
If your car insurance policy doesn't explicitly state that it covers mechanic errors or negligence, you might be out of luck.
In fact, a recent study found that only 22% of car insurance policies cover mechanic errors.
Typically, your car insurance policy will only cover damages caused by accidents, theft, or other unforeseen events.
It's essential to review your policy documents carefully to understand what is and isn't covered.
When Insurance Covers
In some cases, car insurance might cover faulty or negligent repairs, but it depends on the specifics of your policy and the circumstances of the accident. Car insurance might cover mechanic negligence if shoddy repairs or maintenance lead to an accident.
If you live in a fault state, like Texas, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company to seek compensation for your losses. However, if your auto insurance policy includes collision coverage, that coverage might help pay for car repairs or replacement after an accident.
For your interest: Will Car Insurance Cover Repairs If You Are at Fault
Garage liability insurance can protect a mechanic from being held liable for damages arising from their repair work. This type of insurance is essential for mechanics to have, but it's not a guarantee that you won't be able to recover damages.
If you can prove that a mechanic committed fraud or intentional misconduct, the insurance company may refuse to pay the claim. In that case, you would be able to sue the mechanic directly.
Proving Liability
Proving liability is a crucial step in determining whether car insurance covers mechanic negligence.
To prove a mechanic was negligent, you need to show they breached their duty of care, which means they failed to exercise reasonable skill and care when repairing your vehicle.
You can do this by examining the repair work itself, looking for signs of shoddy or negligent work.
If the mechanic failed to inspect your vehicle correctly or spot an obvious problem, that may be enough to show their negligence.
On a similar theme: How Often Does Insurance Cover Blood Work
The circumstances surrounding the accident can also be used to prove negligence, such as if the accident occurred shortly after picking up your vehicle from the mechanic's shop.
Garage liability insurance can protect the mechanic from being held liable for damages, but there are exceptions, such as if the mechanic committed fraud or intentional misconduct.
In fault states like Texas, the at-fault driver is responsible for the injured party's damages, but sometimes, negligent mechanic work causes an accident.
To know for sure whether car insurance will cover your repairs, it's best to speak with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
A fresh viewpoint: Does Umbrella Insurance Cover Car Accident
Mechanic's Duty
A mechanic's duty is to exercise reasonable care when repairing your vehicle. This means performing repairs skillfully and professionally, possessing the knowledge and skills expected of a mechanic, and providing the services you required.
A mechanic's duty of care also includes warning you about potential dangers associated with the repair work. If they know your brakes are in poor condition and likely to fail, they must warn you and recommend repair or replacement.
A mechanic's duty is not just about fixing your car, but also about ensuring your safety. They must make sure the vehicle is safe for you to use before returning it, and not perform unnecessary repairs or work without your agreement.
Vehicle Inspection
A vehicle inspection is a crucial step in determining the extent of faulty work performed by a mechanic. Your lawyer can help connect you with a reputable shop that will deliver a proper and thorough assessment.
Some places will even do free estimates so you know how much fixing the faulty work will cost. This can give you a clear understanding of what's involved and what you can expect to pay.
Having an expert look at your vehicle can provide peace of mind and help you make informed decisions about your car's maintenance.
Mechanic's Duty of Care
A mechanic's duty of care is a crucial aspect of their responsibility to their customers. This means they must exercise reasonable skill and care when repairing vehicles.
A mechanic's duty of care includes warning you about any potential dangers associated with the repair work. For example, if they know your brakes are in poor condition and are likely to fail, they must warn you about the danger.
If a mechanic fails to exercise a reasonable level of care or fails to warn you about a potential danger, and you are injured, they can be held liable for negligence. This can have serious consequences, including property damage and injuries that require medical treatment.
To confirm whether a mechanic has performed faulty work, it's a good idea to have an expert look at your vehicle. Your lawyer can help connect you with a reputable shop that will deliver a proper and thorough assessment.
Here are some examples of mechanic negligence:
- Failing to perform repairs skillfully and professionally
- Not possessing and demonstrating the knowledge and skills expected of a mechanic providing repairs
- Not providing the services that you required and they agreed to perform
- Returning a vehicle that is not safe for the customer to use
- Performing unnecessary repairs or work without your agreement
Examples and Consequences
Examples of Negligent Mechanic Work can be quite shocking. Examples include not thoroughly inspecting the vehicle and missing huge problems, failing to repair a worn or broken car part completely, performing the wrong repair on your car, using the wrong car part when replacing a faulty part, and causing additional damage while repairing another part of the car.
The consequences of mechanic negligence can be severe. If a mechanic advises you to get a repair and you choose not to get it, they cannot be at fault. However, if an accident happens because you failed to get the fix, you would be liable rather than the repair shop.
