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Chris Abrams
Licensed Insurance Agent
Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles.
Written by Chris AbramsLicensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura.
Reviewed by Daniel WalkerLicensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jul 25, 2024
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UPDATED: Jul 25, 2024
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different 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.
Mechanical breakdown coverage (MBI) is optional auto insurance that covers repairs. You can add auto breakdown insurance to your policy to help with major systems, like your car’s engine and transmission.
In addition, an MBI policy covers things on your vehicle not covered by a standard auto insurance policy.
Mechanical breakdown insurance functions like an extended warranty, though MBI offers more robust coverage. As a result, mechanical breakdown insurance is also known as car repair coverage, vehicle breakdown insurance, mechanical failure insurance, or mechanical repair insurance.
MBI allows you to file a claim with your insurance company if your vehicle has a significant system issue. Learn more about how to file a car insurance claim .
Read More: Types of Auto InsuranceIf your insurance company approves your claim, you can choose a mechanic to do the work and pay your deductible. Your insurance company will pay the remaining repair costs.
Mechanical breakdown protection covers various system issues, but there are still some things you’ll have to pay for out of pocket.
What is Covered Under Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI)
| What is Covered | What's Not Covered |
|---|---|
| Engine | Air filters |
| Drivetrain and powersystems | Spark plugs |
| Brakes | Brake pads |
| Transmission | Tires |
| Exhaust systems | Some fluids, including coolant, wiper fluid, etc. |
MBI covers issues with your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, transmission, brakes, exhaust, and power system. All you need to do is report issues to your insurance company and file a claim to resolve them. If you’re wondering whether auto insurance covers transmission repair , mechanical breakdown insurance is the answer.
Depending on the mechanical breakdown car insurance coverage you purchase, your policy may also cover steering, air conditioning, and your vehicle’s fuel system.
Unfortunately, MBI doesn’t cover filters, spark plugs, brake pads, tires, fluids like coolant and windshield washer fluid, or repairs considered normal vehicle maintenance.
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Mechanical breakdown insurance coverage and extended warranties work similarly, but MBI coverage is often more robust than a vehicle warranty.
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance vs. Extended Warranty
| Summary | Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Stats | Extended Warranty Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Average Cost | Up to $100 per Year | Between $1,000 and $3,000 |
| Coverage Limits by Miles or Years | Up to 7 years or Up to 100,000 | Warranty Lasts for 2 to 7 Years |
| Deductible | $250 to $500 | $0 to $250 |
| Payments | Pay Per Month | Must Be Paid in Full |
| Vehicle Eligibility | New Cars and Used Cars with 15,000 miles or less | New Cars and Select Used Cars from the Dealership |
A mechanical breakdown protection plan is often less expensive, and you can purchase coverage through your existing insurance company. If you search for car breakdown insurance for older cars, MBI coverage may work, while an extended warranty wouldn’t.
An extended warranty often costs anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, and you must pay for the coverage upfront. However, MBI coverage allows you to pay as you go, and you can drop the coverage if you decide it’s not worth the investment.
If you have an MBI rather than an extended warranty, you’ll probably pay a higher deductible whenever you file a claim.
So, how much is MBI insurance? On average, mechanical breakdown insurance costs around $100 annually or $8 per month. MBI coverage is typically only available for new or relatively new vehicles.
Mechanical breakdown insurance quotes ultimately depends on your vehicle’s age, make, model, value, and policy length. If you have a car that costs more to repair — like a luxury car or electric vehicle — your MBI insurance costs will be higher than average.
Wondering if mechanical repair coverage is worth it? Mechanical breakdown insurance may be a good option, depending on the scenario. However, the vehicle repair costs must exceed your policy’s cost and car insurance deductible for it to make sense to purchase MBI. Unfortunately, you don’t know whether you’ll need the coverage until it’s too late.
A mechanical breakdown insurance policy is worth it if you have a major system failure, like a blown transmission. On average, the cost of repairing a transmission is anywhere from $2,200 to $5,000. Compared to this cost, paying $8 per month and $250 for your deductible would be a much better deal.
While MBI could save you a lot of money if your car has a major breakdown issue, you don’t know whether it’ll happen before purchasing the coverage. So if MBI coverage will help your peace of mind, it could be a wise investment.
If you’re considering MBI, consider a few things beforehand. Research how likely your car will need major repairs on the engine, transmission, or other parts before 100,000 miles.
Additionally, consider these questions before buying coverage:
You’ll learn quickly which mechanical breakdown insurance options will work best for you. As you research, inquire about overall costs, specific coverage exclusions, and anything else that seems important to you.
Finding the best mechanical breakdown insurance in your area requires research. However, you can our online comparison tool below to get free quotes for mechanical breakdown insurance from different companies.
This way, you can see how much each company charges and determine whether any options in your city will work for you.
Some of the best mechanical breakdown insurance companies i nclude:
If you already have an insurance policy with one of the companies listed above, you can call and speak with a representative to see how much it would cost to add MBI to your current insurance plan.
