Longevity is one of the most important things to strive for as a used car owner. The longer you can keep your car and ensure that it runs smoothly, the more value you will be able to get out of it. While there are all kinds of ways to improve the longevity of your car, regular maintenance will almost always be your best bet. A vehicle that has been well maintained will last many years and have fewer mechanical issues along the way than one that has been neglected.

While almost every car owner knows that maintenance is important, it can often be difficult to stay on top of it. Not everyone has the funds to get their vehicle’s oil changed every 3,500 miles or to rotate the tires every 5,000 miles.

Because of that, many cars don’t get the proper maintenance attention and may develop issues that can turn into expensive repairs down the line. Car maintenance insurance can help you keep your vehicle running smoothly for a long time, and understanding how it works is a great way to decide if it is right for you.

What Is Car Maintenance Insurance?

Car maintenance insurance, sometimes confused with car repair insurance policies, is a relatively new form of coverage for vehicles and drivers. While traditional auto insurance and mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) have been around for a long time, they often do not include regular upkeep as a part of the coverage.

Car maintenance insurance allows you to pay a premium that will help you stay on top of maintenance, even if you don’t have the cash on hand to get the procedures done. This way, you won’t have to miss a scheduled maintenance milestone due to a lack of funds, and you can get more value out of your car over the years.

Car maintenance insurance can help you pay for all the routine procedures that are so essential for your vehicle. Things like oil changes, tire rotations, and transmission fluid flushes can work wonders when it comes to the lifespan of your vehicle. By having a plan in place that will help you pay for these crucial procedures, you can rest easy knowing that you are doing everything you can to keep your car running.

How Car Maintenance Insurance Differs from Extended Warranties and Traditional Car Insurance

Chances are, you have heard of other vehicle protection plans that you can get to prevent unexpected repair bills and keep the cost of owning your car as low as possible. Extended warranties and traditional auto insurance are common and, in the case of a traditional auto insurance policy, a requirement for driving on public roads. Car maintenance insurance, though, is a fairly new idea and you might not be as well versed in how it differs from more common protection plans.

Extended warranties are designed to help you pay for unexpected repairs due to wear, age, or other circumstances beyond your control. Things like head gasket replacements, electrical system repairs, and engine work can be incredibly expensive and a high-quality extended car warranty can make these repair costs much more manageable.

Traditional car insurance coverage pays for repairs due to an accident or incident on the road and also protects you from liability should you hit someone else’s car. Car maintenance insurance, though, is specifically for the upkeep and scheduled procedures that your car needs in order to prevent major repairs.

What Does Car Maintenance Insurance Cover?

The specific procedures that a car maintenance insurance policy covers will change depending on the provider and the plan you choose. For the most part, though, you can count on a car maintenance insurance plan to cover standard procedures that your vehicle needs to keep running smoothly.

Things like oil changes, tire rotations, brake fluid flushes, and transmission fluid changes are all crucial parts of automotive upkeep, and a good car maintenance insurance plan will include them. Many plans, though, will have some exclusions. Items that are specifically meant to wear out, such as brake pads or certain repairs, might not be included, so it is a good idea to know what your plan covers.

Benefits of Car Maintenance Insurance

One of the main benefits of a car maintenance insurance plan for your vehicle is a flat, predictable cost for your vehicle upkeep. Every car has different needs and will have a different cost for maintenance on a year-to-year basis.

Plus, with the price of labor and materials constantly in flux, it can be difficult to accurately predict how much you can expect to spend on vehicle upkeep every year. With car maintenance insurance, though, you can know exactly how much it will cost for your scheduled upkeep so you can plan accordingly.

A car maintenance insurance plan can also help you stay on top of your routine maintenance. Everyone has busy schedules these days, and it can be hard to keep track of all the different maintenance appointments and milestones you need to pay attention to. With a maintenance insurance plan in place, though, you can easily track your vehicle’s upkeep and know that there will be money available to get everything done on time.

Is Car Maintenance Insurance a Smart Investment?

