Does auto insurance cover a clutch?
A clutch can be expensive to replace. Unfortunately, it isn't usually covered by insurance. Here is when a clutch has coverage under auto insurance, and what type of coverage you need.
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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: Jun 22, 2023
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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: Jun 22, 2023
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
- Wear and tear generally causes clutch damage
- Insurance may cover clutch damage incurred in an accident
- You need sufficient policy coverage for clutch insurance to take care of repairs
A clutch repair costs $1,200 to $1,400. Though it’s expensive, auto insurance companies will cover the cost if your clutch gets damaged in an accident. All you need to do is file a claim, and your insurance pays for clutch repair.
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as clutch insurance. As a result, your insurance probably won’t pay for repairs if normal wear and tear or incorrect usage damage your clutch.
Continue reading to learn how to save money on auto insurance for clutch repairs and when car insurance for clutch repairs is available.
How Auto Insurance Covers Clutch Repair
Suppose you get into a significant accident and damage your clutch and transmission. Depending on who’s at fault, your collision coverage or the other party’s property damage liability would provide coverage.
However, auto insurance companies only pay out up to your coverage limits. If the total damages are $50,000, and you only have $30,000 worth of coverage, you must pay the remaining $20,000 out of pocket.
Auto insurance companies recommend going above and beyond on liability levels. Adding $10,000 or more above the state requirement would only hike your rates by a few extra dollars per month.
If the clutch gets damaged but it wasn’t from an accident, one of the only other ways insurance would cover it is if water from a flood damages the clutch.
For insurance to accept the claim, you need to make a comprehensive claim for auto insurance to help pay for non-driving incidents.
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What are the common causes of clutch damage?
There are plenty of ways for a clutch to give out, and it’s prevalent in manual cars, especially when someone slips the clutch frequently.
The most common ways for the clutch to get damaged include:
- Wear and tear
- Oil on the clutch
- Water in the clutch
- Clutch overheating
Insurance companies won’t cover an overheating clutch or normal wear and tear and, in most instances, won’t cover oil on the clutch. Insurers also won’t pay for repairs unrelated to a covered claim.
You are responsible for maintaining your car. Therefore, your car insurance policy won’t cover anything that fails due to you not maintaining your car.
However, if your car or parts are still under warranty, you may be able to have your clutch repaired.
What kind of coverage do you need for clutch insurance?
The minimum car insurance required in each state is different. This requirement includes bodily injury and property damage liability.
The state will identify the levels you must carry, and quotes provided by auto insurance companies will include those coverage levels.
Other required coverage types — either by the state or lienholder — include:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
- Medical payments
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
- Collision and comprehensive coverage
Though you can customize your policy to fit your needs and budget, you must maintain minimum state requirements.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners monitors the cost of basic coverage rates each year. Let’s look at the national average of basic auto insurance coverage rates for comparison.
Average Auto Insurance Rates by Coverage Type
| Basic Auto Insurance Coverage Types | Average Annual Auto Insurance Insurance Rates | Average Monthly Auto Insurance Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | $148 | $12 |
| Collision | $327 | $27 |
| Liability | $555 | $46 |
| Full | $1,030 | $86 |
The average clutch replacement cost is between $1,200 to $1,400. The national average for full coverage is $1,029 per year, so it’s cheaper to have full coverage. In addition, full coverage pays for the damages if an accident damages your clutch.
However, liability-only coverage will not cover the cost of a damaged clutch since it only pays for the other party’s bodily injuries and property damages.
You may also consider mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). MBI helps pay for repairs when certain parts on your car fail, although it doesn’t cover wear and tear or negligence.
When you have a damaged clutch, see what the various insurance types cover and which ones you have on your policy.
Is it worth it to file a car insurance claim on your clutch?
Filing a claim can increase auto insurance rates. The increase varies from company to company, but it’s worth it if you’re trying to get your vehicle back on the road.
Even if it’s minor clutch damage, it’s best to file a claim if you think auto insurance will cover it. As with filing any auto insurance claim, there are certain steps to make the process easy.
First, determine the damage and file your claim quickly. Many insurance companies only allow you to file a claim within a specific time.
Next, follow your insurer’s claims process, such as submitting a police report or getting an estimate. Your insurance company may require an adjuster to determine if the damage is covered.
Finally, get your car repaired. While some insurance companies only work with their specified repair shops, others may allow you to use the facility of your choice.
You don’t have to worry about filing a claim when damage results from wear and tear. For example, you don’t report each time you get an oil change, and the same is true of clutch repairs because it’s necessary to take care of your car.
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Clutch Insurance: The Bottom Line
Often, the clutch isn’t covered by car insurance, and repairing it could be expensive, depending on how the damage occurred and your coverage type.
When in doubt, contact the auto insurance company and talk to them about the damages to see if they’ll pay for a repair or replacement.
Unfortunately, car insurance doesn’t cover your vehicle’s everyday wear and tear. So unless an accident or act of nature, like a flood, damaged your clutch, you’d have to pay for repairs yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does auto insurance cover damage or repairs to a clutch?
In most cases, standard auto insurance policies do not cover damage or repairs to a clutch. Auto insurance typically provides coverage for damage caused by accidents, theft, vandalism, and certain natural disasters. However, mechanical breakdowns or wear and tear of vehicle components, such as the clutch, are typically not covered.
Are there any auto insurance policies that offer coverage for clutch damage?
Yes, there are specialized insurance policies known as mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) or extended warranty plans that may provide coverage for clutch damage. These policies go beyond traditional auto insurance coverage and can help cover the cost of repairs due to mechanical failures, including clutch damage. It’s important to note that MBI or extended warranty plans are optional and require separate purchase in addition to your standard auto insurance policy.
How can I determine if my auto insurance policy covers clutch damage?
To understand the specific coverage offered by your auto insurance policy, it’s recommended to review your policy documents or contact your insurance provider directly. The policy details will outline the covered perils and exclusions, including any mechanical breakdown coverage, if applicable.
What are some factors that could affect the coverage for clutch damage?
While auto insurance policies generally exclude coverage for mechanical breakdowns, there are certain scenarios where clutch damage may be covered. Some factors that could impact the coverage include the type of policy you have (e.g., comprehensive, collision, MBI), the cause of clutch damage (e.g., accident-related, manufacturer defect), and any additional endorsements or add-ons you may have purchased.
Can clutch damage be covered under a comprehensive or collision insurance policy?
In most cases, comprehensive and collision insurance policies do not cover clutch damage unless it can be directly attributed to a covered incident, such as an accident or theft. Clutch damage resulting from normal wear and tear or mechanical failure is typically not covered under these types of policies.
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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.