How Will Insurance Handle a Water-Damaged Vehicle That Was Restarted?
3 Answers
Insurance company staff will arrive at the scene to take photos and assess the damage of the water-damaged vehicle to facilitate subsequent insurance claims. Depending on the situation, a certain percentage of compensation will be provided. Vehicles with water damage insurance can receive claims from the insurance company for damages caused by water immersion. If the owner restarts the vehicle after it stalls in water, causing engine damage, the insurance company will refuse the claim.
I experienced this last year. After driving through floodwater during a heavy rainstorm, my car stalled. In a panic, I tried to restart it once, which resulted in the engine being completely ruined. When I contacted the insurance company, they said that the second attempt to start the car was considered a human error and not covered under the policy. I had to pay out of pocket for the repairs, which cost me several thousand. Later, I learned that once a vehicle stalls in water, you should never attempt to restart it. Water entering the engine causes internal damage, and insurance typically only covers natural flood damage. Now, I make it a habit to regularly review my vehicle's water damage insurance policy. I recommend everyone develop this habit—if you encounter such a situation, disconnect the battery, push the car, or call for a tow truck. Don’t try to restart it just to save trouble. Safe driving is the top priority. This incident taught me to stay calm in water-related situations and prioritize prevention to avoid regret and unnecessary expenses later.
As an ordinary person who drives frequently, my approach to dealing with a waterlogged car is not to rush into restarting it. Once, a friend's car stalled after driving through water, and when he restarted it, the engine was damaged. The insurance company directly denied the claim, citing "human-induced damage" as the reason. Since then, I've learned my lesson: after driving through water, turn off the engine immediately, don't touch the key, and either push the car or wait for rescue. During regular maintenance, check the drainage holes and seals to reduce the risk of water accumulation. Regarding insurance, many basic policies only cover natural disasters, not accidents caused by human restarting, so ask about additional clauses when purchasing insurance. Overall, protecting your car and wallet comes down to not acting impulsively—towing costs a few dozen dollars but can save thousands in repairs, which is worth it!