If you have an auto insurance policy with a different company, call your insurance company and see if mechanical breakdown coverage is available.
Mechanical breakdown insurance policies may differ from one company to another. So it’s a good idea to compare breakdown insurance options and prices from several companies before making final decisions on MBI.
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There are positives and negatives to owning a mechanical breakdown insurance policy. Some of the benefits of MBI coverage include:
MBI coverage will raise your monthly auto insurance rates, but the average cost for mechanical breakdown insurance is just $8 per month. So if you drive a new car, it may be worth investing in MBI coverage to ensure you won’t have to pay for major repairs out of pocket.
You can consider a few things to estimate whether you’ll need MBI insurance. First, assess how long you’ll likely keep your vehicle. If you plan to keep it for five years or more, you may want to invest in MBI. Newer cars are much less likely to break down.
Remember that certain insurance companies will only cover a vehicle with MBI up to a certain mileage. For example, Geico mechanical breakdown insurance reviews say the company only covers vehicles up to 100,000 miles. So if you’re near that mileage before purchasing the coverage, there may not be a point in getting mechanical breakdown coverage.
You should also assess your vehicle’s reliability when determining whether you need MBI. For example, if you have a car that tends to break down more easily, an MBI plan would likely be in your best interest. You can research your vehicle online to learn about its reliability if you aren’t sure.
Lastly, remember that mechanical breakdown coverage won’t cover minor repairs. Since minor repairs are more likely, you may find that MBI isn’t worth the money, as it won’t help with the things happening most often with your vehicle.
You may need mechanical breakdown insurance on a new car , especially if your extended warranty has expired. However, you may not need mechanical breakdown insurance for used cars, especially if it’s a certified, pre-owned vehicle with warranty coverage.
Whether you should purchase MBI coverage depends on your car’s age, where you live, what vehicle you drive, and more.
You may live in an area like California, where you can’t purchase an extended warranty. Mechanical breakdown insurance in California can be a helpful and wise alternative if that’s the case.
The best option for mechanical breakdown coverage helps you feel safe on the road and pays for itself after a major repair. If you’re worried about wasting money, MBI coverage may not be for you. Still, mechanical breakdown insurance may be a great option if you want peace of mind and don’t mind spending $8 every month.
Many insurance companies provide mechanical breakdown insurance. Some of the most popular companies offering MBI include Geico, Allstate, American family, and AAA.
Geico promotes its MBI coverage over most extended warranty plans you can purchase through a dealership. In fact, Geico’s extended warranty program is known as Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI).
You’ll follow the steps required by your insurance company to make a claim on your mechanical breakdown insurance. You may also be able to use a mobile app or visit your insurance company’s website to file a claim.
In many cases, you will need auto mechanical insurance. For example, if you have a new car, MBI coverage could help you have peace of mind on the road. However, if you purchase a newer vehicle from a dealership, you may be unable to purchase a warranty.
No, MBI does not cover damages from accidents or collisions.
MBI is typically an add-on to an existing auto insurance policy.
So, what is mechanical breakdown insurance? Mechanical breakdown coverage is an optional add-on to a policy that provides protection against unexpected repairs for your vehicle’s mechanical and electrical components.
MBI coverage is relatively cheap and can be extremely helpful for big issues like engine failure or transmission glitches. While you’ll pay for the coverage each month, the $8 fee is minimal and may save you a lot of money.
The meaning of MBI insurance is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance.
Standard car insurance policies typically do not cover mechanical failure. However, there are specialized insurance options that can provide coverage for mechanical failures such as mechanical breakdown coverage.
Standard car insurance policies don’t cover repairs related to normal wear and tear or mechanical failures.
Standard car insurance policies typically do not cover transmission repair or replacement costs due to mechanical failures.
State Farm’s mechanical breakdown insurance is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy.
Progressive’s mechanical breakdown insurance is available as an optional endorsement to your auto insurance policy.
Geico’s mechanical breakdown insurance coverage helps offset the cost of repairs for unexpected mechanical failures of your vehicle’s major components, such as the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
So, what does Geico mechanical breakdown insurance cover? Geico’s MBI coverage will cover only damage resulting from regular use.
Mechanical breakdown insurance may be more beneficial for older cars as they are more likely to experience mechanical issues as they age. Mechanical breakdown insurance may also be a good option for high-mileage cars because they are more prone to experiencing mechanical breakdowns due to wear and tear on components such as the engine, transmission, and suspension.
The cost of Geico’s MBI coverage depends on the type of car you drive, the vehicle’s age and mileage, and your location.
Yes, AAA offers mechanical breakdown insurance to its members. AAA’s mechanical breakdown insurance cost can vary depending on factors, such as the make and model of your vehicle, its age and mileage, your location, coverage limits, deductible amount, and more.
Yes, Allstate offers mechanical breakdown insurance as an optional coverage for repairs or replacements of major mechanical and electrical components.
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