Is Water Damage to Vehicles Covered by Insurance?
2 Answers
Whether a vehicle can be covered by insurance after being submerged in water mainly depends on the following situations: 1. Vehicle submerged while parked: If the vehicle is parked in a low-lying area such as an underground garage and the owner has purchased vehicle damage insurance, it can generally be covered. If the water damage is severe and the vehicle is totaled, there will be some compensation for the total loss, minus normal depreciation. 2. Vehicle submerged while driving: If the owner drives the vehicle into water and has purchased water damage insurance, the claim can be covered. If the water damage insurance does not include a waiver of deductible, there will be a 20% deductible; if it does, full compensation will be provided. Without water damage insurance, the insurer will compensate for damages except for the engine. 3. Vehicle stalls due to water submersion while driving: Do not attempt to restart the vehicle forcefully. If the vehicle is restarted, the insurer may refuse the claim, and all resulting damages will be the owner's responsibility.
It was a rainy day. As I drove through a waterlogged section, water suddenly entered and damaged the engine. The repair cost me several thousand yuan. I initially thought my insurance would cover it all, but when I filed a claim, I learned that the basic vehicle damage insurance doesn’t cover water-related damage—you need to purchase a separate waterlogging add-on for that. Later, upon reviewing my policy, I realized that water damage claims depend on the specific coverage, and without it, you’re on your own. Never attempt to restart the engine after water ingress, as it could lead to claim denial. Since that lesson, I’ve added waterlogging coverage before every rainy season and remind my friends to carefully review their auto insurance terms to avoid wasting money like I did. Daily precautions are also crucial: drive slowly through water, take photos immediately if something happens, and contact your insurance advisor right away.
