L. Wells is a licensed insurance agent and Farmers insurance agency owner with 23 years of experience. He is proud to be a local Farmers agent serving Grayson, Georgia and surrounding areas. With experience as both an underwriter and agent, he provides his customers with insight that others agents may not have. His agency offers all lines of insurance including home, life, auto, RV, busi...

Reviewed by
Tracey L. Wells

Updated December 2024

Does insurance cover engine failure? Engine failure is one thing no car owner ever wants to deal with. Not only does it make the vehicle completely unusable for a while, but it also comes with a significant price tag.

does auto insurance cover engine failure

That’s why it’s reasonable to ask whether your car insurance covers engine failure. In some cases, you may be in luck. Read on to learn which types of coverage include engine failure and how to protect your vehicle from unexpected repair costs.

Are you wondering, “Does full coverage insurance cover engine failure?” keep reading to see what situations cover an engine. You can also enter your ZIP code above to find cheap full coverage insurance rates in your area.

Things to remember...

  • Collision and comprehensive auto insurance policies generally cover engine failure if a collision or comprehensive loss caused it
  • Car insurance typically does not cover mechanical issues with the engine or wear and tear
  • To insure your vehicle against general engine failure, you need to purchase an extended warranty or mechanical breakdown coverage

How to Get Insurance to Cover Blown Motor

Does insurance cover engine replacement? If you have full coverage, you can file an engine seized insurance claim if it was directly caused by an accident or other situations described in your policy.

So, what insurance covers engine failure from a covered event? The basic types of coverage that may apply include:

  • Collision coverage reimburses the cost of repairing or replacing your car after you’re involved in an accident.
  • Comprehensive coverage applies to claims that are not a result of an accident, such as theft, vandalism, a broken windshield, weather events, and collisions with animals.
  • Uninsured motorist coverage reimburses the cost of repairing your car if you were involved in an accident where an at-fault driver has no (or insufficient) insurance. 

None of these coverages includes engine failure due to normal wear and tear or a mechanical problem.

Now that you know the answer to “Does insurance cover a broken engine?”, we’ll talk about how full coverage can help with your damaged engine.

Full Coverage Insurance Covers Some Types of Engine Failure

Does full coverage cover engine damage? Even if you have full coverage, engine failure may not count as a covered loss. Instead, the problem must result from a covered incident, and you’ll need the right type of coverage.

Does car insurance cover engine failure under collision? Collision car insurance covers damages to your vehicle from a collision with another car or an inanimate object (a tree or a lamppost, for example). If an accident causes engine damage, your collision policy should cover the repair cost.

Does auto insurance cover engine failure?: Collision Coverage Definition Card

However, you might be required to prove that the engine failure was directly caused by the collision instead of a pre-existing mechanical issue.

Will insurance cover engine failure under comprehensive? Comprehensive auto insurance covers damages to a vehicle that is not a result of a driving accident, such as theft, falling objects, natural disasters, fire, or explosion. For example, if your engine was damaged by a branch falling on your car during a thunderstorm, it should be covered by comprehensive insurance.

When filing a comprehensive insurance claim for engine repair, you might need additional documentation, such as regular maintenance records or recent mechanic reports, to prove that the engine was sound before the accident.

Does auto insurance cover engine failure?: Comprehensive Car Insurance Coverage Definition Card

Now that you know the answer to, “Does full coverage cover engine problems?” we’ll oveview how to protect your vehicle against engine issues.

How to Insure Your Vehicle Against Engine Damage

Looking for wear-and-tear insurance for engine failure? Even though none of the coverages we discussed will insure your car in case of engine failure that’s not the result of an accident or covered event, there are ways you can protect yourself against other engine repair costs:

  • Manufacturer’s Warranty: If your vehicle is relatively new (usually no more than three to five years old or with less than 36,000 to 60,000 miles), the car manufacturer should cover the cost to repair or replace the engine in case of failure.
  • Extended Warranty: The extended warranty, which is backed by the manufacturer, is usually something you can buy from the car dealership. These extended warranties can cost from $1,000 up to $3,000 or more, depending on the type of the vehicle.
  • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI): Some insurance companies offer this type of optional coverage that will provide you with a similar level of protection as a warranty. 

