Mechanical breakdown insurance, on the other hand, is designed to help cover the cost of car repairs that are not related to an accident or incident covered under your car insurance policy. This type of coverage is similar to an extended warranty for your car, but is purchased from a car insurance company as a standalone policy or an endorsement to your auto insurance policy. With mechanical breakdown insurance, your insurance company helps pay for the cost of certain repairs.

What is mechanical breakdown insurance?

Mechanical breakdown insurance, also called car repair insurance, is a type of insurance policy or an endorsement to your auto insurance policy that helps cover the cost of mechanical and electrical repairs for your vehicle. This type of coverage can be beneficial because it fills some gaps in your standard auto insurance policy.

Every company covers different repairs, but you can expect most policies to cover the following:

  • Brakes
  • Drivetrain
  • Engine
  • Exhaust
  • Heating and cooling system
  • Internal computer and GPS
  • Steering
  • Transmission

Mechanical breakdown insurance strictly covers internal systems and components. It does not cover damage resulting from an accident — that is covered by a full coverage auto insurance policy — nor does it cover exterior damage. Car repair insurance also typically doesn’t cover general maintenance, wear and tear, neglect or tire issues.

Despite the term “breakdown,” mechanical breakdown insurance is not the same thing as roadside assistance. It won’t cover towing if you break down on the side of the road. However, if your car broke down because of engine failure or transmission issues, mechanical breakdown insurance would help cover the cost of repairs at an auto body shop.

How does mechanical breakdown insurance work?

Mechanical breakdown insurance works like a regular car insurance policy. If a system in your car malfunctions, you will contact the insurance company and file a claim. Depending on the problem, you might need to take the car to a mechanic to get an estimate for the cost of repairs.

Once your claim is approved, you should receive a payout for the repairs, minus the cost of your deductible. Most insurance companies allow drivers to take their car to a mechanic of their choosing. If you don’t have a mechanic, the insurance company can probably recommend one for you.

How much does mechanical breakdown insurance cost?

The cost of car repair insurance varies based on a number of factors, the first of which is the company that you purchase your coverage from. Every company sets its own rates, and just like with the cost of auto insurance, prices will vary. Additionally, you may pay more if you purchase a standalone mechanical breakdown policy rather than adding coverage as an endorsement to your auto insurance policy.

The type of car you drive could also impact the cost of this coverage. The cost for mechanical breakdown insurance will likely be higher for vehicles that cost more to repair. For example, because luxury cars will typically cost more to fix than standard private passenger cars, car repair coverage for a luxury vehicle will likely be more expensive than it is for your daily car.

Which companies offer mechanical breakdown insurance?

There are a number of companies that offer mechanical breakdown insurance. Here are some of the providers that sell it:

  • AAA
  • Allstate
  • American Family
  • Geico
  • Mercury

Checking with your provider to see if it offers mechanical breakdown insurance might be the fastest way to see if you have access to this coverage.

What is the difference between mechanical breakdown insurance and an extended warranty?

Mechanical breakdown insurance is similar to an extended warranty in that they both cover the cost of certain vehicle repairs. However, there are a number of key differences.

An extended warranty typically does not come with a deductible, whereas mechanical breakdown insurance does. Extended warranties may also be more expensive than car repair insurance. Consumer Reports revealed that the average extended warranty costs $1,200 per year. While the study did not reveal the cost for mechanical breakdown insurance, it is likely to be far less expensive, especially when added as an endorsement to an existing auto insurance policy.

Additionally, because extended warranties are not a type of insurance, you may have to pay the full cost up front, rather than having the option to pay in installments. When it comes to getting repairs, drivers with an extended warranty often have to take their car to an approved auto body shop.

The age of your car might also limit you from getting an extended warranty. Typically, only brand new cars and some lightly used cars qualify for an extended warranty. On the other hand, you might be able to purchase mechanical breakdown insurance for a used car, as long as it’s under ~15,000 miles. However, each company will have its own guidelines about which cars qualify for car repair coverage.

Is mechanical breakdown insurance worth it?

Ultimately, purchasing mechanical breakdown insurance is a personal decision. It may be worth it for some and not for others.

For example, if you need to replace your engine, it might cost $4,000. That’s significantly more than you are likely to spend on the insurance coverage and deductible. In that case, mechanical breakdown coverage could save you a lot of money.

However, consider a less expensive repair. Say you need to replace your steering column, which will cost $300. If you’re paying $100 for insurance and have a $250 deductible, you’re paying more money out-of-pocket for insurance than the cost of the repair. In that case, you’re not saving any money by having mechanical breakdown insurance.

Another thing to consider is the age of your car. Older cars and vehicles with high mileage might be more likely to break down. If your car isn’t the most reliable model, a mechanical breakdown policy might be worth the money.

So, who might want to skip mechanical breakdown coverage? New car owners. If you buy a new car from a dealership, it might already come with a warranty. If you purchase mechanical breakdown coverage, you could be paying for duplicate coverage. Once the initial warranty ends, you might consider purchasing an extended warranty if you want to avoid a deductible.