Written by: Trevor Mahoney
Last updated: February 17, 2022
Many drivers often invest in car insurance only to be surprised when an unfortunate accident or repair is required and they don’t have any coverage. Sometimes, people may even believe car insurance and their manufacturer warranty are the same, despite many critical differences. So, let’s clear the air on car insurance and see just what exactly could be covered with your investment.
What is Car Insurance?
Car insurance is, in most states, required by law. In most cases, car insurance is used to cover collisions and other various perils that may be defined in your policy. For example, some car insurance policies may provide coverage for natural disaster events such as a tree collapsing on your car. It also offers liability protection in the event of an accident should somebody be injured.
In many cases, repair coverage will not be a part of your car insurance unless the repair is needed due to an accident and is deemed covered by your plan. Instead, that’s what an auto warranty plan is for.
The Differences Between Car Insurance and Warranty
In short, the differences between car insurance and auto warranty center around what has occurred. As mentioned, a collision will likely be handled by auto insurance, whereas a random part breaking down will fall under the realm of an auto warranty. Most dealerships will offer some form of warranty coverage for the first couple of years when you buy a new car that may cover oil and filter changes, significant mileage repairs and more.
At a point, however, this manufacturer warranty coverage will expire and leave your vehicle vastly unprotected. For example, say a gasket randomly blows under the hood and your manufacturer warranty expired the year prior. Your car insurance will not likely cover that repair cost as it did not result from a collision. Instead, to receive repair coverage in the years after a manufacturer warranty expires, investing in an extended warranty is the best way to go.
Essentially, these types of auto coverage plans do the same exact thing as manufacturer warranty, but they are often more specialized. Offering exclusively powertrain coverage, general component protection, or even high-mileage vehicle protection for some plans, they will ensure certain repairs are covered.
What Will Car Insurance Cover?
You may now be wondering what exactly your car insurance will cover. The short answer is that it will actually cover a decent amount under the hood, assuming you were in an accident when the parts were damaged. While specific coverage can vary from provider to provider, some common coverage points include:
- Electrical systems
- Air conditioner or heater
- Fuel systems
- Transmission
- Overall engine
- Cooling systems
As a reminder, routine maintenance required for all of the above systems under the hood will not likely be covered if any issues or repairs result from day-to-day wear and tear. It’s also important to read the fine print of any car insurance policy you do invest in so that you can understand when and what coverage is available to you.
This is precisely why having both car insurance and some type of vehicle warranty is an excellent protection strategy. If you think of the coverage provided by both car insurance and warranties as individual circles, having both causes them to overlap, which provides maximum coverage for whatever issues may arise.
It’s worth noting that many manufacturer warranties come included with your vehicle, but you will be expected to pay for policies from third-party providers. In the long-term, however, this cost could potentially be far smaller than that of a major engine or transmission repair down the line if you didn’t have any coverage.
Keep Your Vehicle Protected with All Around Coverage
The best way to keep your vehicle protected from the unexpected is to invest in all-around protection. Adding car insurance on top of your manufacturer warranty can be an excellent strategy to receive additional benefits. For those who no longer have a manufacturer’s warranty, consider adding a service contract from a third-party provider that can offer protection that car insurance does not cover. Feel free to explore our top reviews for leading extended car warranty providers to see if there is a solution for you.
