Will insurance cover engine water damage without wading insurance?

[Rudy]

If the engine is flooded without wading insurance but the vehicle has comprehensive insurance, the insurance company will not compensate because the comprehensive insurance clause clearly states that engine damage caused by water ingress is an exclusion. In July 2020, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission issued guidelines for comprehensive auto insurance reform. After the reform was officially implemented, the main coverage of comprehensive insurance includes wading insurance liability. At that time, if the engine is flooded without wading insurance but with comprehensive insurance, the insurance will cover it. Compensation conditions: (1) If the engine of the insured vehicle is damaged due to the following reasons while being used by the insured or their legally permitted driver, the insurer will compensate according to the insurance contract: 1. During heavy rain or flooding, the insured vehicle's exhaust pipe or intake pipe is submerged, and the driver continues to start the vehicle or uses inertia to start the vehicle; 2. After heavy rain or flooding, the vehicle is started without necessary treatment. (2) In the event of an accident covered by this additional insurance, the insurer will compensate for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by the insured or their representative to prevent or reduce the loss of the insured vehicle through rescue and protective measures. The maximum compensation amount for this expense is limited to the insured amount of the vehicle loss insurance.

[OClaire]

I once drove through a heavy rainstorm and ended up with water in my engine. Fortunately, I had purchased water ingress insurance, so the insurance company covered the repair costs. But if I hadn’t bought this additional coverage, they probably wouldn’t have paid, because standard auto insurance mainly covers collisions and similar accidents—water damage falls under natural disasters or driver error, which aren’t included. Engine repairs aren’t cheap; even minor fixes can cost 5,000 to 6,000 yuan. Without extra coverage, the owner would have to pay out of pocket. I recommend adding water ingress insurance when buying auto insurance—it’s only a few hundred yuan a year and super useful during heavy rains or floods. Also, when driving through standing water, go slow and avoid forcing your way through deep water to reduce risks. If something does happen, take photos quickly and report it. Safety first, always.

[OAdeline]

From an insurance perspective, here's the thing: If you didn't specifically purchase the additional water damage coverage, the insurance company is unlikely to compensate for engine damage caused by water ingress, as standard auto damage insurance clauses typically don't cover water-related losses. The water damage rider is an extra purchase specifically designed for such submersion failures - without it, you're out of luck. Once water damage occurs, checking your policy after the fact (as I've experienced) is too late, so prevention is key - carefully review your auto insurance details when purchasing, and ideally add water damage coverage before the rainy season. Also, don't rush to repair the vehicle immediately after an incident; first contact your insurer to report the situation and document photo evidence, as they may have some exceptional clauses. Daily driving tips: detour around standing water or wait for it to recede - these are practical lessons gathered from fellow car enthusiasts.

[McRyder]

I've repaired many similar cases before where the car owners didn't purchase water damage insurance and their engines got flooded. They basically had to pay for the repairs themselves as insurance wouldn't cover it. The reason is simple: standard insurance covers collisions but not water-related incidents. Just one water intrusion can damage engine components, and the cost of replacing new parts is shockingly high, starting from at least seven or eight thousand yuan. That's why I always remind drivers to go slowly through puddles, avoid sudden acceleration to prevent water from backflowing into the exhaust pipe. Additionally, regularly checking the vehicle's underbody seals can prevent problems before they occur. If you haven't bought additional coverage, don't risk driving through deep water – you'll have to bear all repair costs yourself, which is quite a loss.

[StEzra]

When I was learning to drive, my instructor told me that standard car insurance doesn't cover engine damage from water submersion unless you have additional flood coverage. Online research confirmed this—basic insurance only covers general accidents. Last year, a friend's car got flooded, costing over 10,000 yuan to repair the engine, which he had to pay out of pocket. When I bought insurance, I specifically asked and found out flood coverage is an extra add-on for water damage protection, so I made sure to get it. When encountering flooded roads, it's best to slow down, pull over, or detour—don't push your luck. This lesson makes new drivers more cautious while saving money and hassle.