Geico mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) is one of the company’s choices for additional auto coverage. Those who get Geico MBI coverage may avoid the financial hit that comes with unexpected repairs, but this insurance product isn’t always worth the money.
We wanted to learn how Geico mechanical breakdown insurance compares to plans from the best extended car warranty companies, so we looked at the program’s coverage, costs, and reviews. If you want extended protection but decide that Geico MBI isn’t the right choice, we’ve listed a few additional providers below.
What Is Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance?
Geico mechanical breakdown insurance covers costs at the repair shop for specific components that break during normal use. This policy is similar to an extended car warranty in that it allows owners to avoid certain unexpected car repair costs by paying an up-front or monthly fee.
Here are a few things you should know about Geico mechanical breakdown insurance:
- Eligibility: Not all vehicles are eligible for this coverage. Geico mechanical breakdown insurance can only be purchased for new vehicles or cars that are less than 15 months old and have fewer than 15,000 miles on the odometer.
- Length of coverage: Geico MBI coverage can be extended on your vehicle for up to 7 years/100,000 miles.
- Deductible: You’ll need to pay a $250 deductible when you use Geico’s insurance for car repairs. After you’ve paid this, Geico mechanical breakdown insurance will cover the remaining costs.
What Does Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Cover?
Geico mechanical breakdown insurance coverage takes care of nearly everything in your vehicle except for specified parts and services. This level of protection is similar to what’s found in a new car’s factory warranty, and it’s the gold standard for vehicle service contracts.
Essentially, Geico MBI plans cover repairs for all the mechanical parts and other major systems in your vehicle, as well as labor costs.
What Doesn’t Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Cover?
Certain parts and services are excluded from Geico mechanical breakdown insurance. Vehicle owners with Geico MBI plans are responsible for regular maintenance services and wear-and-tear parts. Below are some exclusions from the contract:
| Tuneups | Wheel balancing | Coolant and fluids | Brake pads and linings |
| Oil changes | Filters | Spark plugs | Brake shoes |
| Suspension alignment | Lubrication | Tires |
Your Geico mechanical breakdown insurance policy also won’t cover the following:
- Intentional damage
- Issues due to corrosion, misuse, or improper maintenance of your vehicle
- Problems caused by an accident or environmental factors
Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Cost
Drivers typically pay between $100 and $150 per year for Geico mechanical breakdown coverage. We received the following quotes for the company’s MBI policies:
| Vehicle Model | Monthly Rate | Annual Rate |
| 2022 Honda Accord | $11.04 | $132.48 |
| 2022 Ford Explorer | $12.36 | $148.32 |
Prices won’t be the same for everyone. Much like the costs of car insurance or extended car warranty coverage, the cost of Geico mechanical breakdown insurance depends on a number of factors, including:
- Vehicle model: The type of car you have–along with its mileage, age, and condition–plays a role in how much Geico charges for MBI.
- Car reliability: Vehicles that break down often will usually get charged higher rates for mechanical breakdown insurance.
- High-tech features: Cars with components that are expensive to repair or replace will likely end up with higher prices for Geico mechanical breakdown insurance.
Like extended car warranty costs, your insurance premiums for MBI coverage won’t be affected by your driving experience or age since damages caused by collisions won’t be covered.
Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Vs. Extended Warranties
Geico mechanical breakdown insurance has quite a few similarities to an extended car warranty. While you may hear these terms used interchangeably, there are a few differences. A few of the most significant ones are found below:
| Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance | Extended Car Warranty |
| Coverage must be purchased before a car is 15 months old or has 15,000 miles | Coverage can be bought at nearly any point |
| Maximum coverage limit of seven years or 100,000 miles | Coverage options that reach 15 years or 300,000 miles |
| One level of coverage | Many tiers of coverage from various providers |
| $250 deductible | Deductible options usually ranging from $0 to $250 |
| Typically costs between $100 and $150 per year | Typically costs $400 to $800 per year |
| Regulated by state insurance commissioners | Not regulated by state insurance commissioners |
| Doesn’t come with extra benefits | Often comes with additional benefits, like roadside assistance |
Geico mechanical breakdown insurance is generally cheaper than an extended warranty, but it also lacks benefits such as roadside assistance and comes with only one coverage option. The Geico MBI plan has a $250 deductible, while extended auto warranties can have higher or lower deductible amounts.
Is Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Worth It?
Given its comprehensive coverage and relatively affordable rates, Geico mechanical breakdown insurance can be worth it for drivers who already use the car insurance company. This MBI plan may save drivers considerable money versus paying for repair costs out of pocket.
That’s not the only benefit of Geico mechanical breakdown insurance, though. MBI claims also offer the peace of mind that comes with knowing you won’t have to pay much if something goes wrong. Considering you can add this coverage to your auto policy for a few extra dollars a month, that alone could make an MBI policy worth it.
Alternatives To Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Geico mechanical breakdown insurance may be worth buying for many drivers, but it also comes with limitations. If you want to compare coverage, you can check out mechanical breakdown insurance from Progressive or other insurance providers.
While vehicle service contracts from third-party providers cost more than a Geico MBI plan, they add options for the types of coverage you want and your plan’s limits. If you’re specifically looking for reputable extended car warranty companies to protect your vehicle, Endurance and Carchex would be great places to start as well.
Endurance: Best Coverage
In our research on the best extended car warranty companies, Endurance came out on top. That’s because the provider offers six levels of high-quality protection ranging from a basic powertrain warranty to full bumper-to-bumper coverage. On top of standard benefits like roadside assistance, every Endurance plan comes with a one-year free membership to the Endurance Elite Benefits program, which includes a collision discount and total loss protection.
Read more: Endurance warranty review
Carchex: Best For Used Cars
Carchex has been in business since 1999 and is one of the industry’s most established third-party warranty providers. With endorsements from Carfax, Edmunds.com, and the Kelley Blue Book, the company has plenty of support from leaders across the automotive space. Along with roadside assistance and other benefits, Carchex often provides great coverage for older and high-mileage vehicles, especially through its extended warranties for cars with over 100,000 miles.
Read more: Carchex review
Compare providers: Endurance vs. Carchex
Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance: FAQ
How We Rate Warranty Providers
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of extended auto warranty providers. While there are multiple qualities that make a warranty company successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact vehicle service contract pricing. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and plans and consider available deductibles.
- Coverage: Our team of experts looks at the number of extended warranty plans available, as well as term limits, exclusions, and added benefits like roadside assistance. Ratings also take into account the availability of maintenance coverage.
- Reputation: It’s important that an extended car warranty company is able to meet its claims obligations. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Customer Experience: We listen to real customer sales calls and comb through reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Warranty companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider the availability of mobile apps and chat features.
*Data accurate at time of publication.