Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a manufacturer’s defect?
Car insurance does not usually cover damage caused by a manufacturer's defect. You will need a company warranty to cover a manufacturer's defect. If the damage is mechanical, you can only claim against your insurance if it relates to a covered peril (such as an accident).
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Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Car insurance does not cover damage caused by a manufacturer’s defect
- Your car insurance would not cover mechanical damage unless it was due to an accident
- Your insurance will cover damage to your vehicle in an accident if you have collision or comprehensive cover in place
If you believe your car has a manufacturing defect that led to some damage, you may wonder who is responsible. Does car insurance cover damage caused by a manufacturer’s defect? Is it possible to claim against your car insurance coverage for this scenario?
We understand this can be confusing, so we have researched for you and answered the question below.
Car Insurance Won’t Cover Damage Caused by a Manufacturer’s Defect
You cannot claim against your car insurance if you suspect that a manufacturer’s defect caused damage to your vehicle. Your car insurance policy will not cover mechanical damage, and you should turn to your vehicle warranty for guidance.
However, if you have mechanical damage due to an accident, you can claim if you have a collision or comprehensive insurance policy in place. If another driver caused the accident, their liability coverage should pay for your bodywork and mechanical repairs.
Who Pays for Damages Caused by Manufacturer Defect
If you can prove that your vehicle has a manufacturing defect, you may be able to pursue the company that made the car. Vehicle manufacturers often have liability insurance coverage in these situations.
If you have a manufacturer’s warranty (or extended warranty), refer to the details for coverage and exclusions. You may be able to claim for mechanical damage, over and above any wear and tear.
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Insurance Will Only Pay for Non-accident Repairs if You Have the Correct Coverage
You may ask, “Does car insurance cover non-accident repairs?” Unfortunately, your insurance will not cover mechanical damage unless it’s due to a covered peril, such as an accident. In this case, you will need optional collision or comprehensive coverage. Your liability coverage will not pay for repairs.
If you have leased your car, the leasing company may have insisted that you remove these optional protection layers. For more information about this type of coverage, research comprehensive car insurance coverage. Remember that you must consider your deductible whenever you make a claim.
You Might Want To Buy Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Some companies may offer this type of insurance, also known as MBI. For further information, you can research different types of car insurance coverage.
Case Studies: Exploring Car Insurance Coverage For Manufacturer’s Defects
Case Study 1: Car Insurance and Manufacturer’s Defects
John, a car owner, suspects that damage to his vehicle is caused by a manufacturer’s defect. He wants to understand if his car insurance covers such damages and how he should proceed. This case study explores the implications of a potential manufacturer’s defect and its impact on car insurance coverage.
Case Study 2: Pursuing the Manufacturer For Damages
Sarah believes that her vehicle has been damaged due to a manufacturer’s defect. She is interested in holding the manufacturer responsible and wants to know if they have liability insurance coverage. This case study delves into the process of pursuing a manufacturer for damages caused by defects and the potential insurance implications.
Case Study 3: Non-Accident Repairs and Car Insurance
Michael requires repairs for non-accident-related damages to his car. He wonders if his car insurance will cover these repairs and if he needs additional coverage. This case study examines the coverage limitations of car insurance for non-accident repairs and discusses the importance of optional coverage options.
Car Insurance Won’t Cover Damage Caused By a Manufacturer’s Defect
Your car insurance will not cover mechanical damage caused by a manufacturer’s defect. Therefore, you will need to pursue the manufacturer directly if you believe they are liable.
However, if you sustain mechanical damage in an accident, you can claim if you have comprehensive or collision coverage. You can also claim against the other driver’s liability coverage if they were at fault.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance cover engine failure?
If the engine on your car failed as a direct result of an accident, your insurance may pay for the repairs. However, you need collision or comprehensive cover if you are at fault.
Will car insurance cover repairs if you are at fault?
If you were at fault, your liability insurance will pay for repairs to other vehicles or property. However, in this case, you will need collision comprehensive cover on your policy if you want to claim damage to your own vehicle.
How can you get insurance to pay for car repairs?
You can only claim against your car insurance policy for repairs following an accident.
You need to show that the parts damage relates to the incident, and if the accident was your fault, you’ll need collision or comprehensive cover on your policy. If you can show that another driver was at fault, their liability insurance should pay.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Dani Best
Licensed Insurance Producer
Dani Best has been a licensed insurance producer for nearly 10 years. Dani began her insurance career in a sales role with State Farm in 2014. During her time in sales, she graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology from Capella University and is currently earning her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since 2014, Dani has held and maintains licenses in Life, Disability, Property, and Casualt...
Licensed Insurance Producer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.