What Is It, Is It Worth It?

Mechanical breakdown insurance is usually available from major and regional car insurance providers, as well as some third-party companies that offer vehicle service contracts.

Best for older cars

Endurance sells standalone MBI service contracts and covers cars up to 20 years old with no mileage cap. Contracts can cover repairs up to $10,000 or the trade-in value of your car as determined by J.D. Power, whichever is lower.

Best for choosing your own garage

Available by membership, Good Sam’s MBI policy allows users to pick their repair shop. Just call the claims number on your policyholder card, give the card to your garage and they’ll handle the rest. If you’re stranded, Good Sam pays up to $100 per day for lodging and meals and up to $60 a day for a rental car.

Best for affordability

Progressive customers can get MBI for as little as $12 per month, with cars 2 model years or newer accepted and renewability available until the vehicle reaches 8 years old. It also covers minor cosmetic dents and dings and key fob replacement with no deductible.

Best for broad coverage: Allstate

The Extended Vehicle Care plan available to Allstate car insurance customers comes with coverage for the engine, transmission, drive axle, steering, suspension, transmission, emissions and exhaust, as well as for AC/heating, seats and seat belts. Repairs come with a $50 deductible and policyholders can choose their repair shop.

Best for renewals: Geico

If you have Geico auto insurance, you can get MBI on a covered car up to 20 model years old or with 150,000 miles. There’s no inspection required and you can renew for up to seven years or 100,000 miles.

Here are the pros and cons to be aware of before you buy a policy.

Mechanical breakdown insurance can be a good idea if you have an older or used car that will need regular repairs but is still within the coverage limits. You may save money by getting a policy from your insurance company, rather than from a third party.

Before you buy, see if your car is still covered by its manufacturer’s warranty, which can last 3 years or 36,000 miles — or longer, depending on the manufacturer and part. If your warranty is valid, you’d need to use it before your MBI policy was valid.

Manufacturer warranties follow the car, not the owner, so it could still be valid for a car you bought used.

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