Will the insurance company cover the damage caused by a secondary engine start after water submersion?
2 Answers
If the vehicle's engine is damaged due to the owner's unauthorized secondary ignition after water submersion, the insurance company will not provide compensation. Precautions after a car has been submerged in water: 1. Pass through at low speed: When driving through water, in addition to maintaining a low speed, try to avoid stopping, shifting gears, releasing the throttle, or accelerating. You should pass through steadily at a low gear with moderate to high throttle, rather than speeding through and splashing large waves or water. 2. Do not start immediately: If the car stalls in water, do not attempt to restart it immediately. Instead, take measures to tow the car to a safe location with less water as soon as possible. Engine water submersion is a very serious issue, as water can enter through the air filter into the intake valve and then into the cylinder block via the intake pipe.
I've been driving for ten years and often follow topics like this. If you restart the engine after it's been submerged in water, there's a 99% chance the insurance company won't cover the damage, as it's considered operator error. If the engine stalls during water submersion, it means water may have entered the engine compartment. Restarting it can cause a sudden increase in water pressure, potentially leading to cylinder scoring or bent connecting rods, resulting in extremely high repair costs. Insurance policies clearly state that while water submersion damage is generally covered, a manual restart is considered an avoidable risk, and they will deny the claim after assessing liability. I've heard real-life cases from friends where restarting after submersion during the rainy season led to over 30,000 yuan in repair costs, with the insurance company refusing to pay a single cent, leaving the owner to foot the bill. My advice is to always check water depth before driving in the rain. If the engine stalls, immediately stop the car, turn off the power, and wait for rescue. Prevention is better than cure, and regularly reviewing your insurance policy is crucial, especially in flood-prone areas.
