Flooding events are likely to become more common as the UK experiences wetter winters and rising sea levels. [1] So, if your car gets damaged by floodwater, will your car insurance cover that?
We explain about car insurance for flood damage and show you how to claim with your insurer.
EASY AS HACK
You need a fully comprehensive car insurance policy that typically includes flood and storm damage to be covered for flood damage to your vehicle.
At a glance
Contact your insurer immediately to file a claim for flood damage under your policy. Have these items to hand:
- Your vehicle registration
- Policy number
- Time of the flood
- Your location
- Photos/video of any damage
is flood damage covered by car insurance?
Third-party car insurance does not cover flood damage to your vehicle. Neither does third party, fire and theft. To cover your car for flood damage, you need fully comprehensive car insurance. However, always review your policy details as there are some exceptions.
Even with cover for flood damage, your claim may fail if you could have prevented it. Examples of avoidable flood damage include:
- Driving recklessly or on purpose through a flood.
- Driving through floodwater without heeding police barriers.
- Parking on a tidal road despite clear warning signs.
An example of unavoidable flood damage is parking in your driveway when a sudden flash flood rises and submerges your vehicle.
Read our guide to car insurance cover and storm damage.
how do i make an insurance claim for flood damage?
You should submit an insurance claim for flood damage to your vehicle as soon as possible after it happened. Steps to take:
- Document the damage and make a list of what is damaged.
- Review your policy documents to determine if your car insurance covers flood damage – often labