Keeping your car in good shape is a big responsibility, and every car owner knows how tough it can be to stay on top of repairs and get them done as soon as they come up. Not only can it be hard to find the time, but often, the expense of a repair can be simply too much to take care of right away. That’s why it is so important to have a protection plan in place to help you pay for repairs and keep your vehicle in good working order no matter what happens out on the road.

When you think about a vehicle protection plan, you usually think about extended warranties, which can be purchased as a manufacturer’s warranty, a dealership warranty, or a third-party provider plan. If you live in California, though, extended warranties are not available, and you will have to consider an alternative to the traditional methods of protecting your used car. Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) is very similar to an extended car warranty but is regulated by the auto insurance industry, making it available to drivers everywhere.

Just like with an extended warranty, you can customize your MBI coverage and get the protection you need for your specific car and driving habits. If you are going to make the most of your mechanical breakdown insurance coverage, you should have a good idea of what is available and how you can enhance your coverage to suit your needs. By knowing which add-ons you can get and how they can give you the peace of mind you need, you can drive with confidence no matter what happens to your vehicle.

Understanding the Basics of MBI

Just like with an extended warranty or vehicle service contract, MBI coverage can protect different vehicle components and areas of the car. Standard MBI policies will include protection for everything from the most basic, essential parts that keep the car running to the smaller components that control the electronics and other convenience features. Having a good understanding of what should be covered will help you make the right choice.

First and foremost, you should make sure that your MBI policy includes coverage for the powertrain components. The powertrain consists of essential parts like the engine block, transmission, and drivetrain. It should also include coverage for the suspension and steering. Any problem with these systems will be devastating for your vehicle and will need to be repaired right away. Plus, they are often the most expensive to fix, so having coverage is crucial.

A good MBI plan will also protect the electronics, cooling, and fuel systems. Your car’s powertrain relies on these systems to run properly, and any problem with them will eventually cause issues with the most crucial components. With an MBI plan that covers these areas, you can be sure that your vehicle will run smoothly for as long as possible.

The Importance of Customizing Your MBI Policy

When choosing a mechanical breakdown insurance policy for your vehicle, you want to make sure that you can customize it to meet your specific needs and get comprehensive coverage. Every car has its own set of problems that are likely to occur down the line, so choosing an MBI plan that covers your expected issues can be incredibly beneficial.

When you tailor your MBI coverage to meet your needs, you can be sure that when an issue arises with your vehicle, it will be covered, and you can get it fixed as soon as possible. Having peace of mind on the road can make driving easier and more fun and help you relax, knowing that your policy will cover anything that goes wrong.

When your mechanical breakdown coverage is designed to meet your specific needs, you can also end up saving a lot of money in the long run. There is no need to pay for coverage that you are not likely to need in the future or to have mechanical failures covered in your plan that your vehicle simply does not have. If, for example, your car doesn’t have an infotainment system, you shouldn’t be paying for MBI that includes coverage for those parts.

Optional Add-Ons for Enhanced MBI Coverage

In addition to the standard coverage you can get with an MBI plan from Endurance, there are other optional add-ons that can give you even more protection. While it can be expensive when a breakdown occurs on the road, it can also be incredibly stressful. Having some extra add-ons that can give you peace of mind will help you have confidence whenever you are behind the wheel.

These add-ons include:

• Rental Car Reimbursement – Rental car reimbursement will help you pay for replacement transportation when your car is in the shop getting repaired. With this add-on, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t be stranded if you have to wait for a part to be shipped or for an appointment at the repair facility.
• Towing Reimbursement – When your car breaks down, working out how you are going to get it to the shop can be stressful. With towing reimbursement added to your MBI, you can focus on getting your vehicle repaired instead of paying to get it off the side of the road or out of your driveway.
• Trip Interruption Coverage – If you are on a road trip or taking your car on a long drive, some expenses can’t be refunded if your trip is cut short. With trip interruption coverage, though, you can get reimbursed for things like lodging or even meal expenses, so you don’t end up throwing money away just because your car broke down.

Coverage Enhancements: Beyond the Basics

Endurance also offers a range of coverage enhancements that you can get to cover specific elements of your car or particular needs you might have. Some of the available enhancements include:

• Covered Part Cause of Loss – This enhancement will map out specific circumstances that will be covered. This is ideal if you live in an area where certain issues are common or have a car that is known for particular problems.
• Emissions Coverage – This is essential for vehicles in California, where there are strict emissions laws and required emissions equipment that can be incredibly expensive to replace.
• Business Use Option – If you use your vehicle for commercial purposes or as a part of your business, it is important that it is covered. This enhancement will ensure that you can get your commercial vehicle repaired and avoid any unnecessary downtime.
• Lift Kit / Oversized Tires – Anyone who has a lift kit or large, oversized tires knows how important it is to protect these expensive components. Including them in your MBI policy can help you save a lot of money if an issue arises with them.
• Snow Plow Option – For those who live in areas with extreme weather, having snow plow coverage is crucial. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a snowed-in home because of an issue with your plow.

Customizing Your MBI Policy with Endurance

When you get an MBI policy with Endurance, you have a wide range of customization options. The most important level of customization you can do is choosing the right plan for your particular needs. Endurance MBI comes in three different tiers: Standard, Premium, and Elite Plus:

• The Standard plan covers the most basic, essential components, such as the powertrain, transmission, steering, and brakes.
• Premium comes with coverage for the fuel delivery and cooling systems.
• While the Elite Plus plan includes protection for nearly every component of the vehicle with bumper-to-bumper coverage.

Picking the one that suits your needs best will help you get the ultimate protection for your car and your driving habits.

Endurance MBI also comes with all the different enhancements and add-ons laid out above. Things like emissions coverage, business use coverage, and covered part cause of loss are all available, as are the extras like towing reimbursement, rental car coverage, and trip interruption protection. Including the add-ons that will serve you best will help you get the most helpful coverage possible.

When you get your MBI coverage from Endurance, you also get the benefit of dealing with an award-winning customer service team. Endurance’s team has been routinely praised in over 7,000 reviews on Trustpilot, with many customers being thrilled with the service they have received, especially when it comes to solving problems and getting the car repairs they need when they need them. When your car breaks down, you want to be sure that your protection plan provider has your best interest at heart, and that is what Endurance has become known for over the years.

How to Choose the Right Add-Ons and Enhancements

Choosing the right add-ons and enhancements for your MBI coverage will make all the difference when the time comes to use your protection plan. When picking out your extras, the first thing you should do is think about your specific needs and know what they might be in the future. This should include researching your vehicle and knowing what problems are the most common with your specific make, model, and year. You should also know what kind of driving you do and how you tend to use your car, as well as how that might change as time goes on.

You should also compare the different add-ons and enhancements to see which ones are going to be the most useful to you and your vehicle. Not every add-on will be right for you and your particular circumstances. For example, if you don’t live in an area that gets snow, you most likely won’t need to include the Snowplow Option. If you want to get the best advice for picking out your enhancements, talk to the friendly and knowledgeable customer service team at Endurance to get guidance on what will serve you best over the years.

MBI Policy FAQs

What is the benefit of adding rental car reimbursement to my MBI policy?

Should your vehicle break down, you may end up having to wait for a part to arrive or to get an appointment at the repair shop. With rental car reimbursement, you can get help paying for alternative transportation so your life won’t be interrupted.

How does roadside assistance work with an MBI policy?

Depending on your provider, you can get roadside assistance by calling a towing provider that works with your MBI company. If you have towing reimbursement, you can also get help paying for your tow and rest easy knowing that you will be taken care of.

Can I add coverage for high-tech components to my MBI policy?

Endurance MBI coverage can include enhanced electrical protection and a luxury package. These coverage areas will most likely include your vehicle’s high-tech components and help you replace or repair them if they fail.

What is the typical cost of key fob replacement coverage?

The repair cost of a covered key fob replacement will depend heavily on the type of vehicle you have with your particular provider. Most of the time, though, you can expect it to cost anywhere between $30 and $150 per year, plus or minus your deductible, but it is a good idea to check with your provider before making a decision.

Get the Best MBI Coverage With Endurance

Getting the best MBI coverage for your vehicle can be a great way to have confidence when you are behind the wheel and protect yourself from expensive repair bills. Endurance offers comprehensive mechanical breakdown insurance with a variety of different plans and add-ons to help you customize your protection plan and get a policy that is ideal for your car and your driving needs.

In addition to complete protection, Endurance MBI coverage can also include extra perks and benefits like trip interruption protection, rental car reimbursement, and towing coverage. Whatever you need to give yourself the peace of mind you deserve on the road, we will help you find the plan that offers it.

Take advantage of our 30-day money-back guarantee and incredible coverage options. Contact an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 for a FREE quote. You can also shop online to see your price right away.