Can I Get Compensation for Water Damage Without Purchasing Vehicle Damage Insurance?
2 Answers
No compensation will be provided. According to the relevant provisions of China's motor vehicle insurance clauses, if neither vehicle damage insurance nor water-related damage insurance is purchased, losses caused to the vehicle by natural disasters such as heavy rain and floods fall under the coverage of vehicle damage insurance in commercial auto insurance. Expenses incurred from rescue operations, cleaning costs, electrical damages, and interior component losses after the vehicle is submerged are all covered by vehicle damage insurance, and the insurance company should provide compensation. Coverage of vehicle damage insurance: The compensation scope of vehicle damage insurance includes rescue expenses, cleaning costs, as well as electrical or interior component losses. However, engine damage caused by the vehicle being submerged in water or driving through water is excluded from liability. This means that if the engine is flooded due to submersion or secondary startup, the cost of repairing the engine will not be covered under vehicle damage insurance.
As a long-time driver, I learned a hard lesson last year when my car got flooded during heavy rain. Without comprehensive insurance, the insurer directly refused to cover the damage since I didn't have that coverage—compulsory traffic insurance only covers third-party liabilities, not your own vehicle. I ended up paying nearly 10,000 RMB out of pocket to repair water-damaged circuits, a rusted engine, and other issues. That experience taught me: comprehensive insurance isn't worth skipping, especially in flood-prone cities—it covers flood/water damage at a reasonable cost (just a few hundred yuan annually). For prevention, park on elevated ground during storms, avoid low-lying areas. If flooded, immediately cut power and call a tow truck to prevent secondary damage. Safety first—full coverage is a responsibility to yourself.
