Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
Protect your car and your wallet from costly repair bills with MBI insurance.
While standard vehicle insurance might cover theft and damage from accidents, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (sometimes known as engine breakdown insurance) can cover mechanical faults and repairs, like steering problems, engine repairs, electric battery replacements or auto-electrical issues. MBI insurance covers new and used vehicles and provides peace of mind that you’re covered for unexpected mechanical repairs.
Mechanical repairs
Peace of mind knowing that you’re covered for most repairs, depending on your car mechanical insurance policy.
Roadside assistance
Customise your cover to include mechanical breakdown insurance NZ wide 24/7 roadside assistance.
Towing
Tow your car to any licensed MTA mechanic without facing additional bills or fees.
Rental car coverage
Get back on the road faster while your car is in the shop with our rental car allowances.
Replacement parts
MBI insurance covers the cost of any replacement parts required to make your vehicle roadworthy.
Vehicle recovery
We are proud to offer one of the best mechanical breakdown insurance NZ wide. Our policies cover all reasonable costs to relocate your vehicle from the location of mechanical failure to either your place of residence, or an approved repairer.
Optional vehicle hire
If you need to hire vehicle, similar to your own (for up to 5days), while yours is being repaired, or parts replaced, your will be reimbursed up to $500 of any reasonable costs.
Labour & repairs
Your Car mechanical insurance policy covers the cost of any labour required to repair your vehicle and return it to a roadworthy state.
24/7 roadside assistance
Your Mechanical Breakdown Insurance covers roadside assistance includes towing, restarting or replacing a flat battery, a locksmith service if you're locked out or lose your keys, changing a flat tyre, and assistance if you run out of fuel.
Optional overnight expenses or repatriation
If your vehicle's out of action for more than 24hrs and more than 100km from home, your car mechanical insurance policy covers the cost of overnight accommodation, or moving your vehicle to your place of residence.
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Does car insurance cover mechanical failure?
Many customers ask us, “does general car insurance cover mechanical failure?” The answer is no. Car insurance covers you for loss or damage resulting from unforeseen events like accidents and theft, as opposed to mechanical breakdowns. So, if you want the best possible cover for your vehicle, or you know you might have difficulty paying for unexpected repairs, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance is for you!
With Autolife, it’s free and easy to get an online quote. You can then complete the quick application and pay for it online and get that peace of mind motoring.
Peace of mind for down the road
Most new cars, and even some used cars, are sold with a warranty covering mechanical repairs. These plans protect against mechanical defects and pay for repairs to the suspension, engine, brakes and other systems. The downside is, once the vehicle has travelled a certain number of kilometres or a set period of time has passed, the vehicle warranty runs out. Once that happens, you’ll have to pay for your own repairs unless you apply for an extended car warranty or Mechanical Breakdown Insurance.
Just like an extended car warranty, MBI policies do not cover normal maintenance and wear-and-tear on your car.
Helpful to know…
Check out common questions we’re asked about Mechanical Breakdown Insurance and our other policies…
How Do You Make a Claim
First, go to our website and find the claim form. Complete the form with as much information regarding the fault as possible and with an estimate to repair from a licensed MTA Mechanic. Our MBI Insurance claims team will then review your claim and get back in touch with yourself and your mechanic. Upon approval, the garage will be notified to commence work. When the job is complete you can will then pay the excess directly to the mechanic and the balance will be paid by Autolife NZ in accordance with our guidelines.
How soon can I make a claim on my new policy?
All new MBI Insurance policies have a 21 day stand down period. This means you cannot make any claims with in the first 21 days. However, if you have a breakdown or require roadside assistance call our staff and we can provide assistance on a case by case basis.
What cars do you cover?
Autolife accepts most cars that are road worthy, NZ registered post 2000 and have less than 200,000 on the odometer. If your car falls outside of this criteria, give our friendly team a call to assess your situation and see if we can help.
What is the MBI Insurance for me?
Policies and costs vary on the vehicle and how much its driven. For most kiwis for a single owner/driver car our standard mechanical breakdown coverage of $4,000 ($5000 if your had has driven less than 100,000 kms) will provide you with an adequate level of cover for future mechanical claims.
Do You offer any free Cover?
We offer a 7 Day “Free look period” for any new policy. This gives you 7 days to ready through our terms and conditions to decide if you wish to continue with the policy If you decide not to continue with the policy, you will need to advise us in writing within 7 days of receipt.
Does anyone else provide MBI insurance in NZ
Currently, no other insurance company offers any form of Mechanical breakdown insurance with an instalment plan direct to the public. While there are other insurance companies that offer car insurance cover, mechanical failure cover is almost exclusively only offered through dealer networks, meaning all payments are upfront putting it out of reach of many Kiwis. Autolife Car Mechanical Insurance can be purchased directly online and your premium can be paid in instalments direct from your bank account for the term of your policy.
Does general car insurance cover mechanical failure? New FAQ with text from seo copy
No – car insurance covers you for loss or damage resulting from unforeseen events like accidents and theft, as opposed to mechanical breakdowns. If you want the best possible cover for your vehicle or you know you might have difficulty paying for unexpected repairs, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance is for you!