Will the water damage insurance cover the cost if the engine is restarted after being submerged?
2 Answers
If the engine is restarted after being submerged in water, causing further damage to the engine, the insurance company will not cover the cost. The regulations regarding restarting the engine are relatively consistent among various auto insurance companies. After a vehicle is submerged in water and the engine stalls, it is necessary to immediately call the police and contact the insurance company. Restarting the engine after being submerged can cause significant damage to the engine. Below is relevant information about insurance compensation: 1. If you have comprehensive car insurance and the car is flooded while parked, the insurance will cover the full cost of repairs. 2. If you have comprehensive car insurance but the car stalls and is submerged while driving through water, the insurance will cover the cost if you have water damage insurance. If you do not have water damage insurance, only the parts other than the engine will be covered. 3. If the car stalls after being submerged in water and is restarted, the insurance will not cover any costs.
After restarting the engine post-water crossing, the waterlogging insurance typically won't cover the costs. I recall a similar situation from my younger driving days during heavy rain—my car stalled in a puddle, and in a panic, I restarted the engine, only to flood it, resulting in hefty repair bills. The insurance company later deemed it driver error, clarifying that waterlogging insurance only covers natural water damage during crossing, like submerged circuits, but explicitly excludes damages from secondary ignition attempts. Since then, I've learned my lesson: if the car stalls after water exposure, never turn the key again—push it to safety first and wait for professional inspection. Remember, this is serious; mishandling can total the engine at your own expense. Always read the fine print—waterlogging insurance has clear exclusions, and mistakes like secondary operations leave you footing the bill. Safety first—avoid regrets.
