Car Water Damage and Insurance

Recently, we covered how damaging a flood can be. In this article, we are going to look at how specifically it can damage your car. You probably don’t think of water as a leading threat to your car, but it can actually wreak a shocking amount of havoc in your car. Rain can get inside your car causing damages to upholstery or leather or the electronic parts of a car. A flood could cause damage to the engine resulting in serious problems needing a mechanic. Here are the ways water can damage your car and how insurance interacts with them.

Comprehensive Coverage and Water Damage

The type of insurance that deals with water damage is called “comprehensive coverage.” However, the rule is not without exceptions. While comprehensive coverage very well may cover your water damage, it will usually depend on the circumstances under which the damage was sustained and the particulars of your policy. Comprehensive covers non-accident related events which damage your car. For this reason, it is sometimes called “other than collision” insurance. Some examples are theft, vandalism, or fire. However, if damage to the car is the result of negligence, it is unlikely to be covered by comprehensive insurance. Here’s a look at some potential sources of water damage and insurance.

Potential Sources of Water Damage

Here are some of the most likely sources of water damage and how insurance views them.

Hailstorms

Say a hailstorm damages your car’s windows leaving them susceptible to an accompanying rainstorm. It’s likely that comprehensive coverage will help as this was not a matter of negligence.

Local Flooding

As we have seen from recent events, flooding can cause huge damages. Rising water may damage a car’s engine or interior, while a truly powerful flood could even move a car causing tremendous damage. Comprehensive coverage will usually cover these types of claims.

Leaking: Heavy Rains vs. Slow Leaks

This is a tricky situation. If the rain was sudden and violent enough that it was not a matter of negligence, it’s certainly possible that comprehensive will cover it. If the damage was due to slow leaks, that’s likely to be viewed as the responsibility of the owner to maintain their vehicle.

Open Windows and Sunroof

This damage is highly unlikely to be covered by comprehensive insurance since leaving your windows down or your sunroof open is an avoidable event.

While this list is based on the general use of comprehensive coverage, it is by no means representative of every policy. If something does happen to your car, contact your insurance agent to see if your policy covers the damages.

Storms and floods can happen at any time. The only way to protect your car is to perform regular maintenance on it and to double check your policy to ensure you have the coverage your need. Make sure to contact H&K Insurance, as our experienced team will gladly review your policy and explain any nuances you may not understand. In addition, we may be able to help you save on home and business insurance.