Can I Get Compensation for Water Damage with Vehicle Damage Insurance?
2 Answers
Can I Get Compensation for Water Damage with Vehicle Damage Insurance? The details are as follows: Basis for compensation with vehicle damage insurance for water damage: As long as you have purchased vehicle damage insurance under the new policy terms, you can generally receive corresponding compensation based on the level of water ingress. Insurance professionals indicate that vehicles are classified into five levels of water damage after submersion. For levels one to three, where water ingress is relatively minor, the focus is on cleaning and repairs. For levels four and five, where water ingress is deeper and damage is severe, and if the vehicle is covered by damage insurance, the insurance company usually offers a total loss settlement, compensating based on the vehicle's depreciated value. Cases where insurance companies deny claims: No compensation for un-inspected vehicles: Many car owners forget to have their vehicles inspected. If an incident occurs during this period, the insurance company will deny the claim. Insurance regulations state that coverage only applies to qualified and legal vehicles. Un-inspected vehicles are considered unqualified and are not permitted on the road, hence no compensation is provided. No compensation for forcibly restarting the engine after water submersion: If the car is submerged and the owner attempts to restart the engine, causing engine damage, this is considered a man-made loss, and the insurance company has the right to deny compensation.
If your car has comprehensive insurance and gets flooded, whether you can claim depends on the specific circumstances. Comprehensive insurance itself covers water damage to the vehicle, such as when parked in a residential underground garage or when non-engine parts like circuits and interiors are damaged due to deep road water. However, note that engine repair costs after water ingress require additional purchase of water ingress insurance. Last time during a typhoon, my car was flooded up to the seats. I reported to the insurance without starting the engine, and the comprehensive insurance covered the cleaning and repair costs for the car body. But if you risk driving into deep water, stall, and restart the engine, the insurer may likely deny the claim. It's best to take photos of the water level and vehicle position when reporting the incident and contact the loss assessor within 48 hours for a smoother process. Additionally, modified parts or vehicles without timely annual inspections may also affect the claim.
