The only way your auto insurance policy will cover a new clutch is if the clutch was damaged in an accident that is covered. Car insurance policies are not meant to cover normal wear and tear to your car. However, all is not lost! Let’s talk about vehicle damage versus wear and tear and how you might have both types of work covered.
Damage Versus Wear and Tear
First, let’s make sure we explain the difference between damage and wear and tear when it comes to your car.
Damage to your car, in order to be covered by your auto insurance policy, would have to have been caused by an accident or other type of incident that is covered by your specific policy. Here are a few general examples. To find out if you are covered, you must look at your specific policy options.
- Collision Damage (with an object or another vehicle)
- Weather/Storm Damage
- Vandalism
- Windshield Cracks
- Fire Damage
As stated, wear and tear are not covered by a standard auto insurance policy. While it’s only natural for your car to show signs of use as you drive it, this doesn’t mean your insurance company is going to pick up the cost for repairs. Here are a few examples of wear and tear that won’t likely be covered by your car insurance:
- General Maintenance
- Computer/Electronics Issues
- Blown Clutch/Brakes/Transmission
- Peeling Paint/Rust
- Interior Damages
If you have an older car, you may be worried about paying for wear and tear. So, do you have any options for coverage for something like your clutch replacement? There are some potential alternative insurance options that may help. Let’s take a look at them.
What is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance?
There are companies that act like extended warranties for your vehicle, and these companies may be able to help with wear and tear costs. But if you want to stick with your current insurance company, you will want to look into mechanical breakdown insurance.
Mechanical breakdown insurance, or MBI, is offered by some insurance companies as a complement to your basic auto insurance. MBI is intended to cover costs that are not related to an accident. Accident-related damages are covered under basic insurance through your collision and comprehensive coverage.
Don’t expect MBI to cover things like tune-ups and oil changes, but it can be there for you if your clutch fails or your transmission blows. And this can save you thousands!
If you have a newer vehicle, you may still have a warranty that could cover some mechanical breakdown situations. And you may also have an extended warranty. Let’s see how this compares to mechanical breakdown insurance coverage.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Compared to an Extended Warranty
You probably had an extended warranty included as part of your car purchase. Mostly, an extended warranty is the same as mechanical breakdown insurance. Here are the differences:
- Mechanical breakdown insurance is usually cheaper than an extended warranty
- Mechanical breakdown insurance does not require payment in full, extended warranties do
- Mechanical breakdown insurance is more flexible about where you have the work done.
If you’re interested in MBI, InsuranceWins is a great place to start. With our simple form, you can get car insurance quotes, including those offering mechanical breakdown coverage, by filling out our simple form. Comparing quotes is the best way to save money and InsuranceWins makes it easy
