What is the total loss standard for flood-damaged vehicles?
1 Answers
The standard for declaring a flood-damaged vehicle as a total loss is when the vehicle is completely destroyed and cannot be repaired, or the cost of repairs reaches or exceeds the actual value of the vehicle. Hazards of flood-damaged vehicles: They can cause damage to the electronic control systems inside the car. The mixed rainwater is highly corrosive and can affect the functionality of electrical components, especially in future use. Most cars are equipped with electronic control systems (e.g., engine ECU, ABS system, SRS system, GPS navigation, etc.). If water enters, it can cause short circuits in the ECU's internal IC circuit board and rust on connector terminals, gradually leading to corrosion of metal parts and poor circuit contact. In severe cases, it may even cause short circuits and burning. Interior components such as carpets and seats may deform, become rough, and develop odors due to prolonged soaking, leading to bacterial growth. Moisture in the wiring harness under the carpets can cause short circuits due to dampness. How to identify flood-damaged vehicles: After cleaning, it is not easy to identify a flood-damaged vehicle from its exterior appearance. Flood-damaged vehicles mainly undergo repairs for water-damaged components, rarely involving bodywork. For example, if the headlights or taillights are waterlogged, they are either replaced or drained. Similarly, water inside the car is removed, and soaked components are disassembled and dried or simply aired out. However, flood-damaged vehicles are relatively easy to distinguish because they often emit a musty smell even after thorough cleaning. The trunk is a key area—if there is significant rust, it likely indicates water damage.
