Will my insurance company cover a seized engine?

A few weeks ago I cracked my oil pan which resulted in major engine damage. I initially called my insurance company about the cracked oil pan and they said it would be covered under 'collision.' They then told me it wouldn't be worth paying the $500 deductible when the cost to fix it would be $300. After getting the oil pan replaced, it was discovered that there was also major engine damage resulting in the car needing a new engine. I still owe $9000 on the car and have full coverage. I can't sell it without a working engine. So, I'm wondering if my insurance will cover the cost for a new engine ($3000 or so) or not. Any help would be greatful. Thank you.

bostonianinmo

If it can be proven that whatever cracked your oil pan also damaged the engine the claim would be valid.

However, if you continued to operate the vehicle with the cracked oil pan then it would NOT be covered. Whenever your car is damaged in an accident, you have a legal duty to protect it against further damage. Continuing to drive a car with a cracked oil pan and therefore without oil would exclude any resulting damage from the claim.

Accidental damage or damage resulting from poor maintenance or abuse is not covered under any vehicle warranty so you don't have any claim there either.

Sorry, but you're going to have to take care of the engine out of your own pocket. Check with local wreaking yards and see what a good used engine will cost you. Most can arrange installation and will provide some sort of warranty. The cost is typically less than half the cost of a new engine.

maamu

All you can do is ask the insurance company. You may want to supply an affidavit from the mechanic that the damage was a direct result of the oil pan damage. It is a good thing you did report the damaged oil pan--that is in your favor.

But honestly, I would say it would not be covered (if you are talking about regular auto insurance), but I may be wrong. Call them Monday.

FÃ¶rtyTwÃ¶

If they TOLD you , naw, dont bother, they win.
If you have a letter, good, but if they told you, get an attorney

igotbank2

prob. not, thay most likely be covered under a warranty, insurance mostlikely won't touch it. don't you have a powertrain warranty?

emmafene

they should .

Tim W

Assuming the oil pan was damaged in a true accident and the engine damage occured after the time your oil pan was cracked you should be covered under your insurance policy. Although engine and driveline components are typically covered under warranty, your case should be well documented and understood to be a result of an accident which would be covered by most insurance companies. Contact your insurance agent and they may want to call the service center who installed your oil pan for an estimate for damages. Just be honest and let them know what happened.

Fred C

I don't see how the oil pan would have been covered in the first place. How do you have a collision with the engine and not the rest of the car, anyway?

nanabooboo

not insurance, get out your warranty papers and hope they haven't expired.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: