Does Car Insurance Cover My Engine?
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She covers topics ranging from car insurance to healthcare costs.
Reviewed by
Paul Martin is the Director of Education and Development for Myron Steves, one of the largest, most respected insurance wholesalers in the southern U.S.
Navigation
Does Car Insurance Cover My Engine?
How Is My Engine Covered Under My Car Insurance?
How Much of My Engine Repair or Replacement Is Covered Under My Car Insurance?
How Much Do I Have to Pay if My Car Insurance Doesn't Fully Cover My Engine?
If Basic Insurance Doesn't Cover My Engine, What Will?
Expert(s) Found on This Page
Does Car Insurance Cover My Engine?
Your engine literally keeps your car running, so without it, you're in trouble.
Your car insurance would cover your engine if it sustains physical damage, but it doesn't cover maintenance or engine problems that are caused by normal wear and tear.
If your engine is damaged from an event other than a collision (e.g., vandalism, flooding, hailstorm, etc.), your comprehensive coverage will help you out if you have it. Comprehensive coverage is optional, and if you have it, it covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event.
Optional collision coverage might also cover engine damage if it occurs during a collision with another car or an object, like a mailbox or a tree. Collision coverage is also optional, and it covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
Most of the time, the things that happen to your engine are considered wear and tear, and again, car insurance doesn't cover this kind of engine problem.
How Is My Engine Covered Under My Car Insurance?
Let's say you have comprehensive coverage included in your auto insurance policy, and your engine is damaged in an accident. You can file a claim with your insurance company for the damage to your car, which will include any physical damage to the engine.
Your insurance company will decide if the total damage to the car, including the engine, is worth repairing. If the cost of the engine repair is more than the value of the vehicle, the insurer may choose to total your car. This isn't always a horrible thing since you will get a check from your insurance company for the value of your vehicle minus any applicable deductible.
If they decide to fix your engine and any other damage, your policy will cover the cost of the repair after your deductible.
How Much of My Engine Repair or Replacement Is Covered Under My Car Insurance?
If your engine repair is covered by your car insurance policy, then it will cover the entire cost to repair the engine after your deductible. Your deductible can be anywhere from $500 to $2,500, depending on your choices when you purchased your policy. Your deductible is subtracted from the reimbursement you'll receive from your insurance company.
Of course, if your engine repair will cost more than your car, you will most likely want to look into replacing your car instead of paying for an engine that costs more than the value of your vehicle.
How Much Do I Have to Pay if My Car Insurance Doesn't Fully Cover My Engine?
Any engine repairs that are caused by normal wear and tear are not covered by car insurance. In these cases, there is no need to file an insurance claim, and you'll have to pay for the repairs on your own.
You'll be responsible for the deductible if you have physical damage to your engine caused by a collision or another covered event (e.g., a tree falls on it). Your insurance will pay for the rest after your deductible and up to the coverage limits of your policy (usually the actual cash value of your car at the time of the incident).
If Basic Insurance Doesn't Cover My Engine, What Will?
Some insurance companies offer optional engine protection coverage or mechanical breakdown coverage. These can help cover your engine and its parts when repairs are needed for mechanical issues or other problems with your engine that are not covered by basic car insurance.
This type of coverage will vary by insurance company. If you're considering adding one of these options to your policy or buying a standalone mechanical breakdown policy, talk with an independent insurance agent. An agent can help you weigh the pros and cons and help you find what you need.