Will Insurance Cover Me if My Engine Blows Out?

In general, auto insurance will not cover an engine if it blows out due to lack of maintenance. However, if you buy certain types of coverage, then there are specific cases in which a blown engine might be covered, such as if it was damaged in a recent collision or if it suddenly breaks down because of a reason other than poor upkeep.

Keep reading to learn what car insurance policies cover engine failure, what situations they don’t cover and what to do if you experience engine issues.

On This Page

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  Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Failure?

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  When Won’t an Insurance Company Cover a Car Engine?

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  Which Policy Add-Ons Should I Consider To Cover My Car Engine?

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  What Should I Do if My Engine Fails?

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  How To File a Claim for a Blown Engine

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  FAQs

Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Failure?

Your car insurance policy can cover engine failure but only in very specific circumstances. For example, if you buy full coverage, then you may be covered if your engine failed due to being physically damaged in a car accident, a tree falling on your car, vandalism or some other covered event. In addition, if you buy mechanical breakdown insurance, then it is also possible to insure your car engine against sudden failures unrelated to poor upkeep.

When Won’t an Insurance Company Cover a Car Engine?

Engine failure due to wear and tear or poor maintenance, such as overheating due to low fluid levels, won’t be covered. Maintenance is considered the owner's responsibility by most insurers, so if an engine fails prematurely because of the lack of it, the repair and replacement costs are left squarely on the driver.

Sometimes, your engine may fail due to a manufacturer defect, which would become the manufacturer’s responsibility to fix under their warranty and not your insurance.

Which Policy Add-Ons Should I Consider To Cover My Car Engine?

Below are a few examples of the types of perils that may cause engine failure and the types of coverage you need to buy to get the engine repair or replacement costs covered, which can sometimes range in cost from $2,000 to over $10,000.^[1]

Coverage for Engine Failures Due to External Causes

Collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist insurance may cover your engine’s repair or replacement costs if the failure can be traced to your car being physically damaged. Below, we list what types of events each coverage type will cover:

• Collision insurance: Collision with another vehicle, tree, fence or other physical object
• Comprehensive insurance: Hail, fallen tree, vandalism, fire, windstorm, earthquake
• Uninsured motorist insurance: Collision with another driver who was at fault but flees the scene

Coverage for Engine Failures Due to Internal Causes

Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) is the only type of car insurance coverage that will insure your engine against sudden breakdowns outside of your car being physically struck. This optional coverage expands your protection to sudden mechanical and electrical issues that can’t be traced back to poor maintenance or regular wear and tear.

However, not all insurers offer mechanical breakdown insurance and there may be vehicle age requirements. For example, GEICO only offers mechanical breakdown insurance for cars less than 15 months old with 15,000 miles or less, with renewal of the policy being allowed for up to seven years or the first 100,000 miles.^[2]

While it is not an add-on to your auto insurance policy, you might want to consider buying an extended warranty for your car, which can cover engine failure caused by manufacturer defects or if it wears out ahead of schedule. Car engines can last quite some time if taken care of, with most modern cars expected to last between 200,000 and 300,000 miles or between 11 and 12 years. If your engine wears out earlier, then you can make a case for it to be covered under the extended warranty.^[3]

While the base warranty coverage is included with purchasing a new car, they typically only cover the first three years or 36,000 miles driven, whichever comes first.^[4] Depending on your car and the provider, you can purchase an extended warranty for $1,000 per year on average, although you may see costs as high as $2,800.^[5]

What Should I Do if My Engine Fails?

There are a few signs you should be on the lookout for a while on the road that indicates a blown engine. The most prominent indicator is your “check engine” light, which should prompt you to make a trip to a mechanic as soon as possible.

If you hear a loud noise from your car or see smoke rising from the hood, that’s an immediate sign that something’s wrong with your engine or another component and you should pull over.

If you believe your engine may have blown while driving, don’t second guess yourself and perform the following actions:

1. Stay calm.
2. Keep your eyes on the road and look for a place to pull over.
3. Turn on hazard lights.
4. Shift to neutral and attempt to restart your engine.
5. Do not brake, as you’ll need the continued momentum.
6. Take your foot off the gas and slow to a stop at the side of the road.

Once you’ve safely pulled to the side of the road, turn off the ignition and contact assistance, which may include the following:

AAA

If you are already an American Automobile Association (AAA) member, you have roadside assistance you can contact for support when traveling across the U.S. and Canada. Depending on your plan, they can drive to your location, diagnose your engine issues and tow you to your destination or a nearby mechanic. You may want to consider purchasing this membership for this support, which can start at $51.50 a year in some states.^[6]

Roadside Assistance

Some insurance companies may offer roadside assistance, usually as an insurance rider or a standalone policy. The exact service offered by insurers' roadside assistance policies may vary, but most will be able to tow your car to a nearby mechanic and provide you with limited transportation.

Ask for Help

When all else fails, contact help to transport you somewhere safe. If you’re local, try friends or relatives who can give you a lift. If you’re currently out of town, try contacting local police or highway patrol, who may be able to assist you. If you have internet service, you may also be able to contact a nearby mechanic or towing service who can transport your car.

How To File a Claim for a Blown Engine

You can file a claim after an accident as you normally would, which can usually be done by mobile app or calling an agent and the fact that your engine is blown will be cited after the car is inspected. If you were involved in a car accident, don’t tell the insurance adjuster that the accident caused the engine failure if the problem existed before the accident. Lying to get reimbursement from an insurance provider is considered insurance fraud, which is not taken lightly and could potentially result in legal consequences.