Whether or not car maintenance insurance is a good investment for you will depend on many different factors. One of the most important is your individual habits. If you are someone who puts a lot of miles on your vehicle or depends on it to get to and from work or school, maintenance is incredibly important. Skipping an oil change could lead to major engine issues, so doing everything you can to keep up with maintenance is crucial. In these cases, having a car maintenance insurance plan can be incredibly helpful.

You may also benefit from car maintenance insurance if you have an older vehicle that requires a lot of care. The older a vehicle gets, the more likely it will be to need consistent upkeep and proper maintenance. If your vehicle has quite a few miles on the odometer, a plan that ensures you can get the upkeep you need will help prevent major repairs and unexpected bills.

Endurance Auto Protection for Comprehensive Vehicle Coverage

Choosing the right vehicle protection plan for yourself and your car is incredibly important. While maintenance is essential, having complete protection can give you the peace of mind you need whenever you are out on the road. An extended warranty, which is more accurately called a vehicle service contract (VSC), is your best option if you want help paying for auto repairs and mechanical failures as soon as they come up. Once your vehicle’s factory warranty or manufacturer’s warranty is over, you are solely responsible for any automotive issues, and having a VSC in place can be a major weight off your shoulders.

Endurance offers comprehensive coverage for vehicles of all kinds, whether you have an older high-mileage car or a top-notch luxury or exotic vehicle. Plus, Endurance plans come in many different tiers with everything from the most basic powertrain coverage to complete exclusionary plans. The Advantage plan even comes with up to $3,500 in maintenance coverage so you can stay on top of your upkeep while protecting yourself from costly repairs and unexpected breakdowns.

Car Maintenance Insurance FAQs

What is the difference between car maintenance insurance and an extended warranty?

An extended warranty or auto protection plan will help you pay for repairs and breakdowns as they occur. Car maintenance insurance helps you pay for the procedures that prevent breakdowns from happening in the first place. Endurance offers plans with both kinds of coverage so you can rest easy no matter what.

Does car maintenance insurance cover all routine services?

For the most part, car maintenance insurance covers things like oil changes and tire rotations. Wear-and-tear items, though, such as windshield wipers or brake pads, may not be included in your type of coverage.

Can I use my preferred mechanic with car maintenance insurance?

Your options for repair shops or dealerships will depend on your car maintenance insurance provider. Most of the time, providers will only work with certified shops to ensure a smooth claims process. For instance, Endurance partners with RepairPal to offer a network of over 3,500 ASE-certified mechanics and repair shops for customers to utilize nationwide.

Is car maintenance insurance worth it for older vehicles?

Car maintenance gets more important as your vehicle ages. For older, high-mileage cars, having maintenance insurance is a great way to be sure that you can keep your older vehicle running for as long as possible. Some plans may have a limit on the number of miles or the age of a vehicle, though, so it is best to know what your plan will and will not cover.

Get the Best Overall Coverage for Your Vehicle With Endurance

Having complete protection for your car is the best way to feel confident whenever you are out on the road. With an Endurance protection plan, you can be sure that no matter what happens, you will be able to keep your vehicle in great condition. Endurance offers a wide range of plans for cars and drivers of all kinds. Endurance even covers vehicles that other providers won’t, such as Canadian Gray Market cars, vehicles used for rideshare or delivery, and cars with a rebuilt or salvage title.

Every Endurance customer also gets access to a variety of standard perks and benefits. These include things like 24/7 roadside assistance, towing, rental car coverage, and trip interruption protection. Plus, for a small activation fee, you can get Endurance’s Elite Benefits, which comes with extra perks like tire repairs, key fob replacement, and up to $1,000 in total loss coverage so you can feel safe and secure at all times.*

If you are ready to get the ultimate protection for your car, get in touch with an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 to get a FREE quote. You can also head over to the online store for an instant price preview that will help you make the right choice.

For more auto expert resources, be sure to check out the Endurance Warranty blog. There, you will find more helpful tips and tricks, provider comparisons, mechanical breakdown insurance information for California drivers, frequently asked questions, and much, much more.