Does car insurance cover a hydrolocked engine?
In many cases, car insurance will not cover hydrolocked engines, unless they are caused by an accident or a natural disaster. Comprehensive coverage, mechanical breakdown insurance, or a vehicle warranty may be your best options for hydrolocked engine coverage. Car insurance for hydrolocked engines may be available from major car insurance companies, such as GEICO.
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Written by
D. Gilson, PhD
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Reviewed by
Leslie Kasperowicz
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UPDATED: Sep 14, 2021
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- In most cases, car insurance will not cover a hydrolocked engine
- Comprehensive coverage may cover a hydrolocked engine if it is caused by something out of the owner’s control, such as a natural disaster
- Fixing a hydrolocked engine can cost between $3,000 and $8,000
If your car has been damaged by water to the extent that it has caused a hydrolocked engine, you may be wondering, “Does car insurance cover a hydrolocked engine?”
The answer to this question will depend on what type of coverage you have. Read more below to find out how auto insurance may cover a hydrolocked engine.
Enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to find an affordable car insurance policy for hydrolocked engines.
Table of Contents
Does car insurance cover a hydrolocked engine?
In most cases, car insurance does not cover a hydrolocked engine. Many car insurance policies will only cover water damage to your engine if it is related to an accident, which means an accident would likely have to cause you to drive into a body of water.
However, there are some instances in which a car insurance policy or other coverage would pay for the repairs. If you have special coverage for mechanical breakdown or specifically for water damage, or if you have a warranty on your car, one of these may cover a hydrolocked engine.
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What is a hydrolocked engine?
The term ‘hydrolock’ stands for hydrostatic lock. This refers to when water gets into an engine and prevents the internal combustion process.
Typically, the internal combustion process includes the compression of air, but when water gets into the engine, internal combustion can not occur because water cannot be compressed the same way that air can. Since internal combustion can’t occur, the engine can seize.
How much does it cost to fix a hydrolocked engine?
Having a hydrolocked engine fixed can be expensive. A labor-intensive repair could cost between $3,000 and $8,000.
The cost of fixing a hydrolocked engine can be affected by a few different factors, such as:
- How much water is in the engine
- How long the vehicle sat with the water damage
- Whether the engine attempting to turn over caused further damage
There are just examples, and other factors could impact the cost of fixing a hydrolocked engine in your area. Always compare quotes and research your car insurance policy before choosing where to get repairs.
Is car water damage covered by insurance?
Some car insurance policies may cover water damage to your vehicle, including a hydrolocked engine and other types of mechanical, electrical, or interior repairs.
A comprehensive coverage policy is most likely to cover water damage. However, this may only be true if the water damage is caused by an accident or something out of your control, such as a flood or other natural disaster.
Two other options may include an extended warranty or mechanical breakdown insurance.
A warranty may be included with your purchase of a vehicle, or you may be able to purchase one separately. MBI is typically not included in a basic car insurance policy, so you will have to pay extra.
MBI insurance may be cheaper than an extended warranty, but it may not be available for all cars. You should compare car insurance rates and discuss your options with different providers to make sure they will cover engine repairs.
Does GEICO cover hydrolock? GEICO is a popular car insurance company, but its basic car insurance coverage may not cover a hydrolocked engine. If you buy a GEICO MBI policy, you are more likely to get coverage for a hydrolocked engine and other water damage.
If you need help finding car insurance that will cover a hydrolocked engine or other water damage, enter your ZIP code into our free car insurance quotes comparison tool below.