Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Fire?

Yes—engine fires are typically covered if you carry comprehensive coverage, and they can also be covered under collision if the fire directly results from a crash. Liability insurance alone won’t pay to repair your car after an engine fire. Coverage, deductibles, and exclusions vary by policy and state, so review your declarations page and speak with your insurer for specifics.

How Coverage Typically Works

Most personal auto policies treat fire as a covered peril under comprehensive coverage, which protects against non-collision events like fire, theft, vandalism, hail, or falling objects. If a fire happens because of a crash, the loss can fall under collision. Other parts of your policy may help with injuries or temporary transportation.

The list below outlines which parts of a standard policy may respond to an engine fire and how.

• Comprehensive coverage: Pays for fire damage (including engine fires) minus your deductible, up to your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV). Cause can be electrical, fuel-system, or other accidental fire sources.
• Collision coverage: Applies if the fire stems from a covered collision (for example, a crash ruptures a fuel line and the engine bay ignites). Deductible applies.
• Liability coverage: Does not pay for your car’s damage; it pays others if you’re at fault for injuries or property damage.
• Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP): May cover medical costs for you and passengers regardless of fault, subject to state rules and policy terms.
• Rental reimbursement: Optional add-on that can pay for a rental car while your vehicle is repaired or if it’s a total loss after a covered fire.
• Roadside/towing: Optional add-on that can pay for towing from the scene after the fire is extinguished.
• Gap/loan-lease payoff: If the car is totaled and you owe more than ACV, gap coverage can pay the difference (subject to limits).
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage: Generally not relevant unless another driver’s covered crash caused the fire and they lack adequate insurance; state-specific rules apply.

In practical terms, comprehensive is the key coverage for engine fires. If you don’t carry it, you’re likely paying out of pocket unless another at-fault party’s insurance is responsible.

Common Exclusions and Gray Areas

While fires are usually covered, certain circumstances can limit or void coverage. Understanding these limits helps you avoid unpleasant surprises at claim time.

The following points highlight situations where coverage may be limited or denied.

• Intentional acts/fraud: Any deliberate act to cause a fire or misrepresent facts is excluded and can carry legal penalties.
• Racing or track use: Many policies exclude damage occurring during organized racing or on a track.
• Commercial use without endorsement: Rideshare/delivery or business use may be excluded unless you have the proper endorsement or commercial policy. App-based work often requires special coverage; platform policies may carry high deductibles and conditions.
• Mechanical breakdown vs. fire damage: Mechanical failure itself isn’t covered—but resulting fire damage usually is. Insurers may not pay to replace a worn-out part that failed absent fire damage.
• Aftermarket modifications: Unreported or non-OEM modifications may not be fully covered unless you added custom parts/equipment coverage.
• Personal belongings in the car: Auto policies typically exclude personal property; homeowners or renters insurance may cover items destroyed by the fire, subject to their deductibles and limits.
• War, nuclear hazard, government seizure: Standard catastrophic exclusions apply.

If any of these apply, your claim might still be partially payable—especially where fire damage is distinct from excluded mechanical wear—but expect closer investigation and documentation requests.

What To Do After an Engine Fire

Safety comes first. Once everyone is safe and the fire is out, your actions can help protect your claim and speed up repairs or settlement.

1. Get to safety and call 911. Do not open the hood if flames are present—introducing oxygen can intensify the fire.
2. Do not restart or drive the vehicle. Further damage can complicate coverage and safety.
3. Document the scene. Take photos/video of the engine bay, cabin, vehicle position, and any contributing factors (warning lights, debris, prior crash).
4. Request official reports. Obtain the fire department/police incident number if they respond.
5. Notify your insurer promptly. Provide your policy number, location, and description. Ask whether comprehensive or collision will apply.
6. Preserve evidence. Keep receipts for recent repairs; don’t discard parts. This can aid cause determination and potential subrogation (e.g., against a faulty part manufacturer).
7. Arrange towing. Use your insurer’s preferred network if you have roadside coverage; otherwise, choose a reputable tow to a secure facility.
8. Ask about rental and total loss process. Confirm rental coverage and how ACV will be calculated if the car is totaled.

Following these steps supports a smoother claim and helps your insurer determine cause and coverage more quickly.

Costs, Deductibles, and Claims Impact

Engine fire claims often involve significant costs due to heat damage, wiring harness replacement, and potential smoke contamination.

Here are practical cost and impact considerations you should anticipate.

• Deductible: Comprehensive or collision deductibles typically range from $250 to $1,000 or more; platform policies for rideshare may impose a $2,500 deductible for physical damage.
• Actual Cash Value (ACV): If repair costs approach or exceed a threshold (varies by state and insurer), the vehicle is declared a total loss and settled at ACV minus deductible.
• Premium impact: Filing a comprehensive claim can raise premiums, but increases are often smaller than for at-fault collision claims. The effect varies by insurer and state.
• EVs and hybrids: High-voltage battery damage and thermal events can push repairs into total loss territory. Specialized handling and inspections may be required.
• OEM vs. aftermarket parts: Your policy and any OEM parts endorsement influence what parts are used in repairs.
• Salvage title: Totaled vehicles that are retained and rebuilt will carry a salvage/rebuilt title per state rules, affecting resale and insurability.

