Does GEICO Insurance Cover Engine Failure?
GEICO insurance covers engine failure in certain situations. Mechanical breakdown insurance will reimburse you for engine failure caused by a factory defect.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Amy Bobinger
Table of Contents
- Does GEICO car insurance cover engine failure?
- What is mechanical breakdown insurance?
- Does GEICO offer MBI?
- How to get mechanical breakdown coverage from GEICO
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
GEICO will only cover engine failure if your insurance policy includes mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). This supplemental type of auto insurance covers major mechanical failure and other major mechanical problems—like engine failure. GEICO mechanical breakdown insurance is only available for a new car or leased car that is under 15 months old and less than 15,000 miles on the odometer.
When you buy or lease a new vehicle,
car insurance
coverage options can feel overwhelming at first. Is it wise to purchase mechanical breakdown insurance, or will engine failure be covered under your vehicle’s factory warranty? To help you traverse through what
car repairs
GEICO MBI covers, what it doesn’t, and whether it's worth buying, we’ve done the research for you. Here’s what you need to know about GEICO insurance
and engine failure. Does GEICO car insurance cover engine failure?
There are a few instances in which GEICO, as well as other car insurance companies, will
cover engine failure
, but it ultimately depends on the types of coverage you have as part of your insurance policy. If you’re involved in a major car accident that results in engine failure, GEICO may cover the car repair after you put in an insurance claim for the damage as long as you’re carrying
collision coverage
. If you’re carrying comprehensive coverage
and your engine fails due to vandalism or a severe weather event, your insurance provider will also reimburse you for the damage. Another way to have your insurance company cover engine failure is by purchasing
mechanical breakdown insurance
. RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What is mechanical breakdown insurance?
Similar to a car warranty, mechanical breakdown insurance covers the replacement cost if a component on your vehicle fails suddenly and your car requires a (potentially expensive) trip to the repair shop in order to be driveable again.
MBI is an optional coverage type that you can add to your existing insurance premium for some extra peace of mind. That being said, not all auto insurance companies offer MBI coverage. For instance,
Allstate
and Progressive
do not sell MBI, but they both have 24/7 roadside assistance programs which can be a great help when your vehicle breaks down. Does GEICO offer MBI?
Yes, but certain exclusions apply. For one, if you want to purchase mechanical breakdown coverage you must add it to your auto insurance policy when your vehicle is 15 months or newer and has less than 15,000 miles on it. Vehicles that don’t meet these criteria won’t qualify.
Once you add MBI coverage, GEICO will allow you to renew this car insurance policy for up to seven years or 100,000 miles—whichever happens first. If you do put in an MBI claim, you’ll be required to pay a $250 deductible out of pocket before MBI covers the rest.
GEICO’s MBI coverage will reimburse you for engine failure—but that's not all. This type of car insurance will also assist you with payment to fix the mechanical failure or malfunction of the following vehicle systems:
- Powertrain components
- Drivetrain components
- Electrical functions
- Cooling system
- Steering system
- Drive axle
- Suspension
With that in mind, there are also certain repairs that will not be paid for by GEICO MBI coverage. These include:
- Tune-ups or routine maintenance
- Wheel balancing
- Components that malfunction due to wear and tear such as spark plugs or brake pads
- Damage due to negligence or a car accident
- Improper use of fluids, coolants, or other lubricants
Remember, it is possible for your insurance provider to cover engine failure due to events like an accident or vandalism—but they won’t involve MBI. To safeguard your engine from these types of damages, you should consider purchasing both collision insurance and comprehensive insurance.
How to get mechanical breakdown coverage from GEICO
As long as the vehicle you’ve leased from a dealership or newly purchased is less than 15 months old and has fewer than 15,000 miles on it, you can contact an insurance agent at GEICO to add MBI to your existing policy. An agent will be able to provide details on MBI insurance rates or other supplemental coverage types. GEICO’s customer service phone number is (800) 861-8380.
You may be wondering if opting for MBI through GEICO is worth it since you’re vehicle is basically brand new and will be protected by the manufacturer’s warranty, which should be in effect for three years or 36,000 miles—if not longer depending on the vehicle you drive. A manufacturer’s warranty offers bumper-to-bumper protection if any vehicular components malfunction due to defect during that time.
As we mentioned earlier, GEICO’s MBI is renewable for up to seven years or 100,000 miles as long as you purchase it within the insurer’s specified timeframe. True, getting an extended car warranty often grants you protection for up to eight years, but it’s not uncommon for upfront costs to start in the $1,000 range—and that’s not even including the cost of a deductible.
Another benefit of purchasing MBI through GEICO is that you’ll be able to have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice. When you’re under warranty, you may be obligated to have all repairs done through certain participating mechanic facilities that work with the dealership.
When you get mechanical breakdown coverage from GEICO, the rate is much more competitive. On average, MBI adds about $100 to your annual premium—and if you pay off your premium in installments, the payments may be more manageable.
"UsingJerryis a super straightforward process, and at each step, you can see exactly what coverage you’re paying for. Thanks to Jerry, I’m paying $900 less each year while keeping full coverage for my new car!” —Martin H.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
FAQs
Does car insurance cover engine problems?
It depends. If you have a full coverage insurance policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage and your vehicle is experiencing engine issues caused by an accident, vandalism, or weather damage insurance will likely help you pay for the replacement or repairs.
If you have mechanical breakdown insurance and your engine fails due to a manufacturer defect, this coverage will reimburse you for the damage.
Do car warranties cover engine failures?
Like mechanical breakdown insurance, a factory warranty or extended warranty will cover engine failure if it’s caused by a defect. If your engine failure is due to general wear and tear or improper maintenance, a car warranty will not pay for the replacement or repairs.
Does car insurance cover engine problems?
It depends. If you have a full coverage insurance policy that includes collision and comprehensive coverage and your vehicle is experiencing engine issues caused by an accident, vandalism, or weather damage insurance will likely help you pay for the replacement or repairs.
If you have mechanical breakdown insurance and your engine fails due to a manufacturer defect, this coverage will reimburse you for the damage.
Do car warranties cover engine failures?
Like mechanical breakdown insurance, a factory warranty or extended warranty will cover engine failure if it’s caused by a defect. If your engine failure is due to general wear and tear or improper maintenance, a car warranty will not pay for the replacement or repairs.
4.7
