Does Car Insurance Cover the Engine? How to Protect Your Car’s Engine

Car insurance is a legal policy that you must have in place to legally be on the roads. Not only that, but it protects you from the financial shortfall that can occur if you have an accident. Car insurance policies cover various parts of your car arising from a range of different incidents, but some elements may not be covered. Engines are covered in some scenarios, but not all…

This guide will explore which car insurance policies will cover your engine, what other policies are available if your car insurance doesn’t apply, and how you can look after your car engine to prevent issues arising in the future.

What Usually Causes a Car Engine Failure?

Car engine failure usually happens over time, but they can deteriorate faster without proper care and attention. Car engines typically fail due to:

• Wear and tear, which can happen when your car reaches a certain age

• Overheating due to a failing water pump, broken thermostat or coolant leaks

• Fuel problems, such as clogged fuel filters

• Ignoring the “check engine” light

• Timing belt/chain failure

• Poor maintenance, such as a failure on your part to take the vehicle for regular servicing

Car engines can also fail due to damage caused by road traffic collisions, as well as fire and flooding. All of these scenarios are usually covered under a car insurance policy or a GAP insurance policy, but it can depend on various factors…

Do All Car Insurance Policies Cover Engines?

If your engine was damaged due to wear and tear or poor maintenance, you will not be covered by your car insurance, no matter which type you have. Car insurance is in place for the unexpected such as accidents or theft, and the engine will only be covered if an insured event took place to damage it.

Comprehensive car insurance will cover damage to the engine in the event of an accident, fire, flood or theft, whereas third party, fire and theft policies will only cover the engine if it is damaged by a fire or the car is stolen. Third party only policies are the bare legal minimum, and will not cover damage to the engine.

Comprehensive car insurance policies will cover the repairs or replacement of your engine if it is damaged in a road traffic accident, vandalised, set on fire, flooded or stolen. However, car insurance won’t cover you if your engine simply suffers a mechanical fault due to wear and tear. Extended car warranty policies or breakdown cover is your answer should you experience a fault when out on the road.

What Other Policies Can Protect My Engine?

To ensure your engine is always protected, extended car warranty and breakdown cover can assist.

Extended Car Warranty

Once your manufacturer warranty runs out, an extended car warranty policy helps you out if a mechanical or electrical fault takes place. The engine is covered in most standard extended car warranty policies; our silver policies at ALA cover the engine and parts such as the cylinder head, oil pump and crankshaft. More comprehensive policies, such as gold and platinum, will cover more aspects. You can view our extended car warranty coverage options here.

You must keep up with the service requirements of your vehicle to ensure your claim is accepted.

Breakdown Cover

Breakdown policies also cover engine faults if they cause your car to break down. Depending on the level of cover you have, engine faults can either be repaired at a roadside, or your vehicle can be taken to a garage for repairs there. Breakdown cover will pay for labour costs of technicians and mechanics, but won’t pay for repairs or a new engine. Some policies allow you to add the cost of parts to your policy, but these are included in my comprehensive policies.

See if our breakdown policies could work for you here.

How Can I Look After My Car Engine?

To prevent issues from occurring in the future, take the necessary steps to try and keep your engine safe. These include:

• Check fluid levels frequently: a lack of oil or coolant is a common culprit for engine failure, so check your levels monthly to ensure you have enough to keep things running smoothly.
• Keep up with servicing: whether your car is new or old, servicing is highly recommended. Routine services can help ensure that your car is roadworthy, and can help prevent breakdowns by replacing worn parts such as engine oil. Servicing can also keep your warranty valid.
• Warm the engine before driving, especially in the winter: your dashboard will usually tell you the temperature of your engine oil. Revving the engine straight away, especially in cold weather, can cause internal friction and wear.
• Replace your engine air filters: this usually happens every year, or every 12,000 miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mechanical faults included in car insurance?

No, mechanical faults are not typically covered in car insurance, as your policy is only reserved for unforeseen circumstances such as accidents. Mechanical faults are usually covered in car warranty policies.

Will car insurance pay for repairs if my engine suddenly breaks down?

No, car insurance won’t pay for repairs if the break down was caused by wear and tear or a mechanical fault. Repairs would be paid for if the engine was damaged in an insured event, such as a road traffic collision.

Are there specific circumstances when car insurance covers engine failure?

Your car insurance will cover your engine if it is damaged during a collision, fire, flood or any other unforeseen accident, depending on the level of cover you have.

Can I make an insurance claim for engine failure due to wear and tear?

No, wear and tear is not covered by car insurance, nor is it covered by your warranty.

Do insurance companies cover engine faults caused by water or fire damage?

Yes, if your engine is damaged by a fire or a flood, comprehensive policies and third party, fire and theft will cover you. Third-party only, however, will not.