Will Car Insurance Cover a Blown Engine?

Last Updated on January 27, 2026

A “blown engine” usually means a major internal failure (seized engine, thrown rod, cracked block, or severe overheating) that makes the vehicle unsafe or impossible to drive. The big question is whether it happened because of a sudden, covered event—or because the engine simply wore out over time.

In most cases, car insurance only helps with a blown engine when the damage is tied to a covered loss under your policy’s physical damage protection (what many drivers call full coverage insurance). If the failure is due to maintenance issues or gradual deterioration, insurers commonly deny the claim as wear and tear.

Not sure what you carry today? Start by reviewing the types of insurance on your policy declarations page (also called the “dec page”), including deductibles and any optional endorsements.

What Typically Causes a Blown Engine

Engine failures generally fall into two buckets:

• Sudden, accidental damage: A single event damages the engine (for example, a crash that ruptures the oil pan, a flood that causes water ingestion, a fire, or vandalism).
• Gradual or maintenance-related damage: Low oil, missed oil changes, coolant leaks, long-term overheating, sludge buildup, corrosion, or normal aging leads to failure over time.

This difference matters because auto insurance is designed for accidental losses—not predictable maintenance and mechanical wear.

When Car Insurance May Cover a Blown Engine

Car insurance can help when the engine damage is directly caused by a covered event. That typically falls under one of these coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage generally applies when your vehicle hits (or is hit by) another vehicle or object. If the engine fails because the crash caused physical damage—such as impact damage, a cracked oil pan, a damaged radiator leading to immediate overheating, or broken mounts—collision is the coverage that’s most likely to respond.

Fault usually doesn’t change whether collision coverage applies to your own car (it’s first-party coverage), but liability decisions can matter for recovery from the other driver. If you were in a not-at-fault crash, you may also have options to pursue the other driver’s property damage coverage depending on the circumstances.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage (sometimes called “other than collision”) is typically for non-crash losses. A blown engine may be covered if the failure is caused by a covered peril such as fire, vandalism, theft-related damage, falling objects, animal impact, or water intrusion.

For example, if your engine hydrolocks after driving through a flooded roadway, coverage may depend on your facts and policy language. If you’re dealing with storm-related issues, review guidance on flood-related losses and document the scene as thoroughly as possible.

If the vehicle is stolen and later recovered with damage, comprehensive may apply to the damage tied to the theft event. Here’s what to expect with stolen vehicle claims and the documentation insurers usually request.

Common Blown-Engine Scenarios and Possible Coverage

How the Engine Failed	Coverage That May Apply	What to Expect
Crash damages engine components (oil pan, mounts, cooling system), leading to immediate failure	Collision	Often covered if the failure is directly linked to the accident; deductible usually applies.
Floodwater ingestion (hydrolock) or storm-related water intrusion	Comprehensive	May be covered if policy terms and facts support a sudden loss; insurers often review photos, weather reports, and shop findings.
Fire in the engine bay or wiring damage that leads to failure	Comprehensive	Often treated as fire damage; investigation may be required.
Vandalism or theft attempt damages critical engine components	Comprehensive	Coverage depends on proof of malicious/forcible damage and timing.
Engine seizes over time due to low oil, sludge, gradual overheating, or neglected maintenance	Usually not covered	Commonly denied as wear and tear/maintenance; mechanical breakdown is not the purpose of standard auto policies.

Important: Coverage depends on the exact cause of loss, your policy language, deductibles, and the adjuster’s investigation. Rules and processes can also vary by state.

When It Usually Won’t Be Covered

Insurers commonly deny blown-engine claims when the damage appears to come from:

• Wear and tear: Normal deterioration as the vehicle ages.
• Maintenance issues: Low oil, overdue oil changes, neglected coolant leaks, repeated overheating, or driving with warning lights on.
• Pre-existing damage: Problems that existed before the reported incident, or damage that can’t be tied to a specific covered event. If this is a concern, see how insurers typically evaluate pre-existing damage.

Even with strong coverage, your claim still needs a clear “cause of loss” that fits your policy. If the mechanic’s teardown suggests long-term oil starvation or repeated overheating, coverage is less likely.

How to File a Strong Claim for Engine Damage

If you believe the engine failed because of a covered event, the goal is to clearly connect the failure to that event and reduce “gray area.”

• Stop driving and prevent further damage: Get it towed to a reputable shop.
• Document the incident: Photos/video of the scene, visible vehicle damage, warning lights, dashboard messages, and any fluids/leaks.
• Gather reports: Police report (if applicable), tow receipt, and any incident details (date/time/location).
• Request a written diagnosis: Ask the shop to document what failed and why—especially whether the damage is consistent with impact, water intrusion, fire, vandalism, or a sudden mechanical event.
• Provide maintenance history: Service records help rebut a wear-and-tear assumption.
• Be cautious with teardown authorization: Some insurers want to inspect before disassembly. Ask your adjuster what they need first.

If your claim is denied and you believe the decision is incorrect, request the denial reason in writing and ask what additional documentation would change the outcome.

Other Options If Insurance Won’t Pay

Manufacturer Warranty or Powertrain Warranty

If your car is still within a manufacturer warranty (often described in years and mileage), engine repairs may be covered if the failure is due to a covered defect and you followed required maintenance. Warranty terms vary widely—check your warranty booklet and dealership service records.

If you’re evaluating an older vehicle purchase or coverage strategy, this guide on insuring a used car can help you think through protection gaps before something breaks.

Service Contracts and Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Extended service contracts (often sold by dealers or third parties) and mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) can help with certain internal engine failures, depending on eligibility, waiting periods, and exclusions. Many plans still exclude maintenance, wear items, and damage caused by overheating after warning lights were ignored—so read the fine print carefully.

Paying Out of Pocket

For older cars, compare the cost of repair (used engine, rebuilt engine, or replacement vehicle) to your car’s market value. A reputable shop can usually provide multiple options and warranties on the repair work.

When a Blown Engine Becomes a Total Loss

If repair costs approach or exceed the vehicle’s value, the insurer may treat the car as a total loss and offer a settlement based on actual cash value (ACV), minus your deductible and any applicable fees per policy terms. In many states, a total loss can also lead to a salvage or branded title process.

After a total loss, you may decide to replace the vehicle and update coverage. If your situation changes, review the steps to cancel or replace your policy correctly so you avoid lapses or duplicate billing.

Should You Switch Insurers After an Engine Claim?

A claim can affect premiums at renewal, but the impact varies by company, state, and your overall driving/claims history. If you’re shopping, compare apples to apples: deductibles, endorsements (rental, towing, gap), and claim service. Here are practical tips for switching auto insurers without accidentally losing key protections.

Final Thoughts

Car insurance can cover a blown engine only when the engine damage is the result of a covered incident (like a crash, floodwater intrusion, fire, theft-related damage, or vandalism) and you carry the right coverage. If the engine failed due to wear and tear or maintenance issues, insurance usually won’t pay—but a warranty, service contract, or mechanical breakdown coverage may help depending on the terms.

When in doubt, document everything, don’t keep driving a failing engine, and ask your insurer what evidence they need to evaluate the cause of loss.

FAQs on Car Insurance and Blown Engines