How Does the Insurance Company Compensate for a Flooded Vehicle?
2 Answers
Once a vehicle is submerged in water, the owner must immediately call the insurance company to report the incident. If the insurance company cannot arrive at the scene in time, take photos of the scene and the vehicle's damage promptly while ensuring your safety for damage assessment. Both the insurance company and 4S shops offer towing and rescue services, but in severe weather, the owner may contact a rescue company independently for towing assistance. After reporting the incident, the insurance company will arrange for a staff member to contact the owner and conduct an on-site inspection nearby. During the inspection, the staff will photograph the vehicle's damage. The insurance company will verify the damaged parts of the vehicle and provide compensation according to the signed contract and the law.
Last year, my car was flooded, and I learned a lot from the experience. The insurance company handled the claim fairly smoothly, but the key is whether you have the right coverage. Nowadays, basic auto damage insurance usually includes flood protection, provided you don’t restart the engine in the water—otherwise, you might have to cover the loss yourself. When my car stalled in the water, I immediately called the police and reported it to the insurance company, without touching the ignition. After the water receded, the insurer sent someone to assess the damage. Since the engine wasn’t damaged by water ingress, they covered the full repair cost of 20,000 yuan. If the water rises above the dashboard, the car is basically totaled, and the insurance pays around 90% of the car’s current value. The whole process took about half a month, but remember to file a claim within 48 hours of the incident—delaying too long can complicate things. I recommend car owners regularly review their insurance policies to ensure flood coverage and get an evaluation before the summer rainy season to avoid unnecessary losses.
