How to Deal with Insurance for a Water-Damaged Vehicle Restarted Twice?

[DanteLee]

Call a repair shop or your insurance company to have the vehicle towed to the repair shop, and pay for the repairs. Insurance companies refuse to compensate for damages caused by restarting the vehicle twice after water submersion, so all expenses must be covered out of pocket. Moreover, due to the second restart, even after the engine is repaired, its lifespan will be significantly reduced, and the likelihood of future malfunctions is also very high.

[VioletMarie]

Last time I encountered this situation, looking back it was really scary. Never force a second start after driving through water, as water entering the engine can cause catastrophic damage. Remember to first check the battery and wiring, as water exposure can easily lead to short circuits or blown fuses. I recommend removing the spark plugs and manually attempting to drain any accumulated water, otherwise attempting to start with excessive water can damage the pistons. Then there's the insurance issue - many insurers will deny claims if you restart the engine after water ingress, citing improper operation. So never take matters into your own hands; immediately call for a tow truck to take the vehicle to a professional repair shop. For daily parking during rainy weather, avoid low-lying areas - prevention is more cost-effective than repair. Above all, safety comes first - don't cut corners and ruin your beloved vehicle.

[DiMaddox]

As someone who frequently repairs water-damaged vehicles, the two biggest fears during a secondary startup are water entering the engine and electrical circuit burnouts. After wading through water, if the intake gets blocked or wiring gets soaked, forcing a startup will definitely cause major trouble. My advice is: don't rush to turn the key. First, use a wrench to check if there's water in the air filter - if found, disassemble and clean it thoroughly. Then inspect the fuse box, as wading often causes relay or fuse blowouts; try replacing the corresponding headlight or starter fuse. If all else fails, you'll need a complete engine disassembly to check for piston water accumulation. Regarding insurance, if your wading depth didn't exceed the manual's limit, the insurer might cover partial repair costs - but keep photos of the scene and submit diagnostic reports. After repairs, perform regular exhaust pipe maintenance to prevent rust.

[ORicardo]

I was really worried when my car wouldn't start after driving through water. My friend told me not to act recklessly. A second attempt to start is too risky as water entering the engine could total it. My steps are simple: first, wait an hour to let the water settle, then slowly push the car to level ground. Check all electrical plugs to ensure they're dry—driving through water can easily cause short circuits leading to blown fuses. I've replaced a few fuses myself to fix the issue. Be cautious with insurance; claims might be denied if you report after attempting to start the car, so I only dared to have it towed away. For daily prevention, seal door gaps with silicone to reduce water ingress. After repairing a water-damaged car, change the oil frequently to prevent internal rusting.