What is PICC's standard for assessing water-damaged vehicles?
2 Answers
According to the vehicle's water submersion height level, water submersion time level, water ingress status, new vehicle purchase price, and other comprehensive considerations. Specific details are as follows: Precautions during the assessment process: Remind customers not to start the vehicle before repairs. After repairs, the vehicle must be tested and confirmed before test driving. Avoid engine damage caused by water ingress into the intake system. Water-damaged vehicles have high time sensitivity and should be handled promptly by immediately cutting off the power supply, performing timely rescue, disassembling and cleaning, and contacting a professional electrical equipment repair organization for on-site unified treatment. Special component precautions: ABS pumps and ABS sensors are generally not damaged by water submersion and do not need replacement; spark plugs can be cleaned; catalytic converters generally do not need replacement if water enters—after repairing the vehicle, simply start the engine normally and use exhaust gas to dry and expel the internal water.
I've consulted on several water-damaged vehicle claims, and PICC's assessment criteria for water damage primarily categorize the severity based on water level height. For instance, water reaching just the wheel chassis is considered minor damage, usually requiring only interior cleaning. If the water reaches the seats or dashboard, it becomes more critical, potentially involving inspections of the engine and electrical systems. Once the water submerges the roof, the vehicle is typically declared a total loss. Their damage assessment team conducts on-site inspections, checking for mud, wire corrosion, or damage to computer modules, then combines this with the vehicle's age and market value to decide whether to cover repair costs or offer a buyout. I advise vehicle owners to immediately take photos or videos as evidence and avoid starting the car to prevent further damage. The process emphasizes attention to detail, as water damage often hides latent issues—like a flooded alternator that might fail months later—so the evaluation is very thorough.
