Can car insurance cover water damage caused by heavy rain?

[OKaden]

Heavy rain has met the conditions for a natural disaster, so basically all vehicle losses can be compensated through water damage insurance. Here is relevant information: 1. Water damage insurance: Also known as auto loss insurance or engine special loss insurance, different insurance companies may use different names but the essence is the same. This is a newly derived type of insurance, referring to an additional coverage purchased by the car owner specifically for the engine. 2. Scope of application: When the insured vehicle is submerged up to the exhaust pipe or intake pipe due to heavy rain or flooding, and the driver continues to start the vehicle or uses inertia to start it; or if the vehicle is started without necessary handling after suffering from heavy rain or flooding. In these two cases, water damage insurance must be purchased to receive corresponding compensation.

[MacCayden]

I remember when my car got flooded last year, I specifically went through the insurance policy to study it. As long as you have comprehensive car insurance, damage from flooding to parts other than the engine is generally covered. But pay special attention: if you attempt to restart the engine after it stalls and water gets in, the claim for engine damage will definitely be denied! It's crucial to take photos of the water level—the waterline must reach above half of the tire height to qualify as a flooding incident. An advantage of electric vehicles is their better waterproofing for electrical components. You must contact the insurance company within 48 hours for damage assessment, and they will send someone to take photos on-site. However, if you intentionally drive into a flooded area, the insurance won’t cover such risky behavior.

[Alexis]

Let me explain it clearly in two scenarios. For car owners who only have compulsory traffic insurance: Sorry! No coverage for water damage at all. For friends who have purchased vehicle damage insurance: Repairs for seats, wiring, etc., outside the engine are covered. Important reminder! Now, vehicle damage insurance includes water damage coverage, as they were bundled together after the 2020 reform. If your community garage gets flooded during a heavy rainstorm, you can claim compensation with a property management certificate and the meteorological bureau's heavy rain records. Remember, don't call a tow truck yourself; it's more cost-effective to call your insurance company for free towing and rescue services.

[DiCourtney]

I've seen too many insurance claim disputes in the repair shop. Three key points: 1) Whether the car damage insurance was purchased 2) Whether the engine stalled naturally while driving 3) Whether there were any circuit modifications. The most common reason for claim rejection is cylinder explosion caused by restarting the engine yourself. If you encounter flooding, don't panic - putting the car in neutral and calling a tow truck is the safest option. New energy vehicle owners can breathe easier though - battery packs are well sealed, and as long as they're not completely submerged, there's usually no problem.

[Sheldon]

It depends on the vehicle condition and insurance type. Remember three 'don'ts' after water immersion: don't restart the engine! Don't air-dry directly! Don't attempt DIY repairs! Last year I helped a friend with claims settlement - you'll need to prepare driver's license/vehicle registration/weather certification. If the water level exceeded the dashboard, it's generally treated as total loss, which is slightly better than scrapping. Those who modified exhaust pipe height should be cautious, as insurers may reduce compensation ratio if they discover this modification.