Robert Vaughn

“Everything Breaks Insurance”: What It Really Is (and Isn’t)

January 18, 2026

Read time: 8 minutes

Everything Breaks Insurance

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If you’re searching “everything breaks insurance”, chances are you’re feeling something like this:

I’m tired of worrying what’s going to break next, just give me one plan that actually covers it so I can stop stressing.

Totally understandable.

The catch? There is no real product called “everything breaks insurance” that literally covers every part, in every situation, forever. But there are smart ways to protect yourself from the repairs that actually wreck budgets—without falling for marketing that overpromises and under-delivers.

This guide will walk you through:

What people really mean when they say “everything breaks insurance”
The real-world options that come closest (and where they fall short)
How vehicle service contracts (VSCs), “car repair insurance,” and breakdown coverage actually work
Why exclusions and fine print matter more than the sales pitch
How to build a protection strategy that fits your car and budget

If you’re new to warranties and VSCs in general, keep these open in another tab for later:

Woman with a broken down vehicle in the dead of winter wondering what everything breaks insurance is — Looking for “everything breaks insurance” for your car? Learn what actually exists, what it really covers, and how to protect yourself from big repair bills without falling for gimmicks

1. What People Actually Want When They Search “Everything Breaks Insurance”

When drivers type “everything breaks insurance”, they’re usually not looking for a specific brand. They’re trying to solve a feeling:

My car is getting older, repairs are expensive, and I don’t want one big breakdown to blow up my savings.

You might be:

Coming off a manufacturer warranty
Holding onto a car longer instead of jumping into a new payment
Seeing friends and family get hit with $2,000–$4,000 repair bills
Getting those “final notice” warranty mailers and robocalls

What you probably want is:

Predictable costs instead of painful surprises
Coverage for the expensive stuff (engine, transmission, electronics, A/C, etc.)
A clear picture of what’s covered, what isn’t, and how claims actually work

That’s exactly the problem Cuvrd talks about in:

2. The Hard Truth: No Plan Covers Literally Everything

Let’s say it out loud:

No legitimate plan covers everything. And anyone who says otherwise is either oversimplifying or overselling.

Every protection product—whether it’s:

A vehicle service contract (VSC)
Car repair insurance
Mechanical breakdown insurance
Some “auto breakdown” or “protection plan”

…has:

Defined covered parts and systems
A list of exclusions
Rules for maintenance, claim procedures, and what is and isn’t eligible

That’s why Cuvrd spends so much time on fine print:

What you can get, though, is very broad coverage that protects most of the expensive mechanical and electronic systems that actually cause financial pain when they fail.

3. The Closest Thing to “Everything Breaks Insurance”: Strong VSC Coverage

The real-world product that comes closest to “everything breaks insurance” is an exclusionary-style vehicle service contract.

Quick recap on VSCs:

They’re not the manufacturer’s warranty; they’re a contract that helps pay for covered repairs
They can kick in after your factory warranty ends
They come in different levels of coverage (from powertrain-only to near “bumper-to-bumper”)

To get oriented:

Inclusionary vs exclusionary coverage

Most VSCs fall into one of two categories:

Inclusionary (stated component)
- Lists what is covered
- If it’s not listed, it’s not covered
Exclusionary
- Lists what’s not covered
- Most other automotive components are covered

If you’re trying to get as close to “everything breaks insurance” as possible, you want to understand this distinction:

No plan will cover:

Routine maintenance
Wear items like brake pads and wiper blades
Damage from abuse or neglect

But a good exclusionary VSC can cover most of the budget-breaking repairs you’re afraid of.

4. “Everything Breaks Insurance” vs Car Repair Insurance vs Breakdown Coverage

The phrase “everything breaks insurance” often overlaps with a few real product types:

1. Car repair insurance

Sometimes sold by insurers or third parties, this is essentially mechanical breakdown coverage dressed up as “insurance.”

It may behave a lot like an extended warranty/VSC
But it’s regulated as insurance in some states
It has the same concept: covered components, exclusions, deductibles

Cuvrd breaks down what it really is here:

Car repair insurance: what it covers and why you need it

2. Mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI)

In some states (especially California), you’ll see MBI instead of traditional VSCs.

