Is it necessary to purchase auto water damage insurance separately?
2 Answers
Auto water damage insurance is an additional coverage that cannot be purchased independently. It must be added to basic insurance policies (such as third-party liability insurance, vehicle damage insurance, and compulsory traffic liability insurance). Here is some extended information: 1. Vehicle water damage insurance: This refers to coverage where the policyholder purchases water damage insurance (an additional coverage) for the engine. If the insured vehicle's engine is damaged due to driving through waterlogged roads or being submerged, compensation will be provided. Additional coverages include comprehensive theft insurance, standalone glass breakage insurance, vehicle downtime loss insurance, spontaneous combustion insurance, and water damage insurance. 2. There is a common exclusion clause in water damage insurance: If the engine is forcibly started after being submerged, causing damage, the insurance company will not provide compensation. 3. Auto insurance is mainly divided into two categories: basic insurance and additional coverage. Basic insurance includes third-party liability insurance, vehicle damage insurance, and compulsory traffic liability insurance; additional coverage includes theft insurance, glass insurance, spontaneous combustion insurance, water damage insurance, etc.
The waterlogging insurance needs to be purchased separately, and I've figured out quite a few tricks after driving for over a decade. The basic car damage insurance covers collisions and natural disasters, but it doesn't include engine water ingress or electrical damage from submersion. Waterlogging insurance is an additional coverage that requires extra payment. Commonly, insurance companies refer to it as special engine loss insurance or waterlogging supplementary coverage. Living in the southern region with frequent rainy seasons, where road flooding is common in summer, not purchasing this coverage could result in repair costs exceeding tens of thousands if the car gets submerged. For example, last year during a typhoon, a friend's car stalled in water, and without waterlogging insurance, the insurer refused to cover the hefty engine repair bill. I suggest car owners decide based on their city or usual routes: if you often pass through low-lying or flood-prone areas, the premium is affordable, ranging from tens to hundreds a year—buying it is just for peace of mind. When purchasing, carefully review the terms; the water depth limit for claims is usually half the tire height or a specified level to ensure smooth compensation.