Extended warranties and MBI are similar, but each has advantages and disadvantages.

With an extended warranty, you will be covered for minor repairs. It’s available for almost all types of cars and usually has a lower deductible. However, the cost of coverage is higher than for MBI, and you’ll have to pay it upfront. You’ll also likely be restricted to using a mechanic that the dealer or warranty company approves.

Does auto insurance cover engine failure?: Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) Definition Card

In comparison, MBI is cheaper and payable in monthly installments. You also have the freedom to choose your mechanic. However, the deductible is often higher than an extended warranty, and it won’t cover minor repairs. 

Does auto insurance cover engine failure?: Geico Site Screenshot

In addition, MBI is usually only available for new vehicles and renewable for up to seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you’re interested in MBI, shop around since not all insurance companies offer it. 

More on Insurance and Engine Failure

Will insurance cover engine replacement? Car engine failures are only covered by insurance policies in the case of covered incidents. For example, your collision and comprehensive policy will cover damages caused by a driving accident or extensive losses but won’t reimburse engine repairs due to a mechanical breakdown.

You will need to turn to alternatives such as an extended warranty or mechanical breakdown insurance. Enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool below to instantly compare mechancial breakdown insurance rates from top companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does car insurance cover engine replacement?

A top question readers ask is, “Does insurance cover car engine failure?” Your car insurance policy won’t cover engine failure unless it was damaged by a covered event.

Can I file an engine failure claim on my car insurance?

You may wodner, “Can you claim engine damage on insurance?” If you have full coverage, your insurance policy will cover engine failure directly caused by an accident or other situations described in the policy. However, normal wear and tear or mechanical problems are not covered.

Does full coverage insurance cover engine damage?

Does full coverage cover engine failure? Full coverage will only pay for engine failure if it happened due to a covered event.

Does collision insurance cover engine failure?

You may wonder, “Does insurance cover engine damage under collision?” Collision insurance covers damages to your vehicle from a collision with another car or an inanimate object. If an accident causes engine damage, your collision policy should cover the repair cost, but you might need to prove that the engine failure was directly caused by the collision.

Does comprehensive insurance cover engine failure?

Many readers are asking, “Does comprehensive cover engine failure?” Comprehensive insurance covers damages to a vehicle that are not a result of a driving accident, such as theft, falling objects, natural disasters, fire, or explosion. If your engine was damaged by a covered event, it should be covered by comprehensive insurance, but you might need additional documentation to prove that the engine was sound before the accident.

How can I insure my vehicle against engine damage?

How can I get car insurance for engine failure? While car insurance policies typically don’t cover engine failure, there are alternatives to protect yourself against engine repair costs. Extended warranties and mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) are options to consider. Extended warranties cover minor repairs, while MBI is cheaper and covers major repairs, but both have advantages and disadvantages.

If your engine blow up, does insurance cover it?

Does insurance cover a new engine if it blows up? If the engine blew up due to a covered event under your comprehensive or collision policy, such as an accident, fire, or vandalism, it should pay for a new one.

What is full comprehensive insurance?

Comprehensive insurance pays for damage to your car from non-collision events, such as weather, vandalism, and fire.

Will comprehensive cover a blown engine? If the engine failure resulted from a covered event under comprehensive, it will.

Does Geico insurance cover engine failure?

Is engine damage covered by insurance with Geico? Generally, standard Geico car insurance won’t pay for engine failure unless it occurred due to a covered event. However, you could get mechanical breakdown coverage, which acts as engine replacement insurance.

Does full coverage car insurance cover engine failure with State Farm?

Can you claim on insurance for a broken engine with State Farm? Generally, State Farm full coverage only covers engine damage resulting from a covered event under the policy, such as an accident, weather damage, or vandalism.

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