Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a transmission failure?

What You Should Know

  • Full auto insurance coverage would not cover transmission failure unless it was from an accident
  • For auto insurance to cover the damage caused by a transmission failure, it has to be from an incident that can be claimed
  • No auto insurance coverage will pay for the damages to a vehicle if it is just from mechanical failure

Nothing is worse than having the transmission go on your vehicle, especially if further damage occurs. So let’s take some of the guesswork out of what sort of auto insurance will help with your transmission failure.

Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a transmission failure? Getting a transmission replacement is costly and difficult, and this guide will provide pertinent information as to whether your insurance plan will cover it.

In addition, you can shop for auto insurance quotes by vehicle to find the most affordable options for coverage in your area.

Will my auto insurance cover damage from a transmission failure?

Having the transmission go on your vehicle is the absolute worst-case scenario barring a total engine replacement. The good news is, your auto insurance plan may very well cover the replacement and installation of your transmission. However, your vehicle will not be covered if the transmission decides to give up the ghost.

Unfortunately, the expense rests on your shoulders at that point. Auto insurance will cover a vehicle’s transmission replacement in the event of a covered incident and all the accompanying damages. You might ask yourself, “How much auto insurance coverage do I need?” Let’s clarify what will cover a transmission failure.

For what auto insurance will cover, here are a few examples:

  • Accidents: If your transmission suffers catastrophic damage while in a collision, your auto insurance covers the damage.
  • Natural disasters: Any sort of nature-derived incident which causes catastrophic damage to your vehicle’s transmission will see your auto insurance cover the damage

For mechanical negligence, you’ll be on your own, unfortunately. Any incident where you’d be filing a claim an auto insurance claim will result in the damage caused by a transmission failure being covered, however.

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What sort of auto insurance covers damage caused by a transmission failure?

If you’ve been in a claimable incident, only two varieties of auto insurance will cover the cost of the damage.

Collision auto insurance will cover the damage caused by a transmission failure in the event of an accident. However, you will have to prove the damage that caused a transmission failure was incurred during the accident.

Comprehensive auto insurance will cover the damage incurred if it was done during any non-accident-related incident. This includes natural disasters, sinkholes, and vandalism. However, you will have to provide proof that damage to your transmission occurred during the claimable incident.

You may wonder about Comprehensive vs. Collision Coverage and which might be better for your needs. If you want to provide a wider range of coverage for your vehicle, then getting both is the best choice.

Choosing the Right Auto Insurance for Different Types of Damage

Mechanical failures like a complete loss of your transmission are a massive headache. If these mechanical failures occur during a claimable incident, having the right auto insurance can take some of the burdens off of you.

Unfortunately, liability insurance isn’t of much use when considering what will cover mechanical failures that can be covered. Picking the right coverage requires understanding auto insurance and what the different types cover.

As previously mentioned, liability isn’t much use for mechanical damage. Its primary purpose is paying for the repairs to another vehicle if you are the responsible party in an accident.

Collision auto insurance will cover mechanical damage, including transmission failure. It does require that those mechanical failures are directly caused by a claimable accident.

Having collision auto insurance serves as a great safety net for these sorts of incidents and can save you a fair amount regarding the actual cost of repairs.

Comprehensive auto insurance covers damages caused by incidents that aren’t strictly automobile accidents. This means things like vandalism, damages caused by wildlife, and natural disasters can all be considered when factoring in having repairs covered.

The Final Word on Auto Insurance Covering Transmission Damage

Having your transmission fail is catastrophic, but there are options for a covered incident. It will require concrete proof that a claimable incident was responsible for the damage to your transmission, but it beats the alternative. In addition, having the right auto insurance coverage will result in far lower repair bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim in the event of a mechanical failure?

Auto insurance coverage doesn’t help with costs associated with mechanical failure. If your vehicle has transmission failure following negligence, repair costs will rest solely on your shoulders.

Does liability auto insurance cover transmission failure?

Liability auto insurance only covers the cost of damages to another person’s vehicle if you are responsible for an accident. If your only coverage is liability auto insurance, then the cost of repairs will be your responsibility. 

Is full coverage the best option for transmission failure?

Full coverage is a great choice for having coverage for any sort of incident that might affect your vehicle. For example, if your budget allows for it, full coverage will certainly cover transmission failure in a claimable incident.

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Rachel Bodine

Insurance Feature Writer

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All…

Leslie Kasperowicz

Farmers CSR for 4 Years

Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insurance…

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