To compare MBI vs extended warranties:

Mechanical breakdown insurance for used cars: why an extended warranty is the smarter choice

3. Auto breakdown protection / vehicle protection plans

Marketing terms like “auto breakdown protection,” “vehicle protection plans,” or “vehicle protection insurance” usually refer to some flavor of:

VSC
Breakdown-style coverage
Multi-component service plan

Helpful context:

Different names. Same basic idea:

You pay a predictable cost so you’re not on the hook for full price when something expensive breaks.

5. The Real Goal: Protect Big Repairs, Not Every Little Thing

When you zoom out, “everything breaks insurance” is less about every tiny problem and more about not getting destroyed by the big ones.

Think:

Transmission replacement
Major engine internal failure
A/C system or cooling system failure
Power steering system issues
Complex electronics or control modules

Those are the repairs that show up in:

The most expensive car repairs and how to avoid paying for them

A smart plan will:

Focus on major systems that can run into the thousands
Help with diagnostics and labor on covered claims
Give you rental, towing, and roadside benefits (depending on the contract)
Leave normal wear and maintenance to your regular budget

This is exactly how Cuvrd talks about using a VSC as part of your financial plan:

Why a VSC makes budgeting for car expenses easier

6. What “Everything Breaks Insurance” Definitely Won’t Cover

Here’s where the marketing fantasy and real contracts often collide.

No matter what it’s called, your plan is almost certainly not going to cover:

Oil changes, filters, spark plugs, and routine maintenance
Brake pads and rotors, tires, wiper blades
Cosmetic damage (dents, paint chips, upholstery wear)
Damage from neglect, lack of maintenance, or abuse
Pre-existing conditions and known failures before you bought the plan

Understanding that up front saves a lot of disappointment later.

For more on where warranties stop and maintenance begins:

Does a car warranty cover routine maintenance?

7. Cost: What You’re Really Paying for When You Chase “Everything”

If a company were crazy enough to offer real “everything breaks insurance,” it would be unbelievably expensive.

Instead, you’re usually choosing between:

Cheapest-looking plan (thin coverage, lots of exclusions)
Overpriced plan (big markup, often in a dealership finance office)
Fairly priced, solid coverage tuned to your car and budget

Cuvrd has an entire section dedicated to untangling the pricing:

If you prefer to pay monthly instead of up front:

The goal is not to find a magical “everything” plan. It’s to find:

A realistic, well-priced plan that covers the repairs you can’t easily afford on your own.

8. How to Avoid “Everything Breaks” Gimmicks

Ironically, the phrase “everything breaks insurance” is exactly the kind of thing that gimmicky marketers lean on.

Watch for:

Scare tactics – “This is your final notice!”
Vague promises – “We cover everything!” with no contract details
Suspiciously low monthly prices with no discussion of coverage limits or exclusions
High-pressure scripts that dodge your questions

Before you sign anything, cross-check against these:

If someone can’t show you the contract or clearly explain what’s covered and excluded, they haven’t earned your money—no matter how “everything” they make it sound.

9. Turning “Everything Breaks” Anxiety into a Real Plan

At the end of the day, this isn’t about finding a mythical product. It’s about reducing stress and adding predictability to how you own your car.

A good plan will help you:

Cover the big, budget-breaking repairs
Turn surprise expenses into planned costs
Decide when it makes more sense to keep your current car and protect it rather than taking on a new payment

For that bigger strategy:

Cuvrd exists to help you move from:

“Everything breaks and I’m just hoping it’s not my turn”

to:

“I know what’s covered, what isn’t, what I’m paying, and why.”

You can dig deeper, compare options, and get educated at:

About Warranties
Why Cuvrd
FAQ
Extended warranty how-to
Extended warranty cost and price
The full Cuvrd blog and main site at cuvrd.com

There may not be true “everything breaks insurance.” But with the right coverage and a clear understanding of how it works, you can get very close to what you actually want:

Protection from the repairs that matter most, at a price that makes sense for how you drive.

Drive smart. Stay protected. Stay Cuvrd.

TL;DR: Searching “everything breaks insurance” because you’re tired of stressing over what might fail next on your car? This article unpacks what people really mean by that phrase, which protection plans actually exist, and how to get broad, realistic breakdown coverage without falling for overhyped gimmicks.

— Robert Vaughn