How to get insurance to cover blown motor?

A blown engine (or “blown motor”) is one of the most serious and expensive vehicle failures you can face. Standard auto insurance often doesn’t cover it. But with the right approach, you can explore how to get coverage—or at least reduce your financial risk.

🟩 Quick Definition 

A blown motor is when the engine fails catastrophically (due to severe damage, seizure, overheating, etc.). To get insurance coverage, you typically need a policy extension or add-on beyond standard auto insurance that handles mechanical breakdowns.

Why Standard Auto Insurance Usually Doesn’t Cover a Blown Motor

• Most auto insurance policies cover accidents, theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters—not mechanical failure due to wear, tear or lack of maintenance.

• Engine failure from normal usage, poor upkeep, or aging is usually excluded.

• Because insurance is designed to cover unforeseen loss, not predictable wear or mechanical breakdowns, insurers demand you add specific coverage if you want engine-failure protection.

How to Get Coverage for a Blown Motor

Step 1: Review Your Existing Auto Policy

• Check if you have comprehensive and collision cover. That may cover engine damage only if it’s caused by a covered event (e.g., collision, fire, flood).

• Confirm that your policy doesn’t explicitly exclude mechanical breakdowns or engine failures due to wear or maintenance neglect.

Step 2: Investigate Add-Ons or Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

• Ask about an Engine Protection Cover or similar endorsement: this may cover damage to internal engine components (pistons, crankshaft, oil-leak damage) under certain conditions.

• In some regions, you may purchase Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI)—a separate policy or add-on designed to cover major component failures, including the engine.

• Ensure you meet eligibility requirements (vehicle age, mileage, service history) for such add-ons.

Step 3: Maintain Your Vehicle Properly

• Keep detailed records of maintenance (oil changes, scheduled services, repairs). This supports your case if you ever need to claim.

• Preventive care reduces the risk of mechanical failure and may be required for add-on eligibility or to avoid exclusions.

Step 4: If an Engine Failure Occurs, Document the Cause

• If the motor is damaged because of a covered peril (e.g., collision, flood, fire, object strikes lower unit), your standard policy may apply.

• If the failure is deemed due to wear, tear or maintenance neglect, you’ll likely need the add-on/MBI cover.

• Gather the mechanic’s report, maintenance history, photos, and the policy wording to support your claim.

Key Considerations Before You Add This Cover

• Age and mileage of vehicle: older cars or high-mileage vehicles may be excluded from extended engine cover.

• Cost vs value: Add-on premiums may increase your cost—compare to the potential engine replacement bill.

• Deductible and claim limits: Understand how much you’ll pay out-of-pocket and whether coverage is full replacement or limited.

• Documentation and policy wording: Ensure the wording explicitly covers engine failure, not just accidental damage, and check the list of excluded causes (e.g., oil neglect, overheating due to misuse).

FAQs

Q1. Can I claim engine failure under my regular auto insurance?
Only if the failure was caused by a covered event like a crash, fire, flood or other peril listed in the policy. Failures from wear, tear or lack of maintenance are typically excluded.

Q2. What is a mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI)?
MBI is an add-on or separate policy that covers internal mechanical failures (engine, transmission, etc.). It’s not part of standard auto insurance but can protect against major repair bills.

Q3. What if I don’t add engine protection cover or MBI?
Without it, you’re financially responsible for the engine repair or replacement if the failure is mechanical. That can cost thousands of dollars.

Q4. Does my car’s age matter for adding engine cover?
Yes. Many insurers set maximum age or mileage limits for vehicles eligible for engine-breakdown add-ons. Ensure your car qualifies before purchasing.

Q5. If my engine blew, what should I do to attempt a claim?
Document everything: mechanic’s diagnosis, service records, photos of damage, cause of failure. Review your policy or add-on wording to check whether your case qualifies under covered perils. Then submit your claim with clear evidence the damage was due to a covered cause.

Final Thoughts

Getting insurance to cover a blown motor often means going beyond standard auto policies. You’ll likely need specific add-on coverage or mechanical-breakdown insurance, and you’ll need to show that your engine failed due to a covered event — not just wear or neglect. With the right coverage and good maintenance history, you can protect yourself against one of the costliest vehicle repairs.