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Will my insurance total my car for a blown engine?

Does car insurance cover engine repairs?

Standard car insurance doesn’t typically cover engine repairs unless they directly result from an accident or other peril covered by the insurance policy. If your vehicle is still relatively new or you bought an extended warranty, the manufacturer may pay for repairs in the case of engine failure or another mechanical breakdown. Some insurers, including Progressive, may offer mechanical breakdown insurance or vehicle protection plans that provide coverage for mechanical failure in a similar way to a warranty.

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When does car insurance cover engine repair?

If you have comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, you’re generally covered for engine repairs if the engine is damaged in an accident or due to an event outside of your control, such as a tree limb falling on your vehicle. Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage may also pay for engine repairs if you’re hit by someone with little or no insurance. If your engine suffers a mechanical failure or breaks down due to normal wear and tear, car insurance generally won’t cover the cost to repair or replace it.

Some insurers, including Progressive, may offer a vehicle protection plan and mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), which may cover engine repairs not covered by your warranty. These aren’t as commonly available as comprehensive, collision, or uninsured motorist coverage, and availability varies by state.

Does “full coverage” car insurance cover a blown engine?

There’s no such thing as “full coverage” car insurance as no insurance policy can account for everything that could happen to your car. Some people use the term “full coverage” to refer to a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, plus any other coverages your state requires. If you have collision and comprehensive, then your vehicle may be covered if the engine is damaged in an accident or by an event outside of your control.

A blown engine that’s the result of a mechanical failure or wear and tear won’t be covered by comprehensive or collision coverage.

Can I make a claim on my car insurance for a blown engine after an accident?

If the engine was faulty before the accident, making a claim to repair the issue after the accident may constitute car insurance fraud. You should only file a claim for damage that was caused by the accident. Be transparent with your insurer about what happened to avoid any problems.

Making a claim for insurance to repair your engine

If you’ve been involved in an accident or your car has suffered damage from another peril covered by your policy and the engine is damaged, you can make an auto insurance claim by contacting your insurer as soon as possible. They’ll walk you through the specific steps to make a claim, including speaking with a claims adjuster who’ll collect information and verify the damage. You may need to provide documentation showing that the engine damage is the result of the accident or covered event and not negligence, inadequate maintenance, or mechanical failure.

Looking for more information about auto insurance? Our car insurance resource center has you covered.

Will my insurance total my car for a blown engine?

Typically, car insurance does not cover engine failure, even if you have full coverage. The exception is if the mechanical problem or blown engine can be directly linked to a covered claim.

Does insurance cover blown engine?

Yes, car insurance covers engine blowing up, but only if it was caused by a covered scenario like an accident or vandalism. For instance, if a crash leads to engine blowing up, the policyholder’s collision insurance will cover repairs, but not if the damage was caused by poor maintenance, negligence or wear and tear.

Can a car be totaled from engine failure?

If you have collision and comprehensive, then your vehicle may be covered if the engine is damaged in an accident or by an event outside of your control. A blown engine that’s the result of a mechanical failure or wear and tear won’t be covered by comprehensive or collision coverage.

What do you do if your car has a blown engine?

While a car with a blown engine might now be worth much to you – or anybody else for that matter – most car dealerships will accept it in a trade. With this, you can trade in your car to help pay for a new one. The car dealership will then take your car and either sell it or use it for pieces.

How much does a new engine cost?

New engines start at around $4,000 for a 4-cylinder, around $5,500 for a V6 and $7,000 for a V8. Prices increase from these figures based on complexity of the engine and the brand of car.

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34 related questions found

Will State Farm cover a blown engine?

Does State Farm cover blown engines? Yes, if you have State Farm® Comprehensive Coverage. Comprehensive coverage covers a vehicle that’s stolen or damaged by something other than collision or rolling over – like a blown engine. Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.

Can you trade in a car with a blown engine?

