Why is a second ignition not covered for water-damaged vehicles?
4 Answers
Water-damaged vehicles are not covered for a second ignition because it causes engine damage, which falls under the exclusion clauses of the auto damage insurance. Below are the specific details about auto damage insurance: 1. Definition of Auto Damage Insurance: Auto damage insurance is a type of commercial vehicle insurance where the insurer compensates within a reasonable range for damages to the insured vehicle caused by an insured accident while being driven by the policyholder or an authorized driver. 2. Coverage of Auto Damage Insurance: Auto damage insurance generally covers losses to the insured vehicle caused by natural disasters such as lightning, storms, heavy rain, floods, and accidents like collisions and overturns, as well as related rescue expenses.
Insurance companies generally don't cover second ignition of water-damaged vehicles because it's considered additional damage caused by human operational error. With over a decade of auto repair experience, I've seen many cases: when starting a flooded vehicle, the engine sucks water into the cylinders. Since water can't be compressed, piston movement creates hydraulic lock (water hammer effect), directly bending or breaking connecting rods and causing complete engine failure. This damage isn't caused by the flooding itself, but by the deliberate ignition attempt. Insurance policies clearly state they only cover natural disaster-related primary damage, not human-aggravated losses. The correct procedure for waterlogged vehicles is: don't start the engine, disconnect the battery negative terminal to prevent short circuits, then call a tow truck for professional inspection. Paying attention to insurance details can save big money - safety first, don't take risks.
My daughter encountered a similar situation while driving - her car got flooded during a community storm. She didn't know better and attempted to start the engine once, resulting in the insurance claim being denied. Later, through my research, I understood the insurer's rationale: a second ignition attempt allows water to seep into the engine internals, triggering a chain reaction that damages critical components. This constitutes an avoidable operator error. Insurance policies typically specify coverage only for accidental events like the initial impact of storm flooding, excluding subsequent human factors. My advice is to immediately cut all power after water immersion, avoid starting the vehicle, clean exterior mud with wet cloths, then have it towed for repairs. Handling such minor incidents properly prevents additional losses.
Starting a flooded car is asking for trouble. The moment you ignite, water enters the engine and destroys everything. Insurance companies will immediately deny the claim, as they consider this self-inflicted damage rather than an accident. When dealing with it, avoid touching the engine; towing it away directly saves both hassle and money. Regularly browsing car forums to learn from others' experiences is always a good practice.
