Does auto insurance cover transmission repair?
Auto insurance does cover transmission repair if you have the right kinds of coverage. A transmission may be covered under collision, comprehensive, or mechanical breakdown insurance, depending on the circumstances. Learn how to make sure you're covered.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 22, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 22, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- If your transmission needs repairs after an accident, your auto insurance should assist with the costs
- Liability insurance will not cover repairs if you are at fault in an accident, but your collision insurance might
- When the transmission breaks because of normal use, mechanical breakdown insurance is the only type of coverage that assists with repairs
Your transmission controls how quickly the energy from your car’s engine reaches your wheels and driveshaft. Whether you’re driving six or 60 miles per hour, this part ensures that your car moves forward steadily and smoothly. As a result, keeping it in good condition is essential for driving safely.
If your transmission is out of commission, you may be wondering, “Does insurance cover a transmission?” Auto insurance policies vary from company to company, but there are a few common features. In this article, you’ll learn the basics of transmission coverage, which types of insurance assist with transmission repairs, and additional issues to discuss with your insurance company.
When does auto insurance cover transmission repair?
If you get in an accident and your transmission needs repair, your auto insurance policy will likely cover the damages. Collision coverage applies whenever your vehicle collides with another car or an object such as a building or fence. Regardless of fault, you can use collision insurance to repair your transmission and other damaged parts.
Your transmission could also break when you’re not driving the car, which means that collision coverage doesn’t apply. A comprehensive insurance policy would assist with transmission repairs in the following circumstances:
- Natural disasters. A flood, hurricane, or tornado could send debris into your car’s mechanical parts.
- Vandalism. Someone could intentionally damage your car.
- Theft. Someone could break your transmission while attempting to steal your car or one of its components.
- Fires. Your garage could catch on fire, and the flames or smoke damage could spread to your vehicle.
Every insurance company handles comprehensive coverage differently, so it’s worth checking if your policy includes transmissions before filing a comprehensive claim.
Most major insurance companies, including Geico and Progressive, offer comprehensive and collision insurance options. A chart featuring the average comprehensive insurance rates by state can be seen below.
| STATE | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $156.31 | $151.40 | $146.91 | $140.60 | $136.19 | $146.28 |
| Alaska | $137.26 | $140.15 | $141.68 | $142.96 | $143.36 | $141.08 |
| Arizona | $186.12 | $185.63 | $180.88 | $180.97 | $187.38 | $184.20 |
| Arkansas | $190.41 | $193.34 | $185.45 | $176.51 | $171.10 | $183.36 |
| California | $100.54 | $98.73 | $97.80 | $99.34 | $100.02 | $99.29 |
| Colorado | $174.61 | $167.94 | $158.50 | $147.69 | $142.95 | $158.34 |
| Connecticut | $131.62 | $130.80 | $126.34 | $121.57 | $119.78 | $126.02 |
| Delaware | $122.49 | $116.49 | $112.21 | $108.49 | $106.45 | $113.23 |
| District of Columbia | $233.24 | $233.65 | $230.19 | $227.97 | $226.22 | $230.25 |
| Florida | $116.53 | $111.68 | $106.88 | $105.66 | $109.86 | $110.12 |
| Georgia | $159.18 | $154.05 | $150.65 | $151.16 | $153.03 | $153.61 |
| Hawaii | $101.56 | $98.01 | $95.18 | $101.41 | $104.28 | $100.09 |
| Idaho | $116.55 | $114.05 | $108.06 | $107.55 | $107.69 | $110.78 |
| Illinois | $128.13 | $124.89 | $116.34 | $110.54 | $110.00 | $117.98 |
| Indiana | $122.06 | $117.25 | $112.34 | $113.31 | $110.13 | $115.02 |
