Does Insurance Cover Water-Damaged Cars?
2 Answers
If the car owner purchases the main insurance, namely vehicle damage insurance, and additionally buys waterlogging insurance, the losses caused by the car being soaked in water, including engine damage, can be compensated by the insurance company. Here are the relevant details: 1. Vehicle Damage Insurance: This refers to a type of commercial auto insurance where the insurance company compensates within a reasonable range for damage to the insured vehicle caused by an accident while the insured or an authorized driver is operating it. 2. Compensation Scenarios: The insurer is responsible for compensating for the losses of the insured vehicle caused by the following reasons while the insured or an authorized driver is using it: collision, overturning, falling; fire, explosion, spontaneous combustion (requires separate spontaneous combustion insurance); falling or collapsing external objects; storms, tornadoes; lightning, hail, heavy rain, floods, tsunamis; ground collapse, ice collapse, cliff collapse, avalanches, mudslides, landslides; and natural disasters affecting the ferry carrying the insured vehicle (limited to cases where the driver is accompanying the vehicle).
Whether water-damaged cars can be covered by insurance depends on whether you have comprehensive coverage. From my experience, most auto insurance policies now include coverage for water damage. If your car is flooded due to heavy rain or floods, the insurance company will usually cover the repair costs. However, there's a crucial point to note: never start the engine after the car has been submerged. If the engine is damaged due to restarting, the insurance may not cover any costs. I recommend confirming that your insurance includes water damage coverage when purchasing, especially if you live in low-lying areas. After a flood, report the claim immediately and have the car towed to a repair shop for inspection. The insurance company will assess the damage to determine coverage and compensation. Last year during a heavy rainstorm in our area, many cars were flooded, and those who reported the claims promptly received compensation.
