How Does Insurance Cover Engine Water Damage?
2 Answers
Here is the content introduction for insurance claims related to engine water damage: 1. If the vehicle is submerged while stationary, comprehensive insurance can provide coverage: It is recommended that after the incident occurs, do not attempt to move or start the vehicle. Instead, call the insurance company to report the claim as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours. The specific coverage and loss will depend on the policy terms. If the water level rises above the dashboard, the insurance company may consider full compensation. 2. Comprehensive insurance does not cover engine water damage caused by driving through water or attempting to restart the engine: If the vehicle stalls in water, there is a 50% chance of engine damage; however, if the engine is restarted after stalling, it will almost certainly be "totaled." Therefore, comprehensive insurance does not cover engine damage resulting from driving through water. Other damages outside the engine will still be covered under the standard vehicle damage insurance. Additional Information: To obtain coverage for engine water damage, you need to purchase an additional rider to the vehicle damage insurance—flood insurance. The following scenarios are covered under flood insurance: 1. The vehicle is submerged while driving due to natural disasters such as heavy rain or flooding. 2. The vehicle accidentally falls into water. 3. The vehicle is submerged while parked in a parking lot or underground garage.
Will insurance cover water damage to the engine? It depends. Last summer during a heavy rainstorm, my car got flooded and the engine stopped working immediately. I quickly parked and turned off the engine—never try to restart it, as that could void your insurance claim. I immediately called my insurer to report the incident, taking photos of the water level as evidence. Fortunately, I had previously added affordable water damage coverage, which covered most repair costs, though I still had to pay a 2,000 yuan deductible. The claims process was straightforward: an adjuster assessed the damage, confirmed it was caused by natural disaster, and settled within about a week. The repairs cost 30,000 yuan, with insurance reimbursing 28,000. Now whenever heavy rain hits, I avoid deep water areas—it saves both hassle and money. When buying auto insurance, carefully review add-on options; water damage coverage is inexpensive but provides peace of mind.