If you have a non-running car, you are probably wondering, “Can you trade in a car with a bad engine?” The simple answer is yes, you can. While a used car dealership will allow you to trade in your broken vehicle, you won’t be taking home a large check at all.

Will a car start with a blown engine?

Will a car start with a blown engine? A blown engine may start, but will run erratically and often with many strange metallic or knocking sounds. Revving a blown engine may produce increased noise, smoke and vibration.

How much does it cost to fix a blown engine?

A typical engine rebuild is between $2,500 and $4,000 in parts and labor costs. This type of engine repair might include simply replacing bearings and seals, and obviously taking the engine out and re-installing it. It could be much higher too.

How much is my car worth with a blown engine?

How Much Is My Car Worth With A Blown Engine? Without a functioning engine, you can expect to get at least $3,000 less for your car as a sales price than you would get for a functioning vehicle. So if your vehicle is worth $10,000 in good condition, you should expect to get something closer to $4,000 to $7,000 for it.

Can a blown engine be fixed?

If you do have a blown engine, whether or not it can be fixed depends upon the extensiveness of the damage. If the damage is minimal, and a few parts can be replaced, the problem can be fixed. However, if the damage is great and impossible to repair, you may need a complete engine replacement.

Who buys a car with a blown engine?

Copart Direct buys cars with engine problems and other mechanical damage, both big and small. You can sell a car with mechanical damage with just one call. If your repair bills are becoming more than your car’s worth, selling your vehicle to Copart Direct is the smartest way to get cash fast.

Does full coverage cover at fault accidents?

So what does full coverage car insurance cover? In most cases, it includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage. Collision and comprehensive will protect you and your vehicle if you get into an accident. If you’re found at fault for an accident.

Does warranty cover engine failure?

Coverage For Your Engine Is Standard With Almost All Warranty Plans. The backbone for nearly all non-specialized extended warranty plans is your car’s powertrain which comprises the engine, the transmission, and the drivetrain itself.

Does extended warranty cover engine replacement?

An extended car warranty acts like an insurance policy for your car’s major components. . But in general, extended warranties cover the critical mechanical parts of your vehicle, including the engine, transmission, axles, and gaskets.

What happens when you total your car with full coverage?

Your insurer will determine whether the vehicle is a total loss, based on repair costs. Your insurer will issue payment for the actual cash value of the totaled vehicle, minus your deductible on your comprehensive or collision coverage.

Should I file an insurance claim if I am at fault?

You should always file an insurance claim after an accident involving injuries. . If the insurance adjuster finds that the other driver was at fault, your insurer will pay your claim and seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

What damage does car insurance not cover?

Car insurance does not cover intentional damage, general maintenance, or damage caused by normal wear and tear. Minimum car insurance coverage does not cover the policyholder’s injuries or vehicle damage, either, only providing liability insurance to pay for injuries and property damage caused to others.

Is getting a new engine like getting a new car?

In some cases, engine replacement is a viable alternative to acquiring a new vehicle. It can be done for a fraction of the cost, plus you avoid taxes, license fees, and insurance expenses that are incurred in vehicle replacement. Replacing an engine can save money and extend vehicle life.

Do dealerships replace engines?

Yes, it’s true that some cars receive engine replacements under warranty, which means the repairs are carried out by trained dealership technicians. But others receive engine replacements from less skilled workers, which could lead to problems down the line if the replacement wasn’t performed correctly.

Can I trade in my car if it has mechanical problems?

Trading in a car with mechanical components is usually not a huge problem. Most dealerships will consider taking your car on trade. But beware, you’re probably not going to get the most value for it. Because the dealer needs to fix it or sell it as is AND make money, your appraised value will be lower than you expect.

What are signs that your motor is blown?

Signs Of A Blown Engine

  • Excessive Smoke. Clear smoke coming from your car’s tailpipe may not be a big deal. .
  • Blue Smoke. .
  • White Exhaust Smoke. .
  • Black Smoke. .
  • Engine Won’t Start. .
  • Coolant In The Engine. .
  • Suspicious Noises. .
  • Rattling Or Knocking Noise.

