How Does Insurance Cover a Car Flooded by Rain?
1 Answers
Automobiles need to be insured with Vehicle Damage Insurance and Special Engine Loss Insurance. Vehicle Damage Insurance: Vehicle Damage Insurance is a type of commercial auto insurance. It stipulates that if the insured or their permitted driver causes damage to the insured vehicle during an accident while driving, the insurance company is obligated to provide compensation within reasonable limits. Special Engine Loss Insurance: The scope of the Waterlogging Insurance (a part of Special Engine Loss Insurance) is relatively narrow. It generally covers various expenses arising from engine water ingress during normal driving conditions, provided that the vehicle is not restarted after the engine is flooded. However, relatively few people opt for this insurance, especially in northern regions. Important Notes on Waterlogging Insurance: Currently, many insurance companies, including PICC, Ping An, Taiping, and Bank of China, explicitly state in their Vehicle Damage Insurance policies that they will compensate for total or partial losses of the insured vehicle caused by lightning strikes, heavy rain, floods, hailstorms, tsunamis, etc. However, there is an exclusion clause that excludes damage to the engine caused by water ingress. Claims Process: After a car is flooded, the owner should contact their auto insurance customer service within 24 hours to file a claim and arrange for damage assessment. Photos of the flooded car should be taken for documentation. Normally, after contacting the insurance company, a representative will handle the claim. If not, the owner can visit the nearest insurance service point, where they will receive a repair cost estimate, details of the coverage, and the required documents and materials for the claim. Based on the provided repair cost estimate, the owner should promptly contact a repair facility to fix the car, as some electronic components may suffer further damage if not cleaned promptly after getting wet.
