Will Insurance Cover Engine Damage from Restarting After Water Ingestion?
3 Answers
Insurance will not cover engine damage caused by restarting after water ingestion. Below is an introduction to water ingress insurance: Definition of water ingress insurance: Also known as auto loss insurance or engine special loss insurance, different insurance companies may use varying terms but the essence remains the same. This is a newly derived type of insurance, referring to an additional coverage that car owners can purchase specifically for the engine. Purpose of water ingress insurance: It primarily provides compensation for engine damage caused by driving through waterlogged roads or being submerged in water. However, if the engine is forcibly restarted after being submerged, resulting in damage, the insurance company will not provide compensation.
I've driven all my life and seen many similar situations. Insurance companies generally don't cover engine damage from restarting after water ingress—they see it as the owner's fault, not an act of nature. Last year, my neighbor Lao Li's car stalled in floodwater. In his panic, he tried restarting it, which seized the engine. The insurer checked the records and denied the claim, citing his mistake as the cause of amplified damage. This rule is common, so if your car stalls in water, don't attempt to restart it. Park safely and call for help immediately to avoid footing hefty repair bills. Always review your policy details—some flood coverage excludes restart attempts. Good habits prevent costly lessons.
As a member of the post-80s generation, I tend to research insurance knowledge when driving. If the engine gets flooded and is restarted, the insurance may likely refuse to cover the damage, as many policies explicitly state this as an exclusion clause. The principle is that starting the engine after water ingress can cause a water hammer effect, damaging the pistons or connecting rods, which is considered the owner's fault rather than force majeure. I personally experienced this once—after driving through water on a slippery post-rain road, I didn’t restart the engine, and the insurance covered all the costs. However, a friend impulsively tried to restart it and suffered significant losses. My advice is to stay calm in such situations: if the car is waterlogged, take photos for evidence, call a tow truck or a repair shop immediately, and avoid hasty actions. Regularly review your car insurance policy, as additional water-related coverage might not help in this scenario. Safe driving is the real money-saver.
