What to Do If Your Car Gets Flooded in a Heavy Rain?
4 Answers
Here are the solutions if your car gets flooded in a heavy rain: 1. Auto Damage Insurance: If your car is flooded and you have purchased auto damage insurance, and the car is in a stationary state, call the insurance company. Even if you haven't purchased waterlogging insurance, you can still receive compensation. 2. Engine Water Ingress: Do not start the car. Forcibly igniting the engine will cause damage to it. Here is some extended information about water-damaged cars: 1. Specific Definition of a Water-Damaged Car: A vehicle begins to accumulate water, and internal components are damaged due to the water. Water-damaged cars also have corresponding flood levels. 2. Classification of Water-Damaged Car Flood Levels: Flood level 1: Water just reaches the vehicle's chassis. Flood level 2: Water reaches half of the wheels. Flood level 3: Water almost completely submerges the tires. Flood level 4: Water reaches the engine hood. Flood level 5: Water completely submerges the engine hood. Flood level 6: Water submerges the car roof.
I've been driving for over a decade, and what I fear most is encountering flooded roads during heavy rain. The first thing you must do when water enters your car is to turn off the engine and cut the power. Starting a waterlogged engine will definitely total it. When the water reaches halfway up the wheels, it's time to abandon the car—using a safety hammer to break the window is faster than trying to force the door open. After escaping, avoid touching any electronic devices, not even the radio, to prevent short circuits. Quickly call for rescue and a tow truck, and remember to take photos of the scene for your insurance company. Once the car is towed out, don't believe in folk remedies like drying it in the sun—flood-damaged cars must go to a professional repair shop to remove and dry carpets and seats, and treat rusted parts. Repair costs for water damage to the transmission or control modules can be very high, and without comprehensive insurance, the losses can be substantial. When parking in the rain, avoid downhill roads and underpasses, and always keep window-breaking tools in your car for safety.
I've repaired too many flood-damaged cars, and it's heartbreaking to see owners waste their money. The most fatal mistake with a waterlogged car is attempting a second start—if water enters the engine cylinders and you force ignition, the connecting rods will bend instantly, costing at least tens of thousands in repairs. If the water reaches dashboard level, the entire wiring harness must be replaced, and the A/C blower motor will develop strange noises after being submerged. After escaping the water, immediately disconnect the battery negative terminal to prevent short circuits, and request a full flatbed tow truck for transport. During repairs, insist that mechanics remove and inspect the seat bases—sensors underneath are prone to failure when soaked. If the carpet isn't removed and dried thoroughly, the chassis will start rusting through within three months. Remember to record a video from exterior to interior as evidence for the insurance adjuster.
After my car was submerged in the last heavy rain, I learned some painful lessons. When the water just reached the bottom edge of the door, I immediately turned off the engine and pushed the door open to escape—don’t hesitate, as the water level rises incredibly fast in those critical seconds. After escaping, I promptly sent my WeChat location to the insurance company to file a claim and saved watermarked photos of the scene to the cloud. The repair shop’s disassembly revealed that cars submerged above the dashboard are essentially totaled—corrosion in the steering column and brake lines can make repair costs exceed the car’s value. Even replacing all electronic components won’t stop subsequent fault codes from frequently appearing, so for safety reasons, it’s better to go straight for the scrapping process. Remember to remove the license plate and take it with you, and make a rubbing of the VIN to facilitate the insurance company’s cancellation. Without flood insurance, you’ll have to bear the losses yourself—definitely review your insurance policy before the rainy season.
