Is engine protection cover needed for a 5-year-old car

Posted on: Feb 27, 2025 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Is engine protection cover needed for a 5-year-old car

Engine Protec Tion Cover For 5- Year- Old Car

Driving an older car means several risks. Car owners should consider getting add-ons because they impact the repair costs significantly. A major question to ask in such situations is whether an engine protection cover is necessary for a 5-year old car.

As the car ages, the risk of damage due to regular wear and tear increases. Your standard car insurance policy doesn't cover damages due to water ingress or oil leakages. For this reason, you should consider getting engine protection cover. Understanding what engine protection cover is in car insurance can help to analyse if this add-on is worth adding. Let's explore if the engine protection add-on is the right choice for a 5-year old car.

What is engine protection cover in car insurance?

If you want to learn what is engine protection in insurance, it is a standard add-on to the policy. A comprehensive car insurance plan protects the car from damages in case of an accident, theft or natural calamities, but does not cover damages to the car’s engine due to occasions like waterlogging, oil leakage and mechanical breakdown. Here is the engine protection cover’s entry. It in particular protects the heart of your car, the engine.

To car owners, how car insurance is protective of the engine needs to be understood. This cover so makes sure that if something goes wrong with your car’s engine, then the repair or replacement costs are covered, offering peace of mind in situations where engine damage might not be covered under a regular policy.

Key Benefits of Engine Protection Cover

If you’re worried about the cost of engine repairs, then adding an engine protection cover to your car insurance policy can bring some value. Here are some of the main advantages:

1. Coverage Against Water Damage

Water getting into the engine is serious stuff, and even if you live in a place without flooding on the mind, running water into your engine can do serious damage, resulting in what is known as hydrostatic lock, where the engine seizes if it is flooded. In such situations, conventional car insurance may not help here, but an engine protection cover will come to the rescue by paying repair costs.

2. Protection from Oil Leakage

Many things can cause oil leakage, including wear and tear or non-maintenance. But such a leakage can cripple the engine, and the parts are costly to repair. An engine cover in comprehensive car insurance covers these expenses to ease you of unknown financial burdens.

3. Save From Mechanical Failures

Engine protection cover benefits include things such as coverage for mechanical failures resulting from problems like overheating and lubricant spillage. It also means that you won’t be using out-of-pocket money for repairs.

4. Coverage for Consumables

Sometimes appliance repairs include replacing lubricants, toothy coolant, as well as nuts and bolts. However, with an engine protection cover, many of these costs will usually be part of the claim, meaning they can quickly build up.

5. High Maintenance Vehicles Ideal For

Repair costs can be extremely high, too if your car is a high-end model or features a turbocharged engine. In such cases, engine protection cover comes in handy since it lowers the actual risk incurred in owning and maintaining such vehicles.

You cannot add engine protection cover to your third party car insurance policy. Therefore, if you want additional safety for your vehicle, you will have to get this add-on along with your comprehensive car insurance policy.

Is Engine Protection Cover Needed for a 5-Year-Old Car?

When deciding whether to opt for engine protection cover for a car that’s five years old, consider the following factors:

1. Vehicle’s Age and Condition

However, the engine protection cover is normally required for cars less than five years old, though the relevance can vary depending on how the car has been maintained. Adding this cover is a wise thing to consider if your car has already been driven a lot or if you’ve seen signs that your vehicle has engine issues from what it’s been through in the past.

2. Driving Environment

Engine protection cover in car insurance is fundamentally important, as the environment in which you drive helps to decide if it is necessary or not. This cover is essential if you often drive on roads flooded with water, hilly terrain, or areas with extreme weather conditions.

3. Manufacturer’s Warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty on most new cars will cover the first 3-5 years and will include coverage on the engine. But if your car’s warranty has expired, or is almost expired, then you can opt for engine protection cover as a safety net.

4. Financial Consideration

The cost of repairs is a big worry for many car owners. Vehicle fixes that involve engine repairs are some of the most expensive to repair, with costs sometimes running into thousands of pounds. An engine protection cover is a relatively cost-effective alternative to having to pay all this out of pocket.

5. Frequency of Use

The more your 5-year-old car is used — whatever that entails for long commutes, road trips or other stuff — the more you have a chance of wear and exhaustion. In such cases, engine protection cover benefits are even more in evidence.

Read more about the importance of this cover in our blog, How Does the Engine & Gearbox Protector Add-on Cover Help in Monsoon?

How Does Engine Protection Cover Work?

The regular own damage cover in your insurance doesn't offer protection for the engine. Therefore, adding an engine protection cover to your car insurance is just another way you are investing in security, considering the engine. This add-on allows you to raise a claim in case your car suffers engine damage due to waterlogging, leakage or other covered scenarios. The insurance company will reimburse the repair or replacement costs, minus any deductibles specified in your policy.

Importantly enough, however, this cover comes with conditions.

For example:

1. The cover is usually to be maintained and serviced with regularity.

2. The damage cannot stem from negligence when driving with a known issue.

Engine Protection Cover cost

One big worry for most car owners is the cost of getting engine protection coverage added to their policy. The premium for this add-on varies depending on factors such as:

1. The car’s make and model.

2. The vehicle’s age.

3. Your driving history.

The investments in insurance costs are smaller than the possibility of engine repairs. For instance, the premium for engine protection cover is a fraction of this amount, whereas engine replacement or replacement of major components will cost in the hundreds.

Engine Protection Cover for a 5-Year-Old Car Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Coverage for engine damage.

2. Protection against very high repair costs.

3. Ideal for places that are waterlogged or extreme.

4. Peace of mind for car owners.

Cons:

1. Higher insurance premiums.

2. It may not be too cost-effective in cars developed for more than five years.

3. There are some conditions put on it.

Engine Protection Cover — tips for choosing.

If you decide to include engine protection cover in your insurance, here are some tips to ensure you get the most value:

1. Review Inclusions:

The engine protection add-on cover may not cover all types of damage. It usually covers damages that are beyond the scope of your regular insurance policy. Therefore, review the criteria under which you can file the claim, like damage due to wear and tear, water ingress and so on.

2. Understand Exclusions:

Know what’s not covered under the policy by reading the fine print carefully.

3. Check Deductibles:

Policies with a deductible mean some amount for which you have to first pay, and the insurer steps in.

4. Assess Your Needs:

Then decide if this add-on is worth it based on your car’s age, usage, and the type of driving conditions you drive in.

Conclusion

So, is engine protection cover needed for a 5-year-old car? The answer largely depends on your car's condition, driving environment, and your financial preferences. While this cover offers invaluable protection for one of the most critical (and costly) components of your vehicle, it’s essential to evaluate whether it aligns with your specific needs.

For newer cars or those in challenging driving conditions, engine protection cover benefits are clear. However, for older cars that have been well-maintained, it might not always be necessary.

Ultimately, understanding what is engine protection in car insurance is and weighing the pros and cons will help you make an informed decision, ensuring your car and your wallet stay protected.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

How Does Engine & Gearbox Protector Add-on Cover ...

Do Older Cars Need Comprehensive Car Insurance?

Promote Discounted Add-ons with Festive Car Purchases

Zero Depreciation Coverage for New vs Old Vehicles

Lower Car Insurance Premium: 7 Smart Ways to Save