How to Claim Compensation for a Car Washed Away by Water?

[LunaDella]

Bring the car owner's ID card, vehicle license, proof of lost license plate, and motor vehicle registration certificate, and drive the vehicle to the vehicle management office. The traffic police will make a rubbing of the vehicle's number. If it's a company vehicle with a stolen license plate, also bring the organization code certificate. The car owner needs to pry off the remaining license plate, then fill out two forms. After completing the forms, submit them along with the license plate to the license plate replacement window. First, receive a temporary motor vehicle license plate and replacement procedures, valid for one month. Use the temporary license plate to collect a new set of replacement license plates at the vehicle management office. Be sure to keep the temporary license plate safe in case of inspection by traffic police during duty.

[MacRonan]

A few days ago, I heard in a car owners' group that a guy's car was swept away by a flood, leaving him in a panic. In such cases, the car damage insurance can cover the loss, provided you have commercial insurance. Remember to call 110 immediately to file a police report and obtain an accident certificate, which is crucial. Then, contact your insurance company within 48 hours to report the claim. They will investigate the scene and weather records to confirm the loss was caused by a natural disaster. Based on my experience, the insurance company will eventually compensate you based on the market value of your car at the time, but they will deduct depreciation. My neighbor's car was destroyed by heavy rain last year, and he received the compensation after about 20 days, though the depreciation deduction was quite hefty, making it a bit of a loss. Also, remember to keep your car keys and vehicle registration ready, as they will be needed during the claims process.

[SanKiara]

As someone who has handled over a dozen flood-damaged vehicle claims, here are some practical tips to share. The primary requirement is that the vehicle must have comprehensive insurance coverage, as compulsory traffic insurance doesn't cover this. The claims process involves three steps: first, call 122 to report the incident and obtain an accident certificate; then contact your insurance company to arrange for an adjuster; finally, submit documents like ID card and bank card details. Pay special attention to how the vehicle's actual value is calculated - insurers assess it based on purchase price, years of use, and pre-accident condition. For example, a three-year-old vehicle typically retains only 60-70% of its original value. If declared a total loss, compensation will be directly deposited into your account. It's advisable to keep photos of the flood scene as evidence.

[Ruiz]

The key to this issue lies in the insurance policy terms. Under the coverage of vehicle damage insurance, losses caused by heavy rain or floods should be compensated. However, it must be due to natural disasters; intentional driving into flooded areas won't be covered. The process requires promptly contacting the insurance company for damage assessment and providing disaster certification issued by traffic police. Compensation is calculated based on the vehicle's depreciated value at the time of the incident. For example, a car originally worth 200,000 yuan might only receive about 100,000 yuan after five years of use. The vehicle wreckage becomes the property of the insurance company, even if the car is later found downstream. Remember to deregister the license plate promptly to avoid future complications.

[OGemma]

Last typhoon day over a dozen cars in our neighborhood were washed away, key lessons summarized. First check if you have comprehensive car insurance, this is the claim basis. When reporting the accident, accurately describe the location and time, preferably attaching parking photos before the vehicle was washed away. The insurance company will appoint a third party to assess the vehicle's residual value, typically calculated as new car price multiplied by depreciation coefficient. For example, a 5-year-old sedan may get about 50% of original price compensation, SUVs possibly higher. Average claim processing takes 3-4 weeks, you can request expedited handling if urgent. After successful claim, remember to complete vehicle deregistration procedures.