Does Car Insurance Cover Damage From Driving Through Water?

During heavy rains or flooding, you may encounter flooded streets and roads on your commute. Driving through standing water always comes with risks, but many drivers attempt it to avoid lengthy detours.

If you accidentally drive through high water and your vehicle sustains damage, will your car insurance policy cover the repairs? Or will you be stuck with the bill if you intentionally drove through the flooded area?

Below we’ll examine whether driving through water is covered by auto insurance, what your comprehensive coverage includes, steps for filing a claim, and tips for safely navigating flooded roads:

Does Car Insurance Cover Flooded Roads?

If your car gets damaged by flood waters, comprehensive auto insurance will typically pay for repairs or replacement, minus your deductible. This is contingent on a few factors:

• The damage must be accidental and unintentional. Deliberately driving through deep water that engulfs your car can void your coverage.

• The flooding can’t be caused by a natural disaster in an officially declared emergency zone. This requires separate flood insurance.

• The water level can’t exceed the boundaries of your vehicle. Damage from hydrolocking the engine generally isn’t covered.

What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive (or “other than collision”) insurance covers your vehicle getting damaged by incidents besides collisions. This includes:

• Flood damage
• Hail damage
• Falling objects/trees
• Fire
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Animal strikes

Anything outside of your control that damages your car will be covered under comprehensive, minus your deductible. It’s important protection to have alongside collision coverage.

Does Car Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Beyond flooding, comprehensive auto coverage will also pay for various types of water damage to your vehicle’s interior and exterior:

• Heavy rain, hailstorms, thunderstorms
• Rodent damage that allows water intrusion
• Cracked/damage seals and weather stripping
• Leaking door seals or window seals
• Damage from flood levels below the vehicle cabin

Water damage not caused by a collision or natural disaster is covered. Again, the key is that the circumstances must be accidental, not the result of negligence.

Tips For Safely Driving Through Flooded Roads

When you encounter flooded streets, here are some tips to minimize damage and safely traverse the high water:

• Turn around and find an alternate route if water appears too deep

• Drive slowly and steadily through ankle-deep water

• Avoid hydroplaning – don’t drive through flowing or rushing water

• Test brakes after driving through water

• Watch for hidden hazards like debris, washed out pavement, etc.

• Never drive where water fully covers the wheel rims

Being cautious and avoiding unnecessary risks will help prevent severe damage and keep you safe in flooded conditions.

What Damage Is Covered If You Drive Through High Water?

As long as you didn’t purposely drive into dangerously deep flood waters, comprehensive coverage will pay for damage such as:

• Water in the cabin ruining interior upholstery

• Electrical malfunctions from water exposure

• Hydrolocking the engine due to water ingestion

• Transmission issues from driving through water

• Brake problems caused by water corrosion

Any repairs needed to get your car working again due to unintentional water damage will be covered under your policy’s comprehensive protection.

Does Insurance Cover High Water That’s Deeper Than Expected?

Many drivers have found themselves in a situation where a flooded street is deeper than anticipated. As long as you make a reasonable effort to avoid known deep water, insurance will cover any accidental damage if the water level ends up being higher than expected.

The key factors are that you tried to avoid known deep spots and didn’t purposely drive into water that could fully submerge your vehicle. Damage from unexpected high water will fall under your comprehensive coverage.

What Damage Won’t Your Car Insurance Cover?

While comprehensive is broad, there are certain scenarios of water damage it won’t reimburse:

• Official flood zones: Damage from federally declared flood emergency zones requires separate flood insurance.

• Interior only damage: From leaky doors or open windows won’t be covered in many cases.

• Hydrolocking: If water depth exceeds the air intake and gets sucked into the engine.

• Intentional acts: Purposely driving through deep water that fully submerges your car.

• Long-term damage: Rust, mold, and gradual water damage over time.

Carefully review your policy exclusions and limitations on water damage claims with your insurer or agent.

Will My Rates Go Up for Making a Water Damage Claim?

Filing a comprehensive claim for flood damage shouldn’t directly increase your premiums like an at-fault accident would. However, making multiple claims in a short period may indirectly impact your renewal rates down the road.

Check with your carrier about their specific guidelines. Maintaining a solid driving record can help offset rate hikes even after filing claims.

How To File an Auto Insurance Claim for Water Damage

If your car gets damaged from a flooded street or water exposure, here are the steps to file an insurance claim:

• Move your vehicle to a safe, dry location if it’s drivable

• Take photos of the exterior and interior water damage

• Call your insurance company to report the incident and file a claim

• Provide details on when and how the water damage occurred

• Get a repair cost estimate from a licensed mechanic

• Submit all repair bills and claim documents to your adjuster

• Pay your comprehensive deductible (if applicable) after repairs

• Receive payment for covered losses above the deductible

Thoroughly documenting the damage and following your insurer’s claims process makes getting reimbursed for water damage much easier.

Can You Avoid the Deductible for Water Damage Claims?

The one drawback of filing a comprehensive claim is having to pay your policy’s deductible, which can range from $250 up to $1,000. Unfortunately there’s no way around paying the deductible if you make a claim.

One way to potentially recover your deductible is to track down the entity responsible for the water hazard, like a flooded roadway. You can pursue them legally for reimbursement of your deductible amount.

Is an Older Car Worth Repairing After Water Damage?

If your car is very high-mileage or already in need of repairs, you’ll need to decide if filing an insurance claim is worthwhile or if it makes more sense to retire the vehicle.

Consider the repair estimate, deductible cost, and your car’s current value and condition. In some cases paying out of pocket to junk the car may be the best option if repair costs exceed the car’s worth.

Key Takeaways on Auto Insurance and Water Damage

The key points to keep in mind regarding car insurance coverage for driving through water:

• Comprehensive insurance will pay for unintentional water damage from sources like flooding.

• Damage from intentionally driving through deep water that engulfs your car likely won’t be covered.

• Official flood zones declared as disasters require separate flood insurance policies.

• Make every effort to avoid roads with high water levels to prevent severe damage.

• Document all damage and promptly file a claim following your insurer’s required steps.

Understanding exactly what your auto policy covers related to water damage can prevent nasty surprises in the event your car gets flooded. Always exercise caution when roads are underwater so both you and your vehicle avoid harm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Driving Through Flood Waters

Q: Will insurance pay if my car stalls and gets flooded?

Insurance will cover damage if you stall due to unforeseen circumstances like the water being deeper than expected. But intentionally driving into water that could stall your car likely voids coverage.

Q: Does comprehensive insurance cover damage from waves in a storm?

Yes, large waves that damage your parked car would fall under comprehensive coverage, minus your deductible.

Q: Am I covered if I hydrolock my engine by driving through deep water?

Damage from hydrolocking your engine generally isn’t covered since it means you drove through excessively deep water that entered the engine.

Q: Does car insurance cover mold or rust damage from water exposure over time?

Unfortunately long-term damage like mold, mildew, and rust resulting from water intrusion won’t be covered by auto insurance.

Q: Can I get reimbursed for my deductible if flooding wasn’t my fault?

You may be able to recover your deductible by going after whoever is responsible for the water hazard, but it’s not guaranteed.