How to Claim Insurance Compensation for a Flooded Car Without Purchasing Water Wading Insurance?
2 Answers
If the car owner only purchases vehicle damage insurance, when the car is flooded, they can only receive compensation for damages to parts other than the engine. The repair costs for engine damage must be covered by the car owner themselves. Here are methods to identify a flooded car or an accident-damaged car: 1. Check the car locks: Look for signs of being pried open, damaged, or filled with glue. Then use the key to open each door to see if the locks are from the same set and if each door lock can be turned easily. Note that if turning is very difficult, or the key almost breaks before the door opens, it might be due to flooding, causing the central control motor to rust and malfunction. 2. Engine compartment: Inspect the mounting brackets for the lighting and signal lamp groups in the engine compartment for breaks or looseness. Check the wire connectors and sockets; if they contain a lot of mud or show rust spots, it may indicate a flooded car. 3. Engine compartment inspection: Examine the wires and vacuum pipes on the engine body, and check for mud traces in the gaps between the high-voltage ignition coils and spark plugs. Assess whether the aging and cracking of the pipelines match the car's age and if the fuel injector is securely fixed. Rust on springs can also help determine the likelihood of the car being flooded.
I encountered a similar case last time where the car owner drove out during heavy rain and ended up with the vehicle submerged in water, without having purchased water ingress insurance. It's quite a tricky situation. Generally speaking, if standard car insurance doesn't include additional water ingress coverage, it's unlikely to cover engine damage due to water submersion. However, some insurers might still recognize partial claims under the comprehensive insurance for body flooding or interior damage. You should first carefully review your policy to confirm the coverage, then call your insurance company to file a claim, providing on-site photos and police reports—they might consider covering minor damages during the review. If the claim is entirely denied, you’ll have to pay for repairs out of pocket. My advice is to tow the car directly to a repair shop to dry out the systems and prevent parts from rusting. Next time during the rainy season, remember to avoid parking in low-lying areas to prevent this from happening again.