| Iowa | $183.53 | $178.45 | $171.71 | $164.52 | $159.67 | $171.58 |
| Kansas | $241.36 | $238.67 | $226.19 | $211.94 | $208.56 | $225.34 |
| Kentucky | $141.39 | $133.55 | $128.20 | $124.11 | $123.49 | $130.15 |
| Louisiana | $215.17 | $211.90 | $203.52 | $204.69 | $207.68 | $208.59 |
| Maine | $104.98 | $97.35 | $95.40 | $94.60 | $90.95 | $96.66 |
| Maryland | $152.72 | $149.70 | $147.29 | $143.24 | $140.88 | $146.77 |
| Massachusetts | $134.96 | $132.64 | $129.97 | $125.88 | $121.13 | $128.92 |
| Michigan | $154.85 | $149.11 | $144.74 | $142.50 | $143.88 | $147.02 |
| Minnesota | $184.27 | $180.52 | $171.87 | $166.49 | $162.06 | $173.04 |
| Mississippi | $210.33 | $201.01 | $190.98 | $186.58 | $184.79 | $194.74 |
| Missouri | $181.27 | $175.70 | $163.62 | $155.98 | $155.14 | $166.34 |
| Montana | $211.91 | $210.48 | $198.70 | $190.62 | $187.65 | $199.87 |
| Nebraska | $229.25 | $223.03 | $205.36 | $192.56 | $181.00 | $206.24 |
| Nevada | $117.63 | $117.20 | $114.77 | $114.45 | $119.89 | $116.79 |
| New Hampshire | $110.77 | $106.62 | $102.02 | $99.24 | $96.52 | $103.03 |
| New Jersey | $131.35 | $126.26 | $122.54 | $117.64 | $118.10 | $123.18 |
| New Mexico | $172.57 | $167.70 | $162.39 | $163.02 | $168.75 | $166.89 |
| New York | $171.12 | $165.07 | $155.65 | $147.33 | $144.13 | $156.66 |
| North Carolina | $136.08 | $130.37 | $121.66 | $115.06 | $111.83 | $123.00 |
| North Dakota | $231.04 | $233.06 | $229.05 | $225.42 | $219.63 | $227.64 |
| Ohio | $121.61 | $117.58 | $113.02 | $107.30 | $104.21 | $112.74 |
| Oklahoma | $225.84 | $219.85 | $197.45 | $185.01 | $179.63 | $201.56 |
| Oregon | $93.87 | $90.79 | $86.53 | $86.92 | $90.21 | $89.66 |
| Pennsylvania | $144.21 | $138.27 | $131.71 | $124.28 | $121.57 | $132.01 |
| Rhode Island | $132.19 | $125.17 | $118.86 | $116.41 | $118.21 | $122.17 |
| South Carolina | $180.94 | $175.19 | $165.41 | $156.22 | $149.16 | $165.38 |
| South Dakota | $258.11 | $242.27 | $227.31 | $214.07 | $201.21 | $228.59 |
| Tennessee | $148.45 | $144.60 | $136.73 | $126.31 | $122.03 | $135.62 |
| Texas | $206.42 | $192.33 | $186.11 | $176.41 | $172.24 | $186.70 |
| Utah | $109.50 | $109.56 | $106.91 | $103.18 | $103.69 | $106.57 |
| Vermont | $125.48 | $120.18 | $118.70 | $116.45 | $110.74 | $118.31 |
| Virginia | $136.54 | $134.50 | $130.00 | $125.87 | $122.53 | $129.89 |
| Washington | $106.38 | $104.88 | $101.12 | $102.61 | $105.55 | $104.11 |
| West Virginia | $204.28 | $200.10 | $195.28 | $189.20 | $186.32 | $195.04 |
| Wisconsin | $136.81 | $132.64 | $127.49 | $119.69 | $115.07 | $126.34 |
| Wyoming | $247.57 | $235.25 | $221.02 | $212.43 | $198.01 | $222.86 |
| Countrywide | $148.04 | $143.45 | $137.77 | $133.30 | $131.80 | $138.87 |
As you can see, rates can range from around $100 to $200, depending on where you live. To compare rates, use our comparison box below.
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When does auto insurance not cover transmission repair?
Although you can often use auto insurance to pay for transmission repairs, there are some cases when it doesn’t apply. If you didn’t cause an accident, the other party’s liability insurance covers your transmission. If they don’t have insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage should step in.
Standard auto insurance also does not cover a transmission that breaks down because of regular use. Depending on the manufacturer and how well you maintain your car, your transmission will likely last 100,000 to 300,000 miles. After that, you’ll have to pay for a new transmission out-of-pocket. Under a normal policy, any maintenance issues that come up in the meantime are your responsibility.
How can you get your insurance to cover a transmission?
If you’re looking for ways to get help repairing your transmission, you can take out a mechanical breakdown insurance policy. This type of insurance assists with repairs resulting from everyday wear and tear. Most insurance companies recommend investing in a policy after your transmission’s warranty expires.
