Allstate’s extended vehicle care plans are similar to mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) policies or extended warranties. Extended vehicle care from Allstate covers repair costs for multiple vehicle components and comes with higher limitations than MBIs or manufacturer extended warranties.
New car warranties usually last around three years, and after that, you’re responsible for any car repair
costs that pop up as your vehicle gets older. Thankfully, most car insurance companies offer mechanical breakdown insurance to lower the financial burden of an aging vehicle. Allstate’s extended vehicle car plans are equipped with the coverage and benefits to keep your car on the road after your manufacturer’s warranty expires. In this guide, we’ll go over Allstate’s extended vehicle care plans, including their offerings, what’s excluded, costs, and whether it’s worth the added protection.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Allstate extended vehicle care: the basics
You can add extended vehicle care—typically known as mechanical breakdown insurance
(MBI)—to a standard Allstate insurance policy or purchase one through the dealership when you buy your car. Regular car insurance policies cover accidents and other preventable incidents, but extended vehicle care adds protection against unanticipated repair costs. With extended vehicle care, Allstate will handle the parts and labor costs associated with designated repairs from general vehicle use—no accident or incident needed. Here’s a breakdown of Allstate’s extended vehicle care coverage:
Who’s eligible: You can add extended vehicle care coverage to your Allstate insurance any time before your car hits its seventh birthday and/or 100,000 miles. You must have an auto insurance policy with Allstate or request extended vehicle care through a select dealership.
How long it lasts: Extended vehicle care from Allstate lasts seven years or 100,000 miles—whichever comes first.
What you pay: Your extended vehicle care costs will be added to your annual insurance premium with a minimum $50 deductible. Plans typically range around $300 to $720 annually.
What it covers: Extended vehicle care from Allstate covers repair costs for your car’s powertrain, core systems, and comfort and technology. It does not cover normal maintenance, issues from improper maintenance, or intentional damage.
What does Allstate extended vehicle care insurance cover?
Let’s take a closer look at Allstate’s extended vehicle care coverage. Similar to a manufacturer’s warranty
on a new vehicle, extended vehicle care will cover most of your car’s major mechanical systems. This includes powertrain issues, problems with the steering system or suspension, and any repairs needed for the electrical or cooling systems. With up to four options for extended care, you can enjoy any of the following plans and their included coverage:
Allstate extended vehicle care plan | |
|---|
| engine, transmission, drive axle |
| engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes, suspension, air conditioning, steering, fuel pump, alternator |
| engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes, suspension, air conditioning, steering, fuel pump, alternator, ignition coils, fuel distributor, fuel injectors, cruise control, dash gauges |
| engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes, suspension, air conditioning, steering, fuel pump, alternator, ignition coils, fuel distributor, fuel injectors, cruise control, dash gauges, power window motors, throttle, headlamp motors, power seats, exclusionaryEach plan builds on the basic care coverage, with the premier plan holding the widest range of repairs covered. Depending on your plan, Allstate will handle the repair costs for any of the components included, minus your deductible. |
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Unlike a new car warranty that requires you to bring your vehicle into the dealership for repairs, Allstate’s extended vehicle care plans allow you to use a trustworthy repair shop for any applicable fixes.
What does extended vehicle care not cover?
Allstate’s extended vehicle care covers a long list of systems and parts, but there are a few exclusions:
Regular maintenance (oil changes, filters, fluids)
Brake pads and brake shoes
Improper maintenance damage
If you have collision insurance
or comprehensive coverage
with Allstate, there may be some repairs that fall under those coverages instead of your extended vehicle care plan. And if your mechanical problems are tied to a maintenance issue, like a failing engine from delayed oil changes, your repairs will not be covered. How much does Allstate extended vehicle care insurance cost?
While the exact numbers will depend on your vehicle, mileage, and location, Allstate typically offers extended vehicle care for anywhere around $25 to $60 per month. Annual costs can range between $300 to $720 per year depending on various factors, including:
Your vehicle’s size and mileage: larger vehicles with higher mileage receive higher rates for extended vehicle care
Your vehicle’s technical components: vehicles with pricier or more intricate technical components can expect higher extended vehicle care premiums
Your vehicle’s reliability ratings: poor reliability ratings lead to higher extended vehicle care costs, whereas high reliability ratings can bring down your premiums
Let’s say you drive a luxury SUV like the all-new BMW XM, fully equipped with top trim-level driver assistance tech. Your Bimmer will return a higher extended vehicle care price than an average sedan, like the Honda Civic
. Is Allstate extended vehicle care insurance worth it?
It depends on your vehicle and your financial situation. Extended vehicle care allows you to pay a limited fee for the benefit of added protection in the event of unexpected car issues. Unlike the 36,000-mile max on manufacturer warranties, extended vehicle care offers a longer mileage range of 100,000 miles, which will protect your vehicle on a long-term basis.
But let’s say your car doesn’t need any major repairs before it hits 100,000 miles. In this case, you might feel like you wasted money on protection you never needed. And it’ll be pretty bummy if your vehicle encounters issues that aren’t covered by your extended vehicle care, leading you to pay for both repairs and your extended warranty premium.
You’ll need to decide how far you’re willing to go to protect your vehicle and your bank account from repair bills. If you’re not too confident in your vehicle’s ability to uphold its mechanical systems to 100,000 miles and you don’t think you’ll be able to handle the cost of repairs, extended vehicle care from Allstate may be worth it.
Extended vehicle care vs. extended warranty
Allstate’s extended vehicle care may seem similar to an extended warranty, but if you’re deciding between the two, you should take note of these comparable differences:
| Allstate extended vehicle care | |
|---|
| Can be added to a vehicle less than seven years old or under 100,000 miles | Can be added to a vehicle at almost any point |
| Basic care, standard care, preferred care, premier care | Multiple tiers of coverage from different providers |
| Maximum limit of 7 years/100,000 miles | Coverage options can extend to 15 years/300,000 miles |
| | Deductibles range from $0 to $250 |
| | |
| Towing, emergency roadside services, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage, optional tire and wheel coverage, optional windshield and dent repair coverage | Roadside assistance often included |
| | $1,300 to $4,000 per year |
Key Takeaway Allstate’s extended vehicle care comes with a lower deductible and a few extra added benefits, plus it’s cheaper than an extended car warranty.
The bottom line
If you’re looking for some added financial protection against paying for car repairs and you don’t mind adding to your annual car insurance costs, Allstate’s extended vehicle care may be a good option for you.
With this in mind, Allstate’s plans are slightly pricier than MBI coverage from other insurance companies, so (as always) you should shop around before making a final decision.
If you want to keep your car insurance
premiums down, you should skip the added costs of extended vehicle care. Collision and comprehensive coverage can go a long way in covering damages caused by covered incidents, and they’re typically cheaper than extended vehicle care or MBI insurance. "Jerry
is the future of car insurance! I downloaded the app, entered the information, picked my insurance rate, and paid my fee. I even switched insurance providers easily! Jerry saved me $182/month so quickly!” —Paulina F.
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