Does car insurance cover repairs?

No, traditional car insurance does not cover ordinary repairs or maintenance to your car. If your car is covered by comprehensive insurance, your insurance company will cover mechanical repairs caused by a car accident, natural disasters, or other unforeseeable events.

Insurance companies do offer a type of coverage that policy holders can use for repairs. This coverage is called mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), or repair insurance. MBI is offered by some insurance companies and comes with a deductible. MBI deductibles tend to be low, and in the event your car needs major mechanical repairs, this type of coverage could save you thousands of dollars. It usually covers repairs to your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, transmission, brakes, exhaust and power system.

With many policies, MBI coverage cannot be used for car maintenance, or for tire replacement, coolant replacement or other minor repairs. It’s also important to keep in mind that some insurance companies that offer MBI only do so for newer models and vehicles under a certain mileage.

If you’re considering purchasing MBI coverage, it’s a good idea to carefully read the provider’s policy in order to understand required qualifications for and limitations of the offered coverage.

Standard liability car insurance does not cover repairs unless they’re for damage caused by an accident, but other car insurance coverage options can help with non-accident repairs. Comprehensive insurance covers damage not caused by an accident, and mechanical breakdown insurance covers engine repairs and more. There are no car insurance policies that cover regular maintenance such as oil changes or new tires, though.

Car Insurance That Covers Non-Accident Repairs

Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) can help pay for things if your car breaks down and needs repairs like new brakes, a new transmission, or a new fuel system. Your insurance provider will have its own rules regarding what kinds of vehicles are eligible for MBI coverage.

Comprehensive coverage, sometimes called other-than-collision insurance, is a type of first-party coverage for physical damage to your vehicle caused by incidents other than accidents, such as severe weather or vandalism.Major Mechanical Protection (MMP) helps pay to repair/replace a vehicle’s main components, like a transmission or engine, when they fail or malfunction. MMP does not cover general maintenance, and it is available from car dealers and vehicle manufacturers, rather than traditional car insurance companies.