Once you have mechanical breakdown insurance, you can file a claim to have your transmission repaired when the brake bands, turbines, or impellers break. Keep in mind that the more claims you file, the more likely your insurance company is to raise your rates. Take the cost of your deductible plus your monthly rates into account before filing a mechanical breakdown insurance claim.
Can you use GAP insurance to cover a transmission?
Contrary to common belief, GAP insurance does not simply cover issues that aren’t part of other car insurance policies. Instead, this type of insurance helps if your car gets totaled or severely damaged. Once your insurance company has paid its portion of repairs, GAP insurance covers the rest of what you still owe on your loan.
If only your transmission is broken, your car is probably not damaged enough to warrant a claim on your GAP insurance coverage. On the other hand, if your transmission is just one of many broken parts, your GAP insurance policy may be helpful. You can use a totaled car value calculator to see whether GAP insurance is worth it.
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Does a warranty take the place of insurance for transmission repairs?
Warranties work similarly to insurance policies in that they help cover some of the financial responsibility for different car parts. However, your transmission’s manufacturer provides a warranty, not a private insurance company. You may pay a one-time fee to get a warranty on your transmission, but you shouldn’t pay monthly rates as you do for insurance.
Your warranty covers normal breakages within a particular time frame. For example, if your warranty lasts a year and your brake band snaps after six months, your warranty should pay for repairs or a replacement. Most warranties don’t cover damages that occur during an accident or natural disaster, which is why having collision and comprehensive insurance is so important. Furthermore, warranties generally expire after a few months to a year, so you need mechanical breakdown insurance if you don’t want to handle transmission costs on your own.
What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance and Transmission Repair
If you caused an accident and your transmission needs repair, you can expect your auto insurance to cover the bill. If a natural disaster or another incident damages your transmission when you aren’t driving, comprehensive insurance can help. Generally, your liability or comprehensive insurance policies won’t cover transmission repairs that happen because of everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does auto insurance cover transmission repair?
In most cases, standard auto insurance policies do not cover the cost of repairing or replacing a transmission that fails due to normal wear and tear or mechanical breakdown. Auto insurance is primarily designed to provide coverage for damages resulting from accidents or covered incidents, rather than routine mechanical failures.
What type of coverage may include transmission repair?
While standard auto insurance policies may not cover transmission repair, there are specific coverage options that can help with mechanical breakdowns:
- Extended warranty: If you have purchased an extended warranty or mechanical breakdown insurance for your vehicle, it may provide coverage for transmission repairs or replacements. These types of warranties are typically purchased separately from your auto insurance policy.
- Vehicle service contracts: Some insurance companies offer vehicle service contracts, also known as mechanical breakdown insurance or extended service contracts. These contracts can provide coverage for repairs or replacements of mechanical components, including the transmission.
- Manufacturer’s warranty: If your vehicle is still covered under the manufacturer’s warranty, the transmission repair or replacement may be covered, subject to the terms and conditions of the warranty. Review your warranty documents or contact the vehicle manufacturer for more information.
Can a car accident lead to transmission damage covered by auto insurance?
Yes, if your transmission is damaged as a result of a covered incident, such as a car accident, collision coverage within your auto insurance policy may help cover the repair or replacement costs. Collision coverage typically covers damages to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object.
What factors affect coverage for transmission repair?
When it comes to coverage for transmission repair, several factors may come into play:
- Cause of the damage: Insurance coverage may depend on the cause of the transmission damage. If the damage is due to an accident, collision coverage might apply. However, if it is due to wear and tear or mechanical breakdown, additional coverage options like extended warranties or vehicle service contracts may be needed.
- Policy terms and exclusions: Review your auto insurance policy to understand any specific terms, conditions, or exclusions related to mechanical breakdowns or transmission repairs. Some policies may have limitations or exclusions regarding coverage for mechanical failures.
How can I protect myself against transmission repair costs?
To protect yourself against transmission repair costs, consider the following options:
- Maintenance and regular servicing: Proper maintenance and regular servicing of your vehicle, including the transmission, can help prevent major mechanical issues. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and address any potential transmission problems promptly.
- Extended warranties or vehicle service contracts: Consider purchasing an extended warranty or vehicle service contract that specifically covers mechanical breakdowns, including transmission repairs. These contracts can provide financial protection and peace of mind.
- Emergency savings: Build an emergency savings fund to cover unexpected repair costs, including transmission repairs. Having a financial buffer can help alleviate the financial burden if a transmission failure occurs.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.