Can Engine Water Damage Be Covered by Vehicle Damage Insurance?
2 Answers
Yes, it can be covered. Before the auto insurance reform, vehicle damage insurance did not cover engine water damage, and policyholders needed to add waterlogging coverage to get compensation. However, after the reform, the waterlogging coverage was directly incorporated into the vehicle damage insurance. Now, as long as you have vehicle damage insurance, you are covered for waterlogging. Therefore, engine water damage is now covered by vehicle damage insurance. Precautions after driving through water: 1. Drive at low speed: When driving through water, in addition to maintaining a low speed, try not to stop, shift gears, release the throttle, or accelerate. You should pass through steadily at a low gear with moderate to high throttle, rather than speeding through and splashing large waves or water. 2. Do not restart immediately: If the car stalls in water, do not attempt to restart it immediately. Instead, take measures to tow the car to a safe location with less water as soon as possible.
When it comes to whether insurance covers engine damage after driving through water, I recall my own experience last year. On a rainy day, I drove through a waterlogged section of the road without much thought—the water was quite deep, but I just plowed through. As a result, the engine got waterlogged and broke down. I immediately contacted the insurance company, and they explained that standard auto damage insurance usually doesn’t cover water-related damage unless I had specifically added a water damage rider. Upon checking my policy, sure enough, I hadn’t opted for it and had to pay for the repairs out of pocket. Everyone should be aware that most auto damage insurance only covers collision accidents—water damage is considered an additional risk and requires separate coverage. I recommend reviewing your policy before the rainy season to see if you’ve added water damage coverage. If you encounter deep water, it’s best to detour. If the water level exceeds the height of the exhaust pipe, don’t force your way through—safety comes first. Otherwise, repair costs could run into tens of thousands, not to mention compromising driving safety.
