Can car insurance cover water damage caused by heavy rain?
2 Answers
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.
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.
