Does my car insurance cover damage caused by an overheated engine?

In some circumstances, car insurance covers damage caused by an overheated engine. Overheating can occur if there’s a leak in your car’s cooling system or a problem with the radiator. You could also have low coolant, a malfunctioning thermostat, low oil levels, or a failed water pump.

In the United States, the average cost of car insurance is $147 per month, much less than the potential cost of engine damage. Learn more about the kinds of car insurance that might cover an overheated engine, signs of overheating, and what to do if your engine overheats.

When does car insurance cover damage caused by an overheated engine?

Whether your car insurance can cover damage from an overheated engine depends on the type of policy and what caused your vehicle to overheat.

If an overheated engine fails and leads to an accident, your liability insurance can pay for any damage to other cars or injuries to people. However, it won’t pay for your repairs or any health care you need.

Liability insurance is mandatory in most parts of the United States, and it can help you avoid covering the losses of others after an accident you cause.

Occasionally, comprehensive insurance covers overheating. This type of insurance protects your car from events other than collisions. It can pay for damage from:

• Wind
• Hurricanes
• Tornadoes
• Flooding
• Falling trees
• Fires
• Vandalism

Sometimes, the accident happens first, and then the engine overheats. Damage to the front half of your vehicle, especially the radiator or the rest of your cooling system, can lead to overheating over time.

Collision coverage protects you from accidents that happen while you’re driving and that may cause overheating. Shopping for the best collision coverage car insurance companies can help you find the best deal.

Does car insurance cover engine failure?

Overheating can often happen from normal wear, and many drivers ask, does car insurance cover mechanical failure? Car insurance usually doesn’t cover an overheated engine that happened because of wear, but you can add mechanical breakdown insurance for your vehicle.

You can add mechanical breakdown insurance to receive coverage for overheating caused by mechanical problems like a coolant leak. It also protects you from losses if the overheating leads to other types of damage or if you have issues with other parts of your car, such as the transmission failure.

Read more: Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a transmission failure?

Mechanical breakdown coverage can make it much more affordable to take care of repairs before overheating or other problems become severe.

Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for Overheated Engine Damage

Case Study 1: Sarah’s Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Sarah’s car experienced an overheated engine due to a coolant leak. Fortunately, she had added mechanical breakdown insurance to her car insurance policy. When her engine overheated, Sarah immediately contacted her insurance company and filed a claim.

The insurance company assessed the damage and approved the claim, covering the repair costs for her overheated engine. Sarah was relieved that she had chosen to add mechanical breakdown insurance to her policy, which saved her from bearing the financial burden of the repairs.

Case Study 2: Michael’s Uncovered Damage

Michael’s car also suffered an overheated engine, but he did not have mechanical breakdown insurance. When he contacted his insurance company to inquire about coverage, he learned that his policy did not include this type of coverage.

As a result, Michael had to pay for the repairs out of his own pocket, underscoring the importance of considering mechanical breakdown insurance for protection against overheated engine damage.

Case Study 3: Emily’s Covered Repair

Emily’s engine overheated due to a malfunctioning thermostat. Fortunately, she had comprehensive car insurance that covered engine damage caused by mechanical problems. Emily promptly filed a claim with her insurance company, providing the necessary documentation and details about the overheating incident.

The insurance company approved her claim, and Emily’s engine repairs were covered, allowing her to get back on the road without significant financial strain.

Car Insurance Coverage for an Overheated Engine: The Bottom Line

Accidents can occasionally cause overheated engines, but they’re mostly due to mechanical problems and normal wear.

Mechanical breakdown insurance can help you repair an overheated engine before the situation becomes dangerous. To find the coverage you need, compare car insurance and learn more about the options available.