In addition to traditional car insurance coverage, you can also purchase mechanical breakdown insurance to cover unexpected auto repairs. This information is from Fox Business’ article “Auto Repair Insurance Pledges to Pay Your Breakdown Bills,” by Michele Lerner. A State Farm auto quote can include the cost for this additional insurance. An alternative to buying the insurance through your car insurance company is to buy it through a car dealership, bank, or credit union. It might be easiest adding the insurance with your car insurance company, so check to see if they offer mechanical breakdown insurance.
There is a wide array of coverage that you can get for repairs, but none of it will cover your basic maintenance or wear and tear. This coverage is meant to protect you in the case of major breakdowns and can be in addition to a warranty or can continue warranty coverage after expiration. You can choose mechanical breakdown coverage that lasts either a certain number of miles or a certain time frame. Most of the coverage will include towing, rental car services, and roadside assistance packages.
Mercury Insurance VP of the mechanical breakdown unit gives an example of what their coverage has to offer. They have four levels of insurance from basic bronze to a platinum level that covers nearly all breakdowns. Costs depend on what type of car you drive, how long the contract will last, how many miles the contract covers, and which protection you choose. Six years or 100,000 miles is the most Mercury offers. Some plans have a deductible while others do not. Since you pay for this coverage up front, claims will not increase your cost. Also, there is no connection between your traditional car insurance and mechanical breakdown coverage.
