Does auto insurance cover repairs?

Many drivers wonder, does auto insurance cover repairs? Certain types of auto insurance do cover repairs, but basic policies mandated by state laws typically do not.

Below, discover what auto insurance coverages pay for repairs for your vehicle, compare average rates by state, and determine if full coverage auto insurance is right for you.

After learning how to buy auto insurance that covers repairs, remember to enter your ZIP code into our free rate tool above to compare quotes from reputable companies near you.

Does auto insurance cover repairs?

Certain types of auto insurance coverages do pay for repairs to your vehicle. But your liability auto insurance typically required by state law does not cover any damage to your car.

Instead, your liability coverage pays for damage to another party if you’re found responsible for causing an accident.

So, technically, if you live in an at-fault state, you file a third-party claim through the responsible driver’s liability insurance to cover your property damage or any bodily injuries.

But otherwise, you must invest in either comprehensive insurance or collision insurance to ensure your policy pays for repairs to your vehicle.

However, some companies offer mechanical breakdown insurance as well.

If you purchase both collision and comprehensive insurance types in addition to your state minimum legal requirements, it’s considered full coverage insurance.

Although, technically, this term does not have a specific agreed-upon definition.

https://youtu.be/PiYyLELU5l4

Full coverage auto insurance costs $84 per month or $1,009 annually on average.

So, does full coverage auto insurance cover repairs? Yes, as long as you purchased collision and comprehensive coverage.

But what do these insurance types specifically protect you from? Read on to find out.

What do comprehensive and collision insurance cover?

Collision insurance protects your vehicle from damage while it’s in motion, including hitting a tree, building, telephone pole, or another car. (For more information, read our “Does auto insurance cover hiting a pole?“).

Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle from damage while it’s parked, including acts of nature, vandalism, flooding, fires, and auto theft.

There are also auto insurance deductibles associated with both of these insurance types.

A deductible is an amount you agree to pay out of pocket before your insurance company steps in.

Expect comprehensive auto insurance quotes that cover repairs to be slightly cheaper than collision costs. This is because collision claims cost more on average than comprehensive claims.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average collision claim severity in 2020 was $3,588. However, the average comprehensive claim severity was only $1,995.

On average, comprehensive insurance costs $12 per month or $148.04 annually. Collision auto insurance rates that cover repairs cost an average of $26 per month or $322.61 per year.

But your auto insurance costs heavily depend on your ZIP code. So in the table below, compare the average annual collision and comprehensive insurance rates by the state.

Average Annual Collision and Comprehensive Auto Insurance Rates by State

Many different variables impact your auto insurance costs. For example, your age, driving record, ZIP code, and local laws all affect your rates.

So, to secure your cheapest possible auto insurance rates, compare quotes online from different providers. Remember to also ask about auto insurance discounts you’re eligible to earn.

What is mechanical breakdown insurance?

Some drivers wonder, does auto insurance cover non-accident repairs?

Fortunately, comprehensive insurance, also referred to as “other than collision”, does protect your vehicle from damage not caused by a crash.

But does auto insurance cover mechanical problems? Usually, your insurance policy does not help with mechanical breakdowns due to vehicle age or wear and tear.

However, some companies do offer specific mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) as an optional policy add-on.

MBI does not replace or pay for your filters, tires, spark plugs, brake pads, or fluids.

However, it may cover your drivetrain, engine, transmission, brakes, exhaust, steering wheel, power system, air conditioning, and fuel system.

So does auto insurance cover engine failure if you purchase mechanical breakdown insurance? It likely does, but it depends on the details of your specific policy.

Essentially, MBI works like an extended warranty or a service contract offered by car dealerships, but there are a few distinctions.

What’s the difference between MBI and extended warranty coverage? Extended warranties may be cheaper than MBI coverage. But, typically, your coverage from the warranty is more limited than through insurance.

What are the limits of MBI? Repairs must be done at an approved repair shop. You also usually have to pay a deductible.

But the amount is usually low, between $250 to $400. Moreover, since engine repairs can cost thousands of dollars, the coverage is generally worth it even after paying for the deductible out of pocket.

However, MBI coverage still does not include maintenance, like changing your tires or replacing the coolant. Plus, exclusions may apply.

Finally, not every company offers this type of coverage. Similarly, not every car qualifies.

For example, older cars or vehicles with lots of miles are typically denied MBI coverage. So the coverage may terminate when your vehicle ages.

Does auto insurance cover repairs? The Bottom Line

Your auto insurance policy can cover repairs to your vehicle, but you need to invest in specific insurance types, including collision, comprehensive, or mechanical breakdown insurance.

But basic auto insurance policies that meet state minimum requirements usually do not cover damage to your own car or property.

You should not have any problems finding an auto insurance company that covers repairs, as most national companies offer collision and comprehensive insurance.

However, MBI coverage may not be available through all companies. So comparison shop online and ask about the details of different MBI policies to help you determine the right company for you.

Now that you’re an expert on affordable auto insurance that covers repairs, secure your best coverage from the top companies by entering your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below.