Can I claim insurance if my car is flooded?
2 Answers
Purchasing vehicle water damage insurance can result in compensation. 1. Introduction to water damage insurance: Water damage insurance, also known as automobile loss insurance or engine special loss insurance, varies in name among insurance companies but is essentially the same. It is a newly derived type of insurance, referring to an additional coverage that car owners purchase for their engines. 2. Coverage situations: It mainly provides compensation for engine damage caused by driving through waterlogged roads or being submerged in water. However, if the car owner forcibly starts the engine after being submerged, causing damage, the insurance company will not compensate. Water damage insurance compensation conditions extended information: The insurer is responsible for compensating the insured or their legally permitted driver for engine damage to the insured motor vehicle caused by the following reasons during the use of the insured motor vehicle, as agreed in the insurance contract: 1. At the time of suffering from heavy rain or flood, the insured motor vehicle is submerged up to the exhaust pipe or intake pipe, and the driver continues to start the motor vehicle or uses inertia to start the motor vehicle; 2. After suffering from heavy rain or flood, the motor vehicle is started without necessary treatment.
That time I encountered a situation where my car was flooded, I immediately checked the insurance policy. Generally, the purchased vehicle damage insurance can cover losses caused by such natural disasters, such as waterlogging due to heavy rain. The specific steps are to turn off the engine immediately to avoid more severe damage from water entering the engine, and ensure personal safety by leaving the scene. Then, call the insurance company to report the incident, describing the location and situation; they might send a tow truck to take the car to a repair shop. However, this is only applicable if you have comprehensive or vehicle damage insurance; if you only have compulsory traffic insurance, it won't cover this. Timeliness is crucial, as claims are typically required to be reported within 48 hours to be valid; delaying too long may result in the insurance company refusing the claim. During subsequent repairs, the electrical system is prone to corrosion and rust, requiring a thorough inspection. Therefore, I recommend avoiding parking in low-lying areas whenever possible.
