
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 promptly, the owner should take photos of the scene and the vehicle's damage as soon as possible while ensuring their own safety. Both the insurance company and 4S shops offer towing and rescue services.

I just encountered a flood in Zhengzhou, and my car was also waterlogged. Dealing with it requires careful attention. First, don't rush to start the engine—if water has entered, forcing it to start could ruin the engine. You need to first assess the water level; if it only reached halfway up the wheels, repairs might still be possible, but if it exceeded the cabin, consider scrapping the car. Quickly contact your insurance company to file a claim, bringing along photos of the scene and your vehicle documents—they will arrange for a tow truck to take it for repairs. Once at the repair shop, the mechanic will thoroughly clean the interior and dry out the systems to prevent mold and rust. If the damage is too severe, such as issues with the circuit board, don't insist on repairs—just scrap it and get a new car parked on higher ground. With more rainy seasons now, it's advisable to park your car in a high garage or install waterproofing equipment to avoid repeating the same mistake. Throughout the process, safety comes first—don't delay handling it.

With decades of car repair experience, I've seen plenty of flood-damaged vehicles in Zhengzhou. The key to handling flood-damaged cars is thorough cleaning and systematic inspection: After the exterior dries, manually remove mud and stains first; Internally, remove seats and carpets for drying—avoid using hair dryers to prevent short circuits; Check the braking system and engine components, as water immersion can cause rust and oil leaks, necessitating replacement of fluids and parts. Electronic systems are particularly sensitive—components like headlight control modules must be tested and replaced if faulty; Airbags may also fail and require professional assessment. After repairs, test drive on safe roads to check for unusual noises or leaks. Finally, a reminder: repairing flood-damaged cars can be costly, sometimes making timely scrapping a more economical and worry-free option.

As an environmental enthusiast, I'm concerned about the environmental risks of flood-damaged vehicle disposal. After the Zhengzhou floods, many cars were submerged. During disposal, it's crucial to prevent battery fluid or oil leaks from contaminating soil and water sources. I recommend using certified recycling centers for professional dismantling, where hazardous materials like coolant can be properly recycled. For mildly flooded vehicles, reusable parts should be cleaned and repurposed to minimize waste. Severely damaged vehicles should be scrapped for metal recycling. Let's avoid unauthorized dismantling and roadside dumping, and support green disposal methods to reduce our carbon footprint.

In the insurance industry, dealing with flood-damaged vehicles relies on claims. Immediately take photos to document the water damage location and time, call the insurance company to report and provide proof documents; they will send someone to assess the damage and determine repair or total loss value; comprehensive insurance may cover repair costs or total vehicle write-off; be careful not to conceal details to avoid fraud denial; do not drive the car before repairs to prevent accidents; afterwards, enhance flood coverage when choosing insurance.