Examples of Negligence During Auto Repairs include failing to address the original issue, improperly inflating, replacing, or balancing a tire, disabling airbags or electrical warning systems, and installing damaged or used parts during the repair. These examples highlight the importance of proper auto repairs and the potential consequences of negligence.
Some examples of negligent repairs include:
- Failing to address the original issue
- Improperly inflating, replacing, or balancing a tire
- Disabling airbags or electrical warning systems
- Improperly adjusting the suspension
- Faulty brake replacements or repairs
- Installing damaged or used parts during the repair
- Damaging other parts of the vehicle during the repair
- Performing unnecessary repairs
Examples of Work
A mechanic's negligence can lead to serious consequences, including accidents.
Examples of mechanic negligence include not thoroughly inspecting a vehicle and missing huge problems.
Failing to repair a worn or broken car part completely is another example of negligence. This can lead to further damage and potentially cause an accident.

Performing the wrong repair on a car is also a sign of negligence. This can be just as bad as not fixing the problem at all.
Using the wrong car part when replacing a faulty part is a common mistake that can lead to more problems.
Causing additional damage while repairing another part of the car is a clear sign of negligence. This can lead to a costly repair bill and potentially cause an accident.
Here are some examples of mechanic negligence:
- Not thoroughly inspecting the vehicle and missing huge problems
- Failing to repair a worn or broken car part completely
- Performing the wrong repair on your car
- Using the wrong car part when replacing a faulty part
- Causing additional damage while repairing another part of the car
Repair Consequences
A negligent repair can lead to a range of consequences, from minor issues to serious accidents.
If a mechanic fails to address the original issue, you may be left with a vehicle that's still not fixed.
Negligent repairs can cause additional damage to your vehicle, making it more expensive to repair.
In some cases, a negligent repair can lead to a car accident, resulting in property damage and injuries.

If you discover that a mechanic did not address your original issue, your first step would be to address the mechanic or repair shop directly.
A negligent repair can also lead to financial losses, including the cost of repairs, medical treatment, and lost wages.
You may need to file a civil lawsuit to seek damages if the mechanic or auto repair shop that worked on your car does not carry insurance coverage.
In the worst-case scenario, a negligent auto repair can lead to a car accident involving injuries, requiring medical treatment and potentially taking time off work to heal.
Examples of negligent repairs include failing to address the original issue, improperly inflating or replacing a tire, and disabling airbags or electrical warning systems.
Here are some examples of mechanic negligence:
- Failing to thoroughly inspect the vehicle and missing huge problems
- Failing to repair a worn or broken car part completely
- Performing the wrong repair on your car
- Using the wrong car part when replacing a faulty part
- Causing additional damage while repairing another part of the car
Negligence and Liability
To understand the concept of negligence and liability in the context of car insurance, it's essential to know that auto mechanics have a "duty of care" to their customers, meaning they must exercise reasonable skill and care when repairing vehicles.
A mechanic's failure to inspect a car or truck correctly or spot an obvious problem can be enough to show their negligence. This can be a crucial factor in determining liability in the event of an accident.
Examples of negligence during auto repairs include failing to address the original issue, improperly inflating, replacing, or balancing a tire, and disabling airbags or electrical warning systems. These mistakes can lead to more damage and put your safety at risk on the road.
If a mechanic misdiagnoses your problem and recommends unnecessary repairs, they can be held liable for the cost of those repairs. This is a clear breach of their duty of care and can have serious consequences.
If your damages resulted from a negligent repair, your own auto insurance policy usually won't cover these losses. In fact, the mechanic or auto repair shop that worked on your car may not carry any insurance coverage, leaving you with limited options.
Here are some common examples of negligent repairs:
- Failing to address the original issue
- Improperly inflating, replacing, or balancing a tire
- Disabling airbags or electrical warning systems
- Improperly adjusting the suspension
- Faulty brake replacements or repairs
- Installing damaged or used parts during the repair
- Damaging other parts of the vehicle during the repair
- Performing unnecessary repairs
These are just a few examples of the types of negligence that can occur during auto repairs. If you suspect that a mechanic has been negligent, it's essential to take action to protect your rights and seek compensation for any damages you've incurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance pay out for mechanical failure?
Insurance typically doesn't cover mechanical failure caused by neglect or wear and tear, but may cover sudden or unexpected engine failure due to other reasons. Read on to learn more about what's covered and what's not.
Sources
- https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/01-auto/auto101.cfm
- https://www.coverhound.com/insurance-learning-center/will-my-auto-insurance-cover-a-bad-repair-job
- https://www.dallascaraccidentlawyers.net/faulty-or-neglected-vehicle-maintenance/does-car-insurance-cover-mechanic-negligence/
- https://www.lhllaw.com/blog/can-an-auto-mechanic-be-held-liable-for-negligence/
- https://kainelaw.com/faqs/can-i-sue-a-mechanic-or-auto-repair-shop-in-georgia-for-negligence/
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