Insurance for mechanical breakdown

I had a maniacal breakdown once.

Personally I think a psychiatrist would be much more helpful than an insurance company........

Maybe a mistake in the spelling. Was that a "mechanical" breakdown? ie breaking down because something in the motor is broken? Is that what you meant?

If so then I think then you will be out of luck mate. Never heard of it. To take a bet that your car will not have a problem is a big chance for anyone to take, let along bet with someones else's money. ie the stock holders money in the case of an insurance company. ie My money. I wouldn't want them to take that bet. Sorry mate.

Phil

I had a fuel contamination and was surprised to find that my comprehensive insurance covered it, now I have a V8 Ive doubled checked that Im covered
Regards Jim

feathery
If you want insurance fit a pre filtering system which warns and filters and dewaters the fuel,
The fuel usually isn't bad but it might be contaminated and suitable filtering will provide a realistic level of insurance against it worrying your engine.

Remember, you can't allow for everything in life though even maniacs.

I recently filled up at a BP servo & was handed a pamphlet about fuel & what BP advise concerning their fuels. Basically as I understand it,if you experience problems using that companies fuel & you have you receipts they will cover all expenses. That IMHO was my understanding however I stand to be corrected. I am not affiliated with BP or any fuel company...etc....etc....etc. I have had an experience with a cheap/discounted fuel outlet with red,white & green signs (Grocery ownership) & had dirty fuel in main & sub tanks. I only use Mobil,Shell & BP now. Rob.

I have heard from several reliable sources within the vehicle and service industries that the new Toyota V8 common rail diesels are having significant issues with injector deterioration due to “fuel contamination”. While Toyota say that the injectors should be replaced on the vehicle at 200K, many are not making it to half that. It is unfortunate that a manufacturer in most cases claims that the deterioration is or must be caused by contaminated fuel and yet ignore the simple fact that if this is the case, their filter system is inadequate to meet the demands of a vehicle that is made and marketed as suitable for “Australian” conditions.

As to the insurance element, I have a comprehensive policy through TCIS brokers in Adelaide. My policy covers damage caused by contaminated fuel providing that;
1. Contamination is accidental and unforseen (Hell that’s odd. It’s not like I’d by deliberately adding water to my fuel lol)
2. As soon as the issue becomes apparent, you stop driving (Duty of care to the vehicle). If you try to push on doing further damage, the insurer may reject the claim (Not good if you’re half way down the Canning but then recovery costs would be covered as well).
These provisions are up to the individual policy underwriters and may vary. If you want that type of cover, you should talk to a broker and make sure that you obtain a policy that covers all of the aspects you consider important.

Contaminated fuel is a major concern to me as I travel in remote areas. I always use a Mr Funnel when pouring fuel from drums or using outback bowsers and have fitted a good quality pre filter and alarmed water separator.

Another word to the wise, if by chance you arrive at an outback location at the same time as the monthly delivery of fuel, try and fill up before he drops 15K litres of diesel into the tanks stirring them up. More remote locations and community bowsers may not maintain the filtration systems as well as they should be. If the tanks have been recently disturbed, always best to use an appropriate filter like a Mr Funnel or wait for a few hours.

Cheers Mick

Recently in Esperance, SA, I went to fill up and there was a tanker filling up the diesel tank. I went over to him and asked him if it would be safe to fill up. He laughed and said he has heard the rumours and in his opinion it is all total bull. He said he has been driving tankers for a long time and repeated, it is not true. I asked the console operator and they said they have never had an issue with contaminated fuel.
But just to be on the safe side, I recently changed insurance companies because my old one did not cover for contaminated fuel. So make sure you check your policy.
And I think it is not just a landcrusiser 200 series problem. I have taken notice of a lot of different forums and everyone has a story about common rail diesel motors and damage from contamination. Maybe the 200 being a V8 is more costly to fix, that is why insurance cover is important. Kevin

They are all dear to fix. My McManiac....err, I mean mechanic :-), is currently doing a Hyundai Terracan that was diagnosed dirty fuel with a $10,000 repair estimate. The insurance company is picking up the bill for the Hyundai. I don't know the company.

I have heard RAA ins will cover you if you added unleaded to your diesel tank and drove it until it went bang

As an aircraft maintenance engineer we regularly drain water from the aircraft fuel tanks, the tanks have drain points in them. If we have recently refuelled the tanks we wait a minimum of two hours before doing the water drains. Any earlier and the water is suspended within the fuel and it needs time to settle to the bottom. Its the same situation when a tanker refuels the servo. If the servo has just been refuelled, water and other gunk will be stirred up and suspended in the fuel and you will pump it straight into your fuel tank. It needs time to settle.

upon request, I have just corrected the typo in the title of the thread from "maniacal" to "mechanical".

Hi Dennis I am Insured with RACQ
Regards Jim