Every car owner knows how important it is to keep their vehicle in great working order if they want to get as many years out of it as possible. While routine maintenance and scheduled services like oil changes and tire rotations are important, it is even more crucial to get small problems fixed before they become bigger ones.

Car troubles tend to have a domino effect that can turn the slightest issue into an expensive breakdown, and addressing repairs quickly is your best bet if you want to save money on vehicle repairs. Getting prompt service can be expensive, though, and not everyone can spend money on repairs that aren’t pressing. That’s why it is so important to have a protection plan in place for when you need help paying for repairs quickly and easily.

A protection plan such as an extended car warranty can help you get to the shop as soon as an issue arises with your vehicle. However, in California, extended warranties are not available. To help California drivers get the repairs they need, Endurance and other third-party providers offer seguro averia mecanica (or MBI), which functions just like an extended warranty but is regulated by the car insurance industry, which also regulates auto insurance policies in the Golden State.

As with extended warranties, mechanical breakdown insurance coverage may also have a deductible that you have to pay out-of-pocket when you take your car in and file a claim. Knowing what the deductible is for mechanical breakdown insurance and how you can choose your deductible wisely will help you make the best decision for yourself and your bank account.

Endurance’s MBI Coverage and Deductibles

Endurance’s mechanical breakdown insurance, also called car repair insurance, comes in different tiers: Powertrain Plus, Standard, Premium, and Elite Plus. These tiers all cover different components of your vehicle, and the higher the tier, the more protection you will get. If, for example, you only want to cover the most essential components of your vehicle, the Powertrain Plus plan will be your best bet. If you want more comprehensive coverage for mechanical failures, the Elite Plus plan covers a wide range of components and is as close to an exclusionary type of coverage as you can get.

When you choose a level of coverage, you can also choose the deductible you would like to pay. The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket until the coverage kicks in. If you have a $200 deductible and a repair costs $500, you will pay the $200 out of pocket, and your MBI plan will pay the rest. Endurance offers deductibles of $0, $50, $100, and $200.

It is important to note that the deductible options you have will vary depending on the plan, with most plans having a maximum of $200. The deductible you choose will affect the amount you pay per month for your MBI coverage, so it is a good idea to think about your financial needs and how the deductible may affect your ability to pay for your coverage.

Balancing Act: Deductible vs. Warranty Value

When you choose a deductible, it will affect the monthly payment installments you have to make for your coverage. A $0 deductible plan will cost more per month than a $200 deductible plan. Because of this, it is important to consider how much you can afford on your premiums and how much you will be able to pay when a potential problem arises with your vehicle that needs to be fixed.

If you are someone who likes to enjoy immediate savings, a low-deductible MBI plan may be the right choice for you. However, if you would prefer to save money in the long run, you can lower your monthly premiums by having a higher deductible for your plan. What you choose will depend on several different factors with your car as well as your financial situation and how that may change as time goes on.

Selecting Your Ideal Deductible

The right deductible for you will depend on your particular situation as well as your vehicle. It is important to factor in the likelihood of something going wrong with your vehicle before deciding on a deductible. If you have a car with low miles and a reputation for reliability, it could be worth it to choose a higher deductible and get a lower premium in the process. Since the odds are good that you won’t have to take the vehicle in for repairs regularly, you can end up saving a lot of money in the long run.

You should also think about your financial situation and the odds of it changing in the future. If, for example, you work in an industry that has periods of instability or if you are self-employed, you may want to consider paying more on your monthly premiums and taking a smaller deductible. This way, you won’t find yourself having to pay a large portion of money upfront to have an unexpected repair fixed. You can spread the money out over time and contribute to it through your monthly payments.

Your personal aversion to risk and the chances of your vehicle needing a large repair soon should all play a part in your decision on your MBI plan’s deductible. If you are willing to bet that your vehicle will not need a repair in the near future, a larger deductible may end up saving you money in the long run. If you want to be certain that you don’t have to pay anything at the repair shop when you go in for a covered repair, paying more every month in order to have a small or $0 deductible could be your best option.

The option you choose will also depend on the plan you have for your vehicle. If you opt for a higher-tier plan, you will have to pay more per month, which may mean that it will be worth the risk of having a higher deductible. At Endurance, all plans are customized to your specific car, the number of miles on the odometer, and the make and model. It is a good idea to get a customized quote before you decide that a certain deductible is right for you.

The Endurance Difference: Beyond Deductibles

While pricing considerations like premiums and deductibles are important, it is just as crucial to think about all the other things MBI coverage has to offer aside from repair coverage. With an MBI plan from Endurance, you get standard benefits like Asistencia en carretera 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana and towing, trip interruption coverage, and rental car reimbursement, all of which can help cut the costs of car repairs and offer financial help when you need to get your vehicle fixed.

With an Endurance mechanical breakdown insurance policy, you also get the benefit of peace of mind with an equipo de servicio al cliente galardonado. With this team on-call and access to your plan 24 hours a day through the Endurance mobile app, you can get help with your repair and your claim any time you need it. Factoring in these extra benefits and savings will be a big help when the time comes to decide what kind of deductible you want with your mechanical breakdown insurance.

FAQs About MBI Coverage and Deductibles

Before you decide on your plan and your deductible, it is a good idea to be as informed as possible. Knowing the answers to some frequently asked questions will help you make the smart choice for your particular plan.

Who has the best mechanical breakdown insurance?

Coverage comes in many forms, and there are all kinds of mechanical breakdown insurance companies to choose from. Not all MBI policy providers are equal, though, and some will not offer the kind of coverage you are looking for. With four tiers of coverage and a wide range of extra perks and benefits, Endurance is an excellent choice for your MBI service contract.

Is mechanical breakdown car insurance worth it?

Before you can decide if mechanical breakdown insurance is worth it, you have to know what you can expect from your car. Research some of the most common issues that your particular make and model of vehicle is known for. If it appears that there is a high likelihood that an expensive repair will come up in the near future, MBI could be a great way to mitigate some of the cost and keep your personal financial obligations to a minimum.

What is the difference between mechanical breakdown insurance and an extended warranty?

MBI and extended warranties are similar in that they both offer coverage for repairs that may have to happen to your vehicle. In California, though, third-party extended warranties are not available. This means that MBI, which is regulated by the same agencies that regulate car liability insurance, is an excellent alternative in that state. You can get a similar level of coverage and protect yourself and your vehicle from expensive, unexpected breakdowns.

How does a deductible for mechanical breakdown insurance work?

When you take your vehicle in for repair, the shop will diagnose the issue and give you an estimate for the work. A deductible is the amount of money you will pay before your mechanical breakdown insurance covers the cost of the repair. If you have a $50 deductible and the repair costs $150, you will only be responsible for paying the $50, and your MBI will cover the rest. If you have a $0 deductible, you will not have to pay anything out of pocket as long as the repair is covered by your plan.

Empowering Your Coverage Choices

The deductible you choose for your mechanical breakdown insurance is heavily dependent on things like your used car, your financial situation, and your aversion to risk. Deductibles are critical components of MBI coverage, and it is important that you weigh all the factors before deciding what is right for you. If you want a plan that offers both protection and affordability, finding the right deductible amount is essential. With a little bit of thinking, you can get a plan that will give you the confidence you need, no matter what happens.

Endurance offers mechanical breakdown coverage plans for every budget and vehicle, which means you can get a customized protection plan for your vehicle, whether it is a high-mileage car or a high-end luxury vehicle.

With plans ranging from the most basic powertrain coverage all the way up to exclusion coverage, there is something for everyone. Endurance also offers protection for vehicles that other VSC providers won’t cover, such as Mercado gris canadiense vehículos, automóviles con título reconstruido o rescatado, o vehículos utilizados con fines comerciales como viaje compartido o entrega.

Take advantage of our services and experience our award-winning customer service firsthand. Contact an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 a Solicite una cotización GRATIS. Alternatively, visit our tienda en línea para obtener una vista previa instantánea del precio para que pueda comprar con confianza.

También puede encontrar más recursos de expertos en automóviles en el Blog Endurance. Explorar preguntas frecuentes, warranty provider comparisons like Geico, seguro averia mecanica guías para conductores de California, consejos y trucos de mantenimiento de bricolaje y más.