What Is Insurance Against Mechanical Failure?

Sep 27, 2022 By Susan Kelly

Unexpected auto repairs might not cost as much without mechanical breakdown insurance.

Along with the affordable coverage, you also get the GEICO good service and insurance expertise you are accustomed to and trust. Mechanical breakdown insurance could be preferable to a typical auto warranty because of these extra benefits.

How does insurance for mechanical breakdown operate?

Insurance for mechanical breakdown or auto repair is provided automobiles that are under old and have less than 15,000 miles on them.

Once acquired, MBI may be extended for up to seven years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first). After a $250 deductible on a covered loss, car repairs for all mechanical parts of the vehicle (excluding maintenance and wear and tear*) are covered. Interested? Give us a call at (800) 861-8380 to learn more.

Between mechanical breakdown insurance and an extended warranty

You might question, "Why not get an extended warranty." You can choose to spend more money and receive less security. Compared to GEICO's mechanical breakdown insurance, comparable dealer extended warranties are more expensive and offer less protection (MBI). Not just those guaranteed by the bulk of dealer warranties, but all components of the system are also covered by GEICO's MBI coverage.

Allows you to save money by demanding a lesser premium payment for each insurance period instead of a large upfront payment. It allows you to get your car mended wherever you desire.

How much does mechanical failure insurance run?

Comparing the price of MBI to that of auto insurance, it is usually not too expensive. Using rates from New York, we learned that a 2016 Ford Edge with a $250 deductible would only cost $30 a year. A Wall Street Journal investigation found that insurance with deductibles as high as $400 might cost $75 per year.

The table below displays the annual cost of MBI for vehicles priced between $24,000 and $64,000. Vehicles with greater values, including the Tesla Model S ($70,000 and up) and the Audi R8 ($160,000), might not be covered by MBI insurance. When we contacted Geico, the company informed us that automobiles with too high of a value might not be qualified for MBI.

Is it worthwhile to invest in mechanical breakdown insurance?

For MBI to be beneficial, you would need a breakdown that is higher than the total of the deductible and plan cost.

Assuming a $75 annual plan for six years and a $250 deductible, you would need a breakdown of more than $700 over those six years for it to be worthwhile. If a system in your car breaks down, repairs will cost more than $700.

Is it worthwhile to invest in mechanical breakdown insurance?

For MBI to be beneficial, you would need a breakdown that is higher than the total of the deductible and plan cost.

Assuming a $75 annual plan for six years and a $250 deductible, you would need a breakdown of more than $700 over those six years for it to be worthwhile. If a system in your car breaks down, repairs will cost more than $700.

A blown gearbox normally costs between $1,800 and $3,400 to replace, and a damaged head gasket may cost between $1,200 and $1,600 to repair. Therefore, if one of those events occurred, you would save anywhere from $500 to $2,700.

The best protection against mechanical failure is provided by whom?

Insurance companies don't always offer mechanical breakdown coverage. Geico is one of the few reputable insurers that provide MBI, as we found out.

Every driver should utilize a different company for their mechanical breakdown insurance. If you have a modern vehicle insured by a company that offers MBI, it might be beneficial to study the policy details to see if the coverage suits you.

Methodology

To provide consumers with accurate and unbiased information, our review team of experts compiles data from numerous extended auto warranty companies to rank the top vendors.

Industry position: The warranty companies with the best ratings in this category have a history of ethical conduct and professional endorsements.

Coverage: This ranking is based on the types of extended warranty plans offered, the coverage conditions, and any add-ons like roadside assistance.

Cost: Our research team looks at sample quotes for various plans and vehicles. Businesses that price less per year of coverage receive the highest scores.

Transparency: This ranking considers the contract's clarity and the existence of a money-back guarantee.

Customer service: We study customer evaluations and conduct in-depth market research to evaluate each warranty company's responsiveness and helpfulness.

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