How to Claim Insurance for Water-Damaged Vehicles After Rain?
2 Answers
If the car owner only purchases vehicle damage insurance, when the vehicle is waterlogged, they can only receive compensation for damages to parts other than the engine, while the repair costs for engine damage must be borne by the owner themselves. If the car owner purchases the main vehicle damage insurance and additionally buys waterlogging insurance, the insurance company will cover all damages caused by waterlogging, including engine damage. Here are methods to identify water-damaged and accident vehicles: 1. Inspect the car locks: Check for signs of forced entry, damage, or glue injection. 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 water damage causing rust in the central control motor, leading to poor performance. 2. Engine compartment: Inspect the fixed brackets of the lighting and signal lamp groups in the engine compartment for breaks or looseness. Check the wiring connectors and sockets; if there is a lot of mud or rust spots inside, it may indicate a water-damaged vehicle. 3. Engine compartment assessment: Examine the wiring and vacuum pipes on the engine block, and check for mud traces in the gaps between the high-voltage ignition coils and spark plugs. Determine if the aging and cracking of pipes and wires match the vehicle's age, and check the fixation of the fuel injectors. Rust on springs can also help assess the likelihood of the vehicle being water-damaged.
Last time during the heavy rain, my car got flooded and I immediately called to report it to the insurance company, taking a few photos of the water level as evidence. Never try to start the engine again, otherwise the insurance won't cover the engine damage. Nowadays, car damage insurance includes compensation for water immersion, unlike before when you had to buy separate water-related coverage. The repair cost over twenty thousand yuan, and the insurance company directly transferred the money to the 4S shop's account. It's advisable to choose a reliable repair shop and replace all electronic components for peace of mind. During the rainy season, always avoid parking in low-lying areas. My neighbor's car, which got flooded last year, kept having issues after repairs and eventually had to be scrapped.
