Why Will Insurance Companies Deny Claims for Secondary Ignition?
3 Answers
Damage to the vehicle caused by human factors is not covered by insurance. Below is relevant information about secondary ignition: 1. Introduction: During water wading, if water blocks the air intake, causing the vehicle to stall, attempting to restart the engine is referred to as secondary ignition. 2. Precautions: It's important to note that even if the water on the road has receded, you should avoid attempting to restart the engine. This is because there may still be water in the intake pipe, and the electrical system may also malfunction after being submerged. It's best to contact a towing company. Do not try to save on towing fees at the risk of greater losses. When arranging for towing, clearly communicate to the staff that the vehicle stalled during water wading. For easier towing, the towing company may shift the gear to neutral. Without understanding the situation, they might attempt to start the engine, so it's crucial to explain the circumstances clearly.
I've encountered this situation before. The reason for the claim denial due to a second ignition attempt is primarily because the insurance company considers it a human operational error. After the car stalls for the first time, restarting it can easily draw water into the engine, causing the piston connecting rod to bend or even break. This type of damage could have been avoided with proper operation, so the insurance company categorizes it as 'aggravated loss,' which is not covered under the vehicle damage insurance. Moreover, insurance policies generally state that secondary ignition is prohibited after water immersion. Therefore, if we encounter a stall in water, it's crucial to stay calm—shifting to neutral and pushing the car or directly calling for a tow truck is the safest approach.
I've studied insurance cases, and the key to claim rejection lies in the determination of causation. Initial stalling after wading through water is considered an accidental incident, but a secondary ignition is equivalent to actively intervening and causing new damage. Engine water ingress repair costs can easily reach tens of thousands, and insurance companies will use the 'principle of proximate cause' to determine liability. Some policies explicitly exclude secondary ignition in their exemption clauses. I recommend that car owners take photos in advance for evidence and notify the insurance company immediately for record-keeping to reduce subsequent disputes.
