Does State Farm Cover Engine Failure?
State Farm does not cover engine failure unless it results from an incident that was a covered claim.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
Table of Contents
- Does State Farm car insurance cover engine failure?
- What is mechanical breakdown insurance?
- Does State Farm offer MBI?
- Are there any other coverage options for engine failure?
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
State Farm’s
car insurance
coverage does not cover engine failure unless it’s directly related to a covered claim, like a car accident. However, there are other kinds of coverage that can help pay for mechanical failure. The dreaded check engine light—no one wants to see it. If you’re like most of us, the first thing that pops into your head is “how much is this gonna cost me?” If you’re wondering whether or not your State Farm auto insurance policy will help cover the cost of repairs, the bad news is that in most scenarios, it won’t. However, there are a few other options—read on for more!
Does State Farm car insurance cover engine failure?
Generally, no. Like most auto insurance companies,
State Farm
’s policies don’t cover engine failure. The exception to this would be if the engine failure was linked to a covered claim. Let’s look at a few examples. During a bad storm, a large branch falls across the hood of your car. You contact your insurance company and file a claim using your
comprehensive coverage
. You pay your deductible, the auto shop repairs the damages, and you drive off into the sunset. Yay! A week later, your car won’t start. A more thorough examination by the mechanic reveals some engine damage that was caused by the falling branch, which caused mechanical issues that resulted in engine failure. In this case, you would be covered, as the engine failure was tied to a covered claim.
The same goes for any events that fall under your
collision coverage
. If you hit a deer with your car one night and the damage itself results in engine failure, then your insurance would pay for the engine failure in that scenario. But if you wake up one day to a blown engine that was the result of normal wear and tear or misuse, then neither your collision nor your comprehensive insurance would cover that. While it can be a little frustrating to discover your
full-coverage
insurance policy doesn’t fully cover everything, there are some other options.RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What is mechanical breakdown insurance?
Mechanical breakdown insurance
(MBI) is a type of additional coverage that some car insurance companies offer. Unlike liability insurance
, MBI is optional and covers major mechanical failures that wouldn’t normally be covered by a routine car insurance policy or factory warranty. And it’s not just engine problems that MBI would cover—issues with your brakes, electrical systems, transmission, or the failure of any other major system would be included.
Having MBI means that mechanical issues with your car that aren’t covered by your comprehensive or collision insurance would still be eligible for insurance claims. However, it does not cover car repair that’s needed due to poor maintenance or misuse.
So if you never
change your oil
and it results in your engine going kaput, you’re going to have to pay out of pocket for that one. See why it’s important to keep up with your basic maintenance
?Speaking of car-related chores, MBI doesn’t cover any sort of routine maintenance, like tune-ups or recommended repairs. It’s also important to note that there is a lot of overlap between MBI and a vehicle’s factory warranty, so you might not want to consider an MBI until your warranty has run out.
But just a heads up: you often have to purchase your MBI before your warranty expires, so if it’s something you’re interested in, remember to plan ahead!
Does State Farm offer MBI?
Unfortunately, no. As of 2021, State Farm does not offer mechanical breakdown insurance. However, many of its competitors do.
Allstate
, GEICO
, and American Family all offer highly-rated mechanical breakdown insurance—but some other large providers, like Progressive
, don’t. In order to have mechanical breakdown insurance, you would likely need to have a full-coverage policy as well. So if you currently have State Farm car insurance and really want MBI, then you’ll need to change insurance companies.
But who knows—you might find a better deal, as
frequent shopping
for auto insurance coverage can be a great way to lower your premiums. Just make sure to ask if they offer MBI! Are there any other coverage options for engine failure?
Another option that provides coverage for engine failure is an extended warranty. Basically, this is just what it sounds like: a warranty that extends past the point of the factory one. You can purchase an extended warranty through the dealership where you’re purchasing your car, but there are also several third-party providers of extended warranties.
These can be real lifesavers if something major breaks down on your vehicle, but extended warranties aren’t always worth the extra money. You want to take into account the type of car you have, the cost of commonly-needed repairs, and the cost of the warranty itself.
If you’re buying a used car with an
actual cash value (ACV)
that’s about the same as the cost of an extended warranty, it wouldn’t be the wisest move. But if it’s a brand new, luxurious-but-notoriously-temperamental BMW
, an extended warranty might well be worth the investment. You’ll also want to be aware of the time frame in which you are allowed to purchase an extended warranty. Sometimes you have to purchase it at the same time you buy the car, and sometimes it can be added later. Like a regular warranty (or MBI), an extended warranty won’t cover any issues that arise due to misuse or neglect.
There’s no amount of insurance or warranties that cover absolutely everything in every scenario, but having an extended warranty or MBI in addition to a full-coverage policy will cover as many bases as possible.
If you’re the cautious type or have a high-value car that is prone to breaking down, then they might be an option worth looking into—just make sure to balance your insurance cost with the value of your vehicle.
"I can’t thank theJerryapp enough! They saved me $160 a month, and I didn’t even have to talk over the phone. They took care of everything through text.” —Travis Y.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
FAQs
Does car insurance cover engine problems?
Broadly speaking, no—unless the engine problems are a direct result of a covered claim. If your car fell victim to vandalism and the damage led to systemic mechanical problems, then your insurance claim for the vandalism would likely cover those engine problems.
Do car warranties cover engine failures?
In general, yes. As long as your car is still under warranty, most engine failures should be covered. However, if the engine failure is due to misuse or neglecting routine maintenance, that would void your warranty—and you’d be out of luck.
4.7