What causes a blown engine?

Blown engines can be caused by numerous factors. . Running an engine at high speeds and and excessive revolutions per minute (RPMs) for an extended period can also cause engine failure. A blown engine is often the result of overheating. A serious coolant leak can cause the engine to explode.

How much can I sell my engine for?

On average, this is how much you can sell these parts for if they are already removed: Engine – $500+ (Mileage dependent) Transmission – $250+ (Mileage dependent) Airbags – $150+ (Depending on which bag)

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Is My Car Totaled if the Engine Blew?

A blown car engine is a real thing; it is not just something you hear about in auto shop commercials and big screen comedies. An engine can blow for a number of reasons, but ultimately, it falls back on negligence. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about a blown car engine, including what can cause it, how to prevent it, and whether or not your car can be repaired.

Indianapolis Totaled Car Buyers 317-608-2188

Causes for a Blown Engine

When an engine blows, it means that it explodes. How does this happen? Well, the number one cause for a blown car engine is overheating. An excessive amount of heat produced in a car engine can be incredible detrimental to the vehicular systems, as well as, the safety of the occupants in your car.

As for the cause of overheating, there could be many possibilities. Common reasons why engines overheat include coolant leaks, lack of coolant, lack of motor oil, and similar fluid losses or leaks. To distinguish between a blown engine and an overheating one, you can examine the color of smoke it is producing. If the smoke has a blue hue, it is likely due to the oil burning in your engine, which indicates a blown engine. If the smoke is more like steam and white in color, it is likely a less expensive repair.

But that is the real question; can a blown engine be repaired? Or is a vehicle totaled once the engine explodes?

Well, the answer all depends on the car’s current market value, and whether or not it is worth paying thousands of dollars for a new engine, plus additional fees for professional installation. You see, if your car is only worth $4,000 on the market, but it costs $5,000 to repair the blown engine, your insurance company will deem your vehicle a total loss. On the other hand, if you have a new car that is worth $20,000 give or take, and it costs a total of $6,000 to repair, your car is not totaled.

What To Do With a Totaled Car

In most cases, automotive insurance carriers do not cover blown engines because it is considered a mechanical breakdown rather than a result of a covered car accident. If a car owner blows up their motor, it is not generally covered under any type of insurance policy, including liability, collision, and comprehensive. Of course, there may be exceptions for newer model vehicles.

So what can you do with your totaled car that you will not get any insurance money for? You can scrap it for cash at a local Indianapolis junk car company. They will pay you cash on the spot for your junk car, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. Just be sure to choose a reputable and experienced company that retains state of the art scales and similar technologies to render the best offer.

Trust Our Junk Car Buyers for the Best Deals!

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car for cash in Indianapolis, today! We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. You will get the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. We buy all types of vehicles in all types of shape, running or not, and offer free towing and pick-up.

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Is My Car Totaled if the Engine Blew?

Author

  • Ethan Cole – Automotive Journalist & Car Enthusiast Ethan Cole is a passionate automotive journalist with over 10 years of experience covering the latest developments in the car industry. From high-performance sports cars and rugged SUVs to electric vehicles and autonomous driving tech — Ethan dives deep into every segment to bring readers honest, insightful reviews and comparisons. He has tested hundreds of vehicles across Europe, the US, and Asia, always focusing on real-world performance, driver experience, and value for money. His work has been featured in Car and Driver , Top Gear Magazine , and Motor Trend , where he’s known for his no-nonsense approach and technical depth. Ethan believes that whether you're buying your first hatchback or your dream supercar, knowledge is power — and his mission is to help drivers make smarter choices through detailed breakdowns, video reviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at how cars are made. When he's not behind the wheel, Ethan runs a vintage car restoration channel on YouTube and enjoys track days at local racing circuits. Follow Ethan: Instagram: @EthanColeAuto YouTube: youtube.com/@EthanColeAuto Twitter: @EthanColeAuto

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