Understanding car maintenance insurance
Maintenance vs. repairs
Understanding the difference between maintenance and repairs could help make this clearer. Maintenance usually means regular services that help keep your car running, such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake pad replacements or replacing worn-out belts and filters. Repairs are typically needed after something goes wrong, such as fixing damage from an accident, replacing a broken transmission or repairing a cracked windshield. Your car insurance is more likely to apply to repairs caused by covered events, while maintenance costs are the responsibility of the car owner.
There are also things that auto insurance typically does not cover. In most cases, insurance can’t be used to pay for the routine costs of owning a vehicle. This often includes things such as:
- Oil changes
- Tune-ups
- Brake pad replacement
- Replacing other parts that break down over time
- Mechanical or engine failures that happen outside of a covered accident
If your car breaks down due to age or normal use, that expense is generally yours to cover. Some car owners look to warranties or service contracts to help with these situations, since standard auto insurance policies are not designed for ongoing maintenance or non-accident issues.
What’s typically covered under car insurance
Car insurance is more likely to apply when repairs are tied to unexpected events. For example, damage from an accident could be covered, depending on your policy and who was at fault. Insurance might also help with repairs if your vehicle is stolen, vandalized or damaged by natural events such as hail, floods or falling objects. These kinds of situations are often addressed through collision or comprehensive coverage, which are built to help protect you from sudden costly losses. Understanding which repairs fall into these categories could better help you decide whether your current coverage fits your needs, or if it might be worth looking into other options.
Car repair insurance
Some drivers look beyond traditional auto insurance to options called car repair insurance, mechanical breakdown insurance or vehicle protection plans. This coverage is designed to help with certain mechanical or electrical failures that aren’t caused by an accident. Depending on the plan, this could include repairs to major components such as the engine, transmission or other systems that wear down over time. Coverage details vary, and these plans have limits, exclusions or eligibility requirements, so it is important to read the details of what a coverage plan offers and understand the scope of coverage. While a mechanical repair coverage plan does not replace car insurance, it could work for your budget to make vehicle maintenance costs more predictable after any vehicle factory warranty ends.
If you’re reviewing your coverage and wondering whether your current policy still fits your needs, it may help to explore your options. The TruStage™ Auto Insurance Program offers coverage choices designed with credit union members in mind.
