You’re on your way to work one morning and your check engine light comes on. Bummer! You find out there’s an issue with your transmission and it will cost you $1,500 to fix it. If only there were a type of auto insurance that could help you pay for costly out-of-pocket repairs that aren’t related to an accident. Enter Mechanical Breakdown Protection.
What is Mechanical Breakdown Protection?
Mechanical Breakdown Protection (MBP), powered by Route 66, is an optional coverage for your vehicle that covers the costs of most major vehicle repairs such as transmission, engine, brakes, and more. MBP plans are based on your vehicle’s year and mileage, and they range from 3-8 years of coverage.
MBP is similar to an extended warranty purchased at a dealership, however, more vehicle repairs may be covered by MBP. Another difference is that you can purchase MBP at any time, either when you buy your vehicle or any time after. It might also be easier to find a repair shop if you don’t live near the dealership that provided the extended warranty; MBP allows for your choice of certified shop, as you’ll see below.
With MBP, you take your vehicle to the mechanic and your MBP rep takes care of the rest. But what are the advantages, what’s covered, and is it really worth it?
Mechanical Breakdown Protection, powered by Route 66, has great advantages.
This new vehicle coverage has the member in mind to make vehicle repair easy and hassle-free.
- 24/7/365 Emergency Roadside Assistance: Towing, jumpstart service, lock out service, trip interruption, fuel delivery, flat tire assistance, minor adjustments.
- Rental Car Allowance: The vehicle needs to be in shop for at least 4 hours to qualify. Paid directly from Route 66 to the mechanic.
- Trip Interruption: If a covered vehicle is in need of repairs more than 100 miles away from home and must be left overnight, Route 66 will reimburse up to $125/night for 3 nights maximum or $375 to help subsidize the cost of hotel/meals in a frustrating time.
- Battery Coverage: Battery replacement or repair is covered on some plans.
- Total Loss Refund: If a vehicle is totaled, Route 66 will refund the entire MBP cost, regardless of whether there were any claims during the plan. Add this option at an additional cost.
- Zero Dollar Deductible: All plans have this option. Pay nothing out-of-pocket for covered repairs.
- Quick, Direct Payment from Route 66 to the Mechanic: Simply contact or have a representative of the repair facility contact Route 66 before any work is performed by calling the Claims Department at 800.808.0828 or by emailing claims@route66warranty.com. Route 66 pays for the repairs over the phone with a credit card so the work can start immediately.
- Transferable: If a covered vehicle is sold, the MBP, powered by Route 66, would transfer over at an additional cost.
- Nationwide Coverage: Any Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified shop in the United States and Canada. Find a nearby shop.
Seems pretty simple, right? Your vehicle needs repairs (remember the check engine light?), you find a local ASE mechanic, the mechanic calls Route 66 directly to explain the needed repairs, Route 66 pays for the repairs over the phone with a $0 deductible, and you simply wait for the call that your vehicle is ready! You even have rental car allowance, if needed. It’s so easy! But what’s really covered?
What’s covered under MBP.
In general, MBP covers major vehicle systems and does not cover normal maintenance. You’ll still need to pay for your own wiper fluid and oil changes, but you won’t need to shell out the cash for engine repairs.
MBP coverage includes, but is not limited to:
- Engine
- Drive axle assembly
- Automatic and standard transmission
- Brakes
- Seals and gaskets
- Fuel delivery
- Exhaust
- Power system
- Steering
- Some plans include air conditioning and electronics
MBP coverage excludes, but is not limited to:
- Tires, wheels, struts
- Brake shoes or pads
- Rotors, drums, belts, hoses
- Filters
- Fluids, lubricants
- Clutch, pressure plate
Is Mechanical Breakdown Protection really worth it?
Here’s a graphic of average costs for vehicle repairs. Without MBP, you’d be paying for these repairs out-of-pocket. And unlike some things that can be put off for a bit (how long has that low washer fluid light been on?), if your transmission or engine isn’t working properly, you cannot continue to drive your car. And let’s face it, you need your car to get to work, take your kids to school, or get curbside pickup at your favorite restaurant.
The great thing about Mechanical Breakdown Protection, powered by Route 66, now offered at Advia, is that you can add it to your new or used Auto or Recreational Loan at closing. That way, it will be added into the balance of the loan and included in your monthly payment – no out-of-pocket cost for you. However, if you have your vehicle loan elsewhere or already got your vehicle loan from Advia and want to add MBP now, you can still purchase MBP on its own.
The average cost of MBP is about $2,000. But when you look at the image above and see that a new engine could cost $4,823 or a new transmission could cost $2,815, MBP seems like a pretty smart choice.
According to thebalance.com’s, “How Much Does Routine Car Maintenance Cost?”, “A new car’s routine maintenance and repairs could cost an average of $1,186 each year.” While this number may include items not covered by MBP, such as oil changes, it is still a pretty shocking number. MBP is there to cover mechanical breakdowns and maintenance repairs so you don’t have to pay.
Like the idea of adding Mechanical Breakdown Protection to a new Auto or Recreational Loan?
Advia makes it easy to find your next vehicle, get pre-approved, and purchase your new vehicle! Use our NEW shopping tool, AutoSMART, to customize your vehicle and search the inventory of our local Dealer Partners. Save money by finding a great deal from the comfort of your home! Plus, get pre-approved online for an Auto Loan to make the process even smoother.
Start Your Search with AutoSMART.
Apply Online for an Auto Loan.
Mechanical Breakdown Protection, powered by Route 66, is optional and will not affect your application for credit or the terms of any credit agreement you have with us. Certain eligibility requirements, conditions, and exclusions may apply.