How Does Insurance Cover Engine Water Damage?
3 Answers
Comprehensive vehicle insurance only covers damages to parts other than the engine and does not cover engine repairs; engine damage can only be claimed under water damage insurance. Expenses incurred by the vehicle owner in rescuing their car can also be reimbursed by the insurance company, with the specific amount calculated separately from the vehicle damage compensation. If the vehicle's engine is damaged solely due to stalling in water, both water damage insurance and comprehensive vehicle insurance will provide coverage.
Hey, I'm a young person who often drives to and from work. Last time during a heavy rain, I drove into a water puddle and the engine got flooded and was ruined. I immediately contacted the insurance company, only to find out that the basic car damage insurance doesn’t cover such losses—you need special water submersion coverage. At that time, I only had the minimum coverage and ended up paying nearly 20,000 RMB out of pocket for repairs. The lesson was huge: during the rainy season, don’t risk driving through deep water—if it’s more than half the tire height, take a detour; make sure to buy all the additional insurance, as water submersion coverage only costs a few hundred RMB per year; if the engine stalls in water, turn off the ignition immediately, don’t try to restart it, and call a tow truck to take it to a repair shop; when filing a claim, report in detail, take photos of the scene and the water level, and the insurance company might cover repair costs or partial replacement parts after verification. During regular maintenance, pay attention to the sealing and waterproofing of the engine compartment—it saves money and hassle.
I work in auto repair and deal with a lot of flood-damaged vehicles on a daily basis. Water ingress into the engine can cause serious damage: piston deformation or connecting rod bending, and emulsification of the oil system. Whether insurance covers it depends on if your policy includes the additional water damage coverage—basic comprehensive insurance usually doesn't cover it. If the engine stalls in water, don't restart it; immediately report it to the insurance company. They'll send an adjuster to assess whether the damage was directly caused by water ingress. If you restart the engine and worsen the problem, the claim might be denied. During evaluation, repair shops provide quotes for repairs like engine disassembly, cleaning, or part replacements, and the insurer verifies the payout. Remember to check the coverage of additional policies during annual renewal—don't skimp on this. When driving through waterlogged areas in rain, slow down; avoid water deeper than 30 cm to prevent bigger issues.
