Can a Car Driven into a River Be Declared a Total Loss?
2 Answers
Whether a car driven into a river can be declared a total loss depends on the actual circumstances. Because auto damage insurance usually only compensates for vehicle losses caused by natural disasters or accidents, if the actual situation of the car being driven into the river does not fall within the scope of the insurance claim agreement, the insurance company will not compensate for it. The introduction of auto damage insurance is as follows: Introduction: Auto damage insurance is a type of commercial auto insurance where the insurance company compensates within a reasonable range for the damage to the insured vehicle caused by an insurance accident that occurs while the insured or an authorized driver is using the insured vehicle. Function: Auto damage insurance and third-party liability insurance are the basic types of vehicle insurance, mainly compensating for the loss of the insured vehicle and the loss caused to a third party by the use of the insured vehicle.
Two years ago, I accidentally drove my car into a river. The entire vehicle was submerged overnight, and after being recovered, the engine and wiring were all flooded, making it impossible to repair. Later, I filed an insurance claim, and the insurance company sent someone to inspect it. They said the repair costs exceeded the car's value, so they declared it a total loss and compensated me accordingly. However, the key factor here is your insurance coverage—you must have comprehensive or flood damage coverage for this to apply, as basic liability insurance might not cover it. Additionally, if the water was shallow and only submerged the tires, it might not be considered a total loss. My advice is to call for rescue immediately, take photos for evidence, and then contact your insurance company to assess the damage. Avoid trying to fix it yourself to prevent further risks. Everyone should drive carefully, especially near slippery riverbanks—safety first.
