What to Do When Your Car is Flooded in an Underground Parking Lot?
4 Answers
Assess the extent of water damage to the vehicle. Below are specific steps to handle a flooded car: 1. First, evaluate the water level. If the water is not too deep—less than two-thirds of the car's tire height and not reaching the exhaust pipe—it indicates no immediate safety threat. You can drive the car out along a safe route. 2. If the water level exceeds the exhaust pipe and enters the vehicle, do not start the engine. Starting the engine can cause severe damage, and insurance companies may deny coverage. Immediately call for roadside assistance and contact your insurance provider to file a claim. Even if you haven't purchased flood insurance, the insurer may cover non-engine damages. Engine damage is only covered if you have flood insurance. 3. While waiting for assistance, take photos of the flooded car from all angles to facilitate the claims process.
My last experience of having my car flooded in the underground garage was absolutely awful. First step - never try to start the engine! Attempting to start in water could completely destroy the engine. Immediately remove the key, exit the vehicle, and take photos/videos. Make sure to clearly capture the waterline position, especially photographing the license plate and dashboard height - these are crucial evidence for insurance assessment. If the car is deeply submerged, many electronic components will suffer water damage with hidden risks. After my flood incident, I spent over 3,000 yuan replacing carpets and interior trim, plus had to remove seats for two days of drying to eliminate mildew smell. Remember to contact your insurance company immediately to file a claim - they'll send an adjuster to inspect. Also, the garage property management may share liability, so request their surveillance footage as evidence. Later, let the insurance company arrange the towing - don't try handling it yourself.
Hey, my cousin just went through the same situation! If your car's flooded, whatever you do - don't try starting it. Even the battery can short circuit when submerged. Immediately call 122 to get traffic police to issue a "Water Immersion Certificate" - this document is golden for insurance claims. When filming the flooded area with your phone, remember to capture surrounding landmarks like markings on nearby pillars. Stay present during the 4S shop's damage assessment - my cousin's car had a waterlogged ECU that wasn't initially detected. Flood-damaged cars lose half their resale value, so document everything now with photos. You'll need full repair records to prove the car's condition when selling later. Include official storm proof from the meteorological bureau in your claim materials. If the property management failed to notify residents to move vehicles promptly, they might share liability.
Oh my god, a flooded basement is a nightmare for cars! Remember to turn off the main power first—operating switches in standing water is extremely dangerous. My best friend’s car grew mushrooms just three days after being submerged, so call a tow truck immediately and take it to the 4S shop to remove the seats. Nowadays, repair shops use ultrasonic detectors to locate water ingress in wiring, otherwise, the car locks might start malfunctioning randomly six months later—super scary. When dismantling and drying the interior, make sure to separately dry the ECU (engine control unit), as replacing a water-damaged one costs 8,000 RMB. Pay special attention to the AC ducts, or else turning on the heater will fill the car with a muddy stench. Also, submerged airbags may fail, so after repairs, it’s best to scan the entire car for error codes with a diagnostic tool. Three months later, remove the spare tire compartment and check—water can hide there for half a year.
