Will Insurance Cover Water-Damaged Vehicles in Zhengzhou?
2 Answers
Insurance companies will compensate under the premise that the insured vehicle has collision coverage and the policy is valid. If the vehicle was parked and submerged in water, as long as the policy was issued after the comprehensive reform, the collision coverage includes engine water damage coverage, thus making it eligible for compensation. For policies issued before the comprehensive reform, there is a deductible waiver clause, and full compensation will be determined based on actual circumstances. Here are the relevant details: 1. Vehicle stalling due to water while driving: If the driver attempts to restart the engine (secondary ignition), causing engine damage, it will not be covered. Therefore, never attempt to restart the engine during water submersion. 2. Comprehensive auto insurance reform: The reform took effect at midnight on September 19, 2020. It added seven new coverage items to the existing policy, including theft, standalone glass breakage, spontaneous combustion, engine water damage, deductible waiver, designated repair shops, and coverage for cases where the third party cannot be identified.
I previously encountered a waterlogged car issue in Zhengzhou, and fortunately, I had purchased auto damage insurance. The insurance company quickly processed the claim. My car was submerged during the 2021 floods, and I immediately called the insurance company to report the incident. They sent someone to take photos and assess the damage. After confirming it was due to a natural disaster, they fully covered the repair costs. The whole process was quite smooth. I recommend that those who have auto damage insurance file a claim directly without worrying about payout issues. Even if you didn’t purchase additional water damage coverage, it’s fine—now, auto damage insurance includes flood damage, which is a benefit of the recent auto insurance reform. The key is to report the claim immediately and avoid moving the vehicle yourself to prevent affecting the damage assessment. Additionally, after the Zhengzhou floods, the insurance industry responded proactively, and the government introduced supportive policies. Just check your policy promptly, and after handling the claim, make sure to conduct a thorough vehicle inspection to prevent future issues.
