What is the standard for a water-damaged car to be declared a total loss?
2 Answers
Water-damaged vehicles with a repair cost exceeding 50% of the car's value are recommended to be declared a total loss. Below are methods to identify a water-damaged car: 1. Smell the interior: Check for a musty odor inside the car. Water-damaged cars often have a musty smell in hidden areas like the floor mats, trunk mats, and under the seats, which is difficult to eliminate and usually leaves evidence. If you detect a musty smell, be cautious. Also, be wary if the car smells overly fragrant, as this might be an attempt to mask the musty odor. 2. Inspect hidden parts of the vehicle: Check for rust or signs of replacement on screws in hidden areas. Pull the seats out to see if there is rust or sand in the tracks. Extend the seatbelt fully to check for water stains or dirt at the end.
I've seen too many flood-damaged cars at repair shops before, and the water level is a hard indicator. If the water reaches above the dashboard, it's basically considered a total loss because the engine, electrical circuits, and airbag control module are all submerged. The insurance company will assess the repair costs—if the repair expenses exceed 50%-80% of the car's current market value, it will be declared a total loss. Another scenario is when the car has been submerged for too long, like sitting in water for over a day. Even if the water level wasn't very high, the seats and carpets would all develop mold, and the repair shop would advise you to just scrap it. Once, I encountered an owner who insisted on repairing a used car that had been completely submerged. Half a year later, all the wiring had corroded, and the AC blew out nothing but a musty smell—the repair costs ended up being enough to buy a new car. The key is to check how the insurance policy defines the total loss criteria.
