What Insurance Covers Water-Damaged Vehicles?
3 Answers
Only if you have purchased vehicle damage insurance will the insurance company compensate for water-damaged vehicles. In the event that a vehicle is submerged in water, a series of expenses incurred, such as cleaning costs, rescue fees, and electrical damage costs, all fall within the coverage scope of vehicle damage insurance. Below are relevant details: 1. Promptly file a claim with the insurance company: Upon discovering that your vehicle is submerged, you should immediately file a claim with the insurance company, informing the staff about the vehicle's specific location and the extent of water submersion. Meanwhile, the owner can take several photos of the submerged vehicle for later use in determining the extent of the vehicle's damage. 2. Do not attempt a secondary start: If the vehicle is submerged in water, do not attempt to start it again, as this may cause engine damage, for which the insurance company will not be liable for compensation. Unless you have purchased additional water ingress insurance, engine damage due to water submersion will not be covered.
The compensation for water-damaged vehicles mainly depends on the type of insurance. The current reformed auto damage insurance is the most effective, as it bundles the previously separate water ingress coverage. As long as you have this insurance, you can file a claim directly with the insurance company if your vehicle is flooded. However, never start the engine, as damages caused by secondary ignition are usually not covered. Last year, my friend's underground garage was flooded, and the auto damage insurance covered all costs, including engine repairs and full vehicle wiring cleanup, totaling over 40,000 yuan, all borne by the insurance. Remember to take photos for evidence immediately and contact a towing company to transport the vehicle to a repair shop—do not attempt to handle it yourself.
To claim compensation for a water-damaged car, you need the right insurance. The key is the vehicle damage insurance, which has included water-related losses since 2020. Other insurances like compulsory traffic insurance and third-party liability insurance do not cover water damage to your own vehicle. There are two scenarios for insurance compensation: if the water only reaches below the seats, the payout is generally based on the actual repair costs; if the water rises above the dashboard, the insurer may declare it a total loss and compensate based on the car's value. During heavy rain, avoid driving into low-lying areas. If your car does get flooded, don't attempt to restart it—I've seen cases where restarting the engine bent the piston rods, leading to insurance denial for engine damage. The safest approach is to have it towed to a 4S shop for damage assessment.
