Will the insurance company repair or compensate for a water-damaged car?
2 Answers
Repair. In the case of vehicle submersion, the vehicle damage insurance can compensate for the parts of the vehicle damaged except for the engine. However, damage to the engine caused by submersion can only be claimed under the water ingress insurance. Water ingress insurance is an additional insurance specifically purchased for the engine and needs to be bought separately! Vehicles with water ingress insurance can receive compensation for engine damage caused by driving through water or being submerged. More relevant information is as follows: Note 1: If the vehicle is submerged or driving through water affects the engine, the vehicle damage insurance will not compensate. If the vehicle is submerged but the engine is not affected, and only parts replacement or circuit repairs are needed, this falls under the coverage of vehicle damage insurance. Even if the water submerges the entire car, causing total loss, the insurance company can follow the total loss compensation. Note 2: If water ingress insurance is not purchased, the insurance company will only compensate for losses caused when the vehicle is stationary and submerged, without attempting to start the engine. If the vehicle is driven through water in foreseeable hazardous conditions, the insurance company will not compensate for the resulting damage.
That time my car got flooded, it was quite a panic. I reported it to the insurance company right away, and they sent someone to inspect it. The water only reached the floor mats, not the engine or wiring system, so they decided to repair it—replaced the carpets, thoroughly dried out the interior, took about ten days, cost a few thousand, all covered by comprehensive insurance. If the water had been deeper, say reaching the engine or doors, they probably would have just paid out, because the repair costs would be too high or too risky. My friend’s case was worse—his old car was completely submerged, and the insurance company promptly declared it a total loss, paying him the car’s value as compensation. Now I’ve learned: don’t park in low-lying areas during heavy rain, read the insurance policy carefully before buying to ensure comprehensive coverage, and if something happens, don’t wait—take photos and report it quickly, so things get handled without delay.