Discuss these items with your adjuster early to set expectations around settlement timelines, valuation, and repair choices.

Tips to Reduce Risk and Strengthen Your Position

Prevention and documentation can lower the chance of an engine fire and improve the outcome if a claim occurs.

Use the checklist below to manage risk and be ready for a claim.

• Address fuel and oil leaks promptly; replace brittle hoses and worn belts.
• Fix electrical issues (burnt smells, flickering lights, blown fuses) without delay.
• Keep the engine bay clean of debris; avoid aftermarket wiring unless professionally installed.
• Follow recall notices—especially for fuel systems, batteries, and charging components on EVs/hybrids.
• Maintain service records and keep receipts—they help validate condition and value.
• Consider comprehensive, rental reimbursement, roadside, and gap coverage if your budget allows.
• If you drive for rideshare/delivery, add the proper endorsement or commercial coverage to avoid gaps.

These steps won’t guarantee coverage decisions, but they reduce hazards and provide evidence that can speed up claims and protect value.

Key Edge Cases and FAQs

Some scenarios create special coverage questions. These quick answers can guide you.

The following points address common edge cases drivers ask about.

• Leased or financed cars: Your comprehensive claim still applies; the payout goes to the lienholder first. Gap coverage is valuable if ACV is below your loan/lease balance.
• Manufacturer defect: Your insurer may pay first and then pursue the manufacturer (subrogation). Warranty processes can run in parallel.
• Rideshare/delivery: Personal policies often exclude app-on periods without an endorsement. Platform-provided physical damage coverage is usually contingent on you carrying comp/collision and comes with high deductibles.
• Personal items burned in the car: Claim under homeowners or renters insurance (off-premises personal property coverage), subject to that policy’s deductible and limits.
• Partial vs. total loss: Even “small” fires can cause extensive wiring and computer damage. Expect thorough tear-down before a final estimate.

If your situation doesn’t fit these examples, ask your agent or claims rep to walk you through your policy’s specific language and endorsements.

Bottom Line

Engine fires are generally covered if you have comprehensive coverage—and collision can apply when a crash causes the fire. Exclusions exist for intentional acts, certain uses, and non-covered mechanical breakdowns, but resulting fire damage is usually within scope. Pair the right coverages with sound maintenance and documentation to protect your finances.

Summary

Engine fire damage to your own vehicle is usually covered under comprehensive coverage, and may fall under collision if triggered by a crash. Liability alone won’t fix your car. Optional coverages like rental reimbursement, roadside, and gap can soften the financial hit. Watch for exclusions around commercial use, racing, and intentional acts, and remember that personal belongings are typically covered by homeowners or renters policies. After a fire, prioritize safety, document thoroughly, and contact your insurer promptly to start the claim.

Does car insurance cover if your engine blows?

No, standard auto insurance does not cover engine failure because it is considered a mechanical breakdown, not a covered incident like a collision or theft. You might have coverage for an engine that blows due to an accident under your comprehensive or collision coverage, but not for a mechanical failure. To cover mechanical issues, you may need a mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) add-on, a vehicle warranty, or a powertrain warranty. 
When an engine might be covered:

• Accident-Related Damage: Opens in new tabIf your engine blows because your car was in a collision, hit a tree branch, or was involved in another covered accident, your collision or comprehensive coverage may apply. 
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI): Opens in new tabSome insurers offer MBI as a separate policy or add-on to cover mechanical failures, similar to a warranty. 
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: Opens in new tabA new or even used car may still have a manufacturer’s warranty (e.g., a powertrain warranty or bumper-to-bumper warranty) that covers engine failure due to defects. 
• Extended Warranty: Opens in new tabIf you purchased an extended warranty when buying your car, it might cover the cost of repairs for engine failure. 

When an engine is likely not covered: 

• Wear and Tear: Standard insurance doesn’t cover mechanical problems that happen over time from regular use.
• Lack of Maintenance: If the engine fails because of negligence, such as not performing regular oil changes, the insurance company will likely deny the claim.
• Manufacturer Defects: An engine failure due to a known manufacturing defect would fall under warranty claims, not insurance.

Will insurance pay for car fire?

“So if you have comprehensive coverage on your car, then your loss would be covered under your auto policy.”

What insurance would cover your car if your car catches fire?

Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive Coverage:
Comprehensive coverage, also known as “other than collision” coverage, protects your vehicle from damages caused by non-collision events. This includes incidents such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters, and yes, car fires.

Which type of fire is typically not covered by insurance?

Intentional or Suspicious Fires – If the insurer claims arson, they may deny your claim, even without proof. Negligence or Poor Maintenance – If they argue that faulty wiring or improper maintenance contributed to the fire, they may deny coverage.