What is Engine Protection Cover in Auto Insurance?

GarageEngine protection cover is a special type of car insurance coverage that provides coverage for your car’s engine.

There are several situations that can affect your car’s engine, but flood is the main culprit to this. Basically, your insurance coverage may not have protection for this type of damage, but you can include it to your comprehensive car coverage. This is not compulsory but it can come in handy in certain situations where your car insurance does not cover your car’s engine.
What is included in engine protection Add-on?

As stated earlier, engine protection cover provides compensation or indemnity if your engine is damaged as a result of some stated causes in the policy. It compensates for damages if your car’s engines and its parts are damaged as a result of natural disaster or accidents. Generally, the policy provides cover in case of;

• Hydrostatic lock as a result of starting a wet engine
• Gear box damage
• Damages or engine knock because of water depression
• Engine damage caused by leakage of lubricants
• Damage caused by flooding

However, the level of coverage for this type of car insurance policy at General Insurance is different from one company to the other. So, it’s important to verify what is actually covered by the particular company before undertaking the coverage.

The cost of engine protection cover
Usually, most engine protection policies provide protection for about 2% of the present market value of the car in question. Again, this may vary slightly depending on the insurance company.

Importance of engine protection cover
Your car’s engine can be exposed to different damages as it moves in waterlogged areas and in rainy seasons. It can be adversely affected if water soaks some vital parts of the engine. You cannot avoid all these situations since you don’t have the full knowledge when it’s going to rain or when water may clog the engine. And the cost of engine repairs can take out a huge chunk from your savings to a large extent.

To avoid making unprepared expenses, you can take up an insurance cover to protect your engine. Most car insurance policies may not provide cover for your car’s engine. That’s why it’s important to have an additional cover to protect your car’s engine and insure it for damages.

Whenever there is a problem with your engine or when it damages completely, the insurance company will take up all the expenses for repairs or replacement. Although you’ll need to pay some amount as cost for the insurance, the amount is a very small percentage compared to what you will pay from your own pocket in case of damage.

What may not be covered?
There are certain conditions or situations where engine protection cover may not provide protection. These exceptions include;

Validity: The engine cover may not provide protection when you make claims on many situations. There are certain numbers of times you can make claims within the coverage period.

Consequential damage: There are certain causes of damage the car insurance company will not provide cover for. If the engine damages as a result of other causes not related to accidents or flood, the insurer may not provide indemnity. This is why it’s important to read through the policy and understand what is covered and what isn’t before taking up the policy.

Age of the car: There is a limitation to the type of engine cover available, based on the age of the car. Vehicles that are older than 5 years may not be covered under the policy, because they are considered too risky and more prone to problems.

Force start: If you try starting your car when the engine is soaked in water, it might knock the engine. In this situation, the insurance company will see this as intentionally inflicted. There might not be any compensation for such damage.

Final Words
Engine protection may not be a compulsory car insurance coverage, but it’s a very important add-on to your policy. It can save you a lot of cash you would have spent on engine damage or replacement. But before adding this to your car policy, try and understand the terms and conditions of the particular coverage you are considering. This will make sure you get the best deal.

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