Will insurance cover a car flooded by water?

[LilyLynn]

Insurance will provide compensation for vehicles damaged by flooding. Here is an introduction to insurance coverage for water-damaged vehicles: 1. Vehicle Damage Insurance: The comprehensive auto insurance reform, effective from 00:00 on September 19, 2020, expanded coverage to include theft, standalone glass breakage, spontaneous combustion, and deductible waiver. If the vehicle is deemed a total loss, the insurance company will compensate up to the insured amount of the vehicle damage insurance. 2. Water Wading Insurance: "Water Wading Insurance" is an additional coverage that cannot be purchased separately and must be added to the vehicle damage insurance. For those who have already purchased vehicle damage insurance, "Water Wading Insurance" can be added through the insurance company. This insurance has a 20% deductible rate, but if the deductible waiver is purchased for this coverage, 100% compensation can be obtained.

[LaElijah]

My old Sylphy got half its doors submerged during last year's rainy season, and it took forever to figure out whether insurance would cover it. If you only have compulsory traffic insurance, forget about it – you need comprehensive coverage for this. There are two critical scenarios: if the car is parked and gets flooded, you can usually get full compensation. My neighbor's Highlander had its engine replaced through insurance after being waterlogged in a parking lot. But if you drive into floodwaters, especially if the water's above the exhaust pipe and you stubbornly push forward, a secondary startup that ruins the engine will lead insurers to deny your claim citing improper operation. The repair guy told me – after wading through water, don't touch the ignition key. Immediately take a video showing license plates and water level, then file a claim within 48 hours. Now during monsoon season, I always park on elevated slopes under overpasses... learned this the hard way.

[SanKeegan]

Last typhoon day, my Wuling Hongguang turned into a submarine under the bridge. The handling process was as follows: First, I called the insurance company to report the claim. Their surveyor told me not to move the car and wait for the water to recede before arranging a tow truck. The car damage insurance covered the costs of electrical circuit cleaning and seat replacement, but it's important to note that separate engine damage requires additional waterlogging coverage. Fortunately, I didn't attempt to restart the engine, otherwise, water entering the cylinders would have been troublesome. During the claim settlement, the loss assessor determines the extent of damage based on the waterline: water reaching the carpet means repairing electrical components, while water above the dashboard might classify it as a total loss. At that time, I removed the seats and aired them out for half a month. Now during the rainy season, I always park my car on the top floor of the mall. It's recommended to immediately disconnect the battery cable after flooding and leave gaps in the car doors and windows for drainage and ventilation.

[StJoanna]

Regarding water-damaged vehicle claims, it mainly depends on the details of your insurance policy. Current auto damage insurance includes water-related liabilities, but engine repairs have special rules. The most typical case I handled: Old Zhang's Corolla stalled in flooded road conditions. He immediately reported to insurance without restarting the car, and eventually received 70,000 yuan in repair compensation. In contrast, Old Li's Accord encountered the same situation but couldn't resist restarting the engine, resulting in bent piston rods and complete claim denial. Three key reminders: Never attempt to restart the engine after water immersion; Immediately take panoramic video evidence; Insurance must be reported within 48 hours. A pro tip: When removing valuables from the car, record the process on video to avoid claim disputes.