Can I claim insurance for water damage to my car?
2 Answers
Yes. Heavy rain has met the conditions for a natural disaster, so basically all damages to the vehicle can be compensated through auto damage insurance. If the vehicle is soaked in water, as long as the engine is not flooded, only replacing parts or repairing circuits, etc., are covered by auto damage insurance. Even if the entire car body is submerged by heavy rain, resulting in a total loss of the car, the insurance company can compensate according to the total loss. The following situations are exceptions: However, in one case, the insurance company will not compensate. That is, if the owner still forcibly starts the vehicle after it has been flooded, the resulting damage will not be covered. If encountering road flooding, and the vehicle damage is caused by the owner driving through the water despite foreseeable risks, the insurance company will not compensate. But most car owners are not aware of this rule. Therefore, it is necessary to remind car owners that when the vehicle stalls due to heavy rain, do not attempt to restart the vehicle. Instead, try to tow the vehicle out of the water and immediately call the insurance company to report the claim, letting the insurance company staff handle the situation.
It depends on the specific situation. Last year when my car got flooded in the underground garage of our community during a heavy rainstorm, my first reaction was to contact the insurance company. As long as you have purchased vehicle damage insurance, water ingress caused by such natural disasters is generally covered. But remember two key points: First, never attempt to restart the engine! Insurance companies are most strict about this - it will be directly classified as human-caused damage. Second, you must file a claim within 48 hours and remember to take photos of the waterline. Nowadays insurance adjusters are quite professional - they'll help distinguish between electrical components and engine repair scopes, with the principle of repairing what can be fixed and replacing what needs replacement. During repairs, I recommend keeping an eye on things, especially hidden areas like wiring harness connectors, otherwise there might be issues later.
