How Much Can Be Claimed for a Fully Insured Car Submerged in Water?

[DeLiam]

A fully insured car submerged in water will be compensated by the insurance company for 80% of the actual loss. The relevant details are as follows: Claim Process for a Water-Damaged Car: First, report the incident. Once the vehicle is submerged, immediately call the insurance company to report the claim. Next, take photos. If the insurance surveyor cannot arrive promptly, the owner should take photos of the scene and the vehicle's damage safely for assessment and claims. Third, arrange for rescue. You can contact the insurance company for rescue services or a professional rescue company. Six Levels of Water Damage: Level 1: Water just reaches the vehicle's chassis. The floor may get damp, but significant water ingress is unlikely, and the impact on electrical equipment is minimal. Level 2: Water reaches halfway up the wheels. Due to the vehicle's incomplete sealing, water begins entering the interior. For lower cars, the water level may affect seat adjustment motors and heating/ventilation components. Level 3: Water almost fully submerges the tires. The interior water level will soak the seat cushions and center console, affecting numerous electrical components. Level 4: Water reaches the engine hood. The interior water level rises to the dashboard, and the headlights and engine intake pipes start taking in water. Level 5: Water completely submerges the engine hood. Almost all interior electrical components are affected. Level 6: Water submerges the roof. The ceiling and sunroof modules are impacted, and no interior component remains unaffected.

[DelOmar]

I once experienced my car being flooded, and whether comprehensive insurance covers it depends on the specific policy terms. Typically, the vehicle damage insurance under comprehensive coverage will compensate for non-engine parts, such as soaked seats or water-damaged electronic devices, with the amount calculated based on the depreciated value of your coverage. However, if the engine is damaged, you’d need separate wading insurance to claim. Last time my car got flooded, the insurer inspected it and said the engine was fine, so they covered about 10,000 yuan for interior repairs. But if the engine was damaged due to restarting after wading, they wouldn’t pay a penny. Always report the claim immediately, take photos for evidence, and never move the car before the inspection.

[LaAthena]

Comprehensive insurance doesn't cover everything for water-damaged vehicles. It mainly depends on whether you've purchased the additional wading insurance. The vehicle damage insurance only covers losses other than the engine, such as moldy carpets or burnt dashboards. The insurance company will compensate based on the depreciated value of the car at the time. For example, my relative's water-damaged car received 20,000 yuan in compensation, but since the car was 10 years old, only 50% of its residual value was considered. Engine water damage is an additional insurance item; you need to buy separate wading insurance for coverage, and the repair costs won't exceed the actual value of the vehicle. During the claims process, the loss assessor will dismantle the car for evaluation. Cars submerged up to the dashboard level are often declared a total loss and handled as scrap directly.

[DelRemington]

Comprehensive insurance coverage for water damage depends on the situation: The vehicle damage insurance covers non-engine parts, such as short circuits in the electrical system or damaged seats due to water immersion. Engine damage requires separate purchase of water ingress insurance to be covered. The compensation amount is calculated based on the insured amount of the vehicle damage insurance at the time of purchase, minus depreciation. If the engine is damaged due to restarting the vehicle after water ingress, the insurance company will refuse to compensate in all cases. Last year, my colleague drove into water during heavy rain and, without water ingress insurance, only received 18,000 yuan for interior repairs, while the engine repair cost 4,000 yuan out of pocket. When handling such incidents, remember to report to the insurance company first, take photos, and avoid touching the keys.