Can You Get State Farm Mechanical Breakdown Insurance?
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State Farm is the nation’s largest car insurance company with a 16-percent market share and a positive reputation in the industry, but does it offer mechanical breakdown insurance? If you’re interested in purchasing State Farm mechanical breakdown insurance, you may be out of luck.
In this article, we’ll review whether State Farm mechanical breakdown insurance is an option for your vehicle. We’ll also compare mechanical breakdown insurance to a typical extended warranty and give you a rundown of the best extended car warranty companies on the market.
To start comparing coverage from our top recommended providers, click above.
Pros | State Farm is a leading provider of car insurance with strong financials and multiple insurance products. |
Cons | State Farm does not offer mechanical breakdown insurance. |
Bottom Line | State Farm mechanical breakdown insurance is not an option, but you can get extended auto coverage from another insurance company or a warranty company. |
Table of contents
What is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance?
Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) is an auto insurance policy that pays to repair vehicle damage due to defects in workmanship or materials. Some insurance providers that offer mechanical breakdown insurance include Geico, AAA, Liberty Mutual, Mercury, and Allstate.
Although mechanical breakdown insurance is fairly comprehensive, it may not cover every vehicle component. Some common exclusions of MBI policies are:
- Damage due to vehicle misuse or normal wear and tear
- Corrosion and rust
- Damage from weather-related incidents
- Collision damage
- Any vehicle parts not listed in your MBI contract
Does State Farm Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Exist?
As of 2021, State Farm mechanical breakdown insurance is not available to consumers. Rest assured, there are plenty of other options to protect your vehicle after your factory warranty expires, either through different insurers or extended warranty companies.
The leading insurance provider that offers mechanical breakdown insurance is Geico. We’ve found that Geico mechanical breakdown insurance is competitively priced and provides comprehensive coverage.
Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
While State Farm mechanical breakdown insurance is not an option for your vehicle, you may consider getting an MBI policy from Geico. The company has a strong industry reputation, and its mechanical breakdown insurance offers a high level of coverage for a fair price.
Geico mechanical breakdown insurance is an add-on type of coverage that can protect your new car for up to 7 years or 100,000 miles. It covers parts of your vehicle including the engine, transmission, drive axle, steering, suspension, cooling system, and certain electrical components.
Extended Warranties Vs. Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
While Geico mechanical breakdown insurance may offer all the coverage you need, you could find the flexibility and benefits of an extended car warranty outweigh those offered by an MBI policy.
Mechanical breakdown insurance and extended car warranties are both designed to protect some of your car’s most vital components. They are similar in that they provide the peace of mind that you won’t be stuck paying thousands of dollars in unexpected repair bills. But with either plan, there’s also no guarantee that you’ll need to use all of the coverage you pay for.
Here are some key differences between mechanical breakdown insurance and extended warranties:
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance |
Extended Auto Warranty |
|---|---|
MBI plans are backed by insurance companies and are regulated by the government. |
Extended warranty providers have different industry standards than insurance companies. |
MBI plans tend to cost less per year. |
Extended warranties tend to have more comprehensive coverage and more plan options. |
Prices are set and usually more difficult to haggle down. |
Prices are negotiable for extended car warranties from third-party providers. |
Now, let’s take a look at how Geico’s MBI policy measures up against bumper-to-bumper and powertrain extended warranties from our top recommended provider, Endurance:
Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance |
Endurance Secure Extended Warranty |
Endurance Supreme Extended Warranty |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Vehicle Eligibility Requirements |
Vehicles no older than 15 months and with less than 15,000 miles |
Some luxury vehicles not covered |
Some luxury vehicles not covered |
Maximum Length of Coverage |
Up to 7 years or 100,000 miles |
Over 200,000 miles |
Over 200,000 miles |
Price |
$60 to $180 annually |
$156.28 for 18 months* |
$166.88 for 18 months* |
Deductible |
$250 |
$0, $50, $100, or $200 |
$0, $50, $100, or $200 |
Choice of Repair Shop? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
*Quotes acquired by our research team for a 2017 Ford Explorer with 45,000 miles.
As you can see, both Endurance plans can offer longer coverage terms with more flexibility on vehicle eligibility and deductibles. However, Geico MBI is significantly more affordable.
Here’s a comparison of some of the major parts covered by each plan:
Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance |
Endurance Secure Extended Warranty |
Endurance Supreme Extended Warranty |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Air Conditioning |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Brakes |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Drive Axle |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Electrical |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Engine |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Steering |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Suspension |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Transmission |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
Transfer Case |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Turbo/Supercharger |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Fuel System |
✓ |
||
Gaskets |
✓ |
Our Top Recommendations for Extended Car Warranties
Endurance: Best Coverage
An Endurance extended warranty offers the best coverage on the market. Although the cost of an Endurance plan is generally higher than that of mechanical breakdown insurance, it’s also much more comprehensive and comes with a number of added benefits.
Endurance offers six levels of coverage:
Plan |
Overview |
|---|---|
Supreme |
Bumper-to-bumper exclusionary coverage |
Superior |
Highest level of stated-component coverage |
Secure Plus |
Enhanced powertrain coverage |
Secure |
Basic powertrain coverage |
Select Premier |
Coverage for high-mileage vehicles |
EnduranceAdvantageTM |
Covers both mechanical breakdowns and maintenance services |
With any plan, you will receive one year free of Endurance Elite Benefits. This grants you benefits including:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Key fob replacement
- Tire repair and replacement
- Total loss protection
- Collision discount
- Endurance mobile app
Click below to get an Endurance extended warranty quote, and learn more in our in-depth Endurance warranty review.
CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars
CARCHEX is one of the most popular extended car warranty providers in the US. It has a positive industry reputation and partners with prominent companies like Kelley Blue Book and CARFAX.
CARCHEX has five extended warranty plans to choose from:
Plan |
Overview |
|---|---|
Titanium |
Bumper-to-bumper exclusionary coverage |
Platinum |
Highest level of stated-component coverage |
Gold |
Mid-tier essential component coverage |
Silver |
Essential component coverage designed for pre-owned vehicles |
Bronze |
Basic powertrain coverage |
Benefits that come with all CARCHEX warranties include:
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Courtesy towing
- Rental car reimbursement
- Fuel delivery
- Trip interruption service
To get a free CARCHEX quote for your vehicle, click below. Then, check out our comprehensive review of CARCHEX.
Our rating: 4.4 out of 5.0
Our research found this provider to be the best for used cars.
Methodology
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
- Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
- Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.
Q & A
Does State Farm offer mechanical breakdown insurance?
No, State Farm mechanical breakdown insurance is not offered at this time.
Which insurance companies offer mechanical breakdown insurance?
Top insurance companies that offer mechanical breakdown insurance include Geico, AAA, Liberty Mutual, Allstate, and Mercury Insurance.
Should I get mechanical breakdown insurance?
If your vehicle qualifies for a mechanical breakdown insurance policy from your auto insurance company, it’s definitely worth reaching out for a quote. If the price is right, an MBI policy could be a great investment to protect you against paying hefty car repair bills. If your vehicle does not qualify for mechanical breakdown insurance, your best bet is to get an extended car warranty from a top provider like Endurance or CARCHEX.
Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.
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