Does car insurance cover flood damage?

Does car insurance cover flood damage?

Car insurance may cover flood damage if your policy included Comprehensive coverage when the damage happened. Liability coverage generally does not pay for flood damage to your own car. If the claim is covered, your Comprehensive deductible usually applies. Coverage and payment depend on your policy, vehicle and the details of the loss.

Key takeaways

• Comprehensive coverage is the part of an Auto policy that typically applies to flood damage.

• The coverage generally needs to be active when the damage happens.

• Do not start a flooded vehicle before it has been inspected. Contact your insurer and arrange a professional assessment.

Floodwater is very good at getting into parts of a car where water was never invited. It can damage the engine, electrical system, interior and safety equipment, sometimes without leaving an obvious clue on the outside. 

Whether insurance helps comes down to the coverage already on your policy. Comprehensive coverage may cover flood damage to your vehicle. Liability coverage generally will not.

The other important part is what you do next. Driving into floodwater can put you in immediate danger, while starting a flooded vehicle after the water recedes can cause more damage.

Your car is important, but if you’re in deep water, get yourself out of danger first.

When does car insurance cover flood damage?

Comprehensive coverage generally pays for damage to your car caused by something other than a collision. Covered events may include theft, hail, fire, windstorms, falling objects and floods. It is optional under state insurance laws, although a lender or leasing company may require it.

Liability coverage works differently. It generally pays for injuries or property damage you cause to other people. It does not usually pay to repair flood damage to your own vehicle.

Collision coverage typically applies when your car hits another vehicle or object. Floodwater does not become an object simply because it has ruined your afternoon. Comprehensive is the coverage to look for

Check your declarations page or policy documents to see whether Comprehensive coverage was active when the flooding happened. Coverage added later generally will not apply to damage that has already occurred.

How does a Comprehensive deductible work?

A deductible is the amount you are responsible for paying toward a covered claim before insurance pays its portion.

Suppose a covered flood claim results in $7,000 of eligible repairs and your Comprehensive deductible is $500. Your insurer may pay $6,500, subject to the policy terms and claim assessment.

If the eligible damage costs less than your deductible, there may be no insurance payment. If the damage is extensive, the insurer will determine whether the vehicle can be repaired or should be handled as a total loss.

Your declarations page should show your Comprehensive deductible. Check there before attempting insurance math in the middle of a storm.

What should you do when a road is flooded?

Advertisers love showing their cars and trucks handling absolutely intense terrain. If you come up to some sketchy water, we can not say this enough. Do. Not. Drive. Through. It. 

More than half of flood-related drownings happen when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floodwater. About 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and the road underneath may be damaged or missing entirely. 

Also, never drive around a barricade blocking a flooded road. Someone probably put it there for a good reason. 

Turn around and take another route, even when the water looks shallow. Floodwater can hide washed-out pavement, debris, electrical wires and sudden changes in depth.

Being late is inconvenient. Being carried downstream in what is now a terribly unfit watercraft is a more complicated scheduling problem.

What should you do if your car is trapped in floodwater?

Follow emergency instructions and call 911 if possible.

Ready.gov advises staying inside a vehicle that is trapped in rapidly moving water. If water begins rising inside, move onto the roof and signal for help. Conditions can change quickly, so follow directions from emergency responders rather than trying to apply a universal escape sequence.

If you end up getting out of your car and the water is flowing, keep an eye out for debris. Surprisingly heavy things can float and if they hit you, you can get knocked down. 

What should you do after your car floods?

Once you’re safe:

1. Do not start the vehicle. Floodwater can damage mechanical and electrical systems that are not visibly affected. NHTSA recommends having the vehicle thoroughly assessed before starting it.

2. Photograph the damage when it is safe. Capture the exterior, interior, water line and visible debris.

3. Contact your insurer. Report what happened and ask about towing, inspection and the next steps in the claims process.

4. Keep relevant records. Save towing invoices, inspection reports, repair estimates and other expenses related to the loss.

5. Avoid doing extensive cleanup before receiving instructions. Your insurer may need documentation of the vehicle’s condition. 

Do not assume that a dry seat means a dry car. Water has a long and successful career in finding and ruining wiring. It’s almost like they’re natural enemies. 

What if an electric or hybrid vehicle is flooded?

A submerged electric or hybrid vehicle may present high-voltage shock and fire hazards. If one of these gets flooded it can lead to a real bad time. 

NHTSA advises keeping a flood-damaged vehicle with a lithium-ion battery outside and away from structures, vehicles and combustible materials. Contact the vehicle manufacturer or dealer. Call emergency services if you suspect battery damage, see smoke or notice heat, leaking, unusual noises or odors.

Do not attempt to charge, start or repair the vehicle yourself. Seriously. 

How can you prepare before the next storm?

Review your declarations page before severe weather arrives. Confirm:

• Whether you have Comprehensive coverage

• The amount of your Comprehensive deductible

• Whether towing or rental reimbursement coverage is included

• How to contact your insurer or begin a claim

Comprehensive coverage generally needs to be active when the loss happens. Don’t wait for the local weather correspondent to be outside reporting in their parka to get yourself prepared. 

Common questions about car flood damage

Does home flood insurance cover my car?

Generally, no. Coverage for a flooded vehicle typically comes from the Comprehensive portion of an Auto insurance policy, not a homeowners or National Flood Insurance Program policy.

Does “full coverage” include flood damage?

“Full coverage” is an informal term and can mean different things. Check your declarations page for Comprehensive coverage specifically. Having only Liability coverage would generally not cover flood damage to your own car.

Can I add Comprehensive coverage after my car floods?

You can ask about adding coverage for future events, but it generally will not cover damage that happened before the coverage became effective. The relevant coverage must normally be in effect at the time of the loss. Get it set before you get wet.

Should I start my car after the floodwater recedes?

No. Have it assessed first. Hidden water damage can affect mechanical, electrical and safety systems, and starting the vehicle may create additional problems.

What happens if the damage is less than my deductible?

Your insurer may not issue a payment if the amount of covered damage is below your Comprehensive deductible. You can still contact the insurer to discuss the damage and determine whether a claim should be filed.

Can flood damage cause a car to be totaled?

It can. Floodwater may affect the engine, electronics, interior and safety systems. Your insurer will evaluate the damage, the vehicle and the applicable policy terms to decide whether repair is practical.

Ready to check your coverage?

Review your current policy or explore car insurance coverages before the next storm becomes part of the paperwork. If your vehicle has already been damaged, reach out to our team or begin the claims process for guidance on what to do next.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with HiRoad®. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. HiRoad is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. HiRoad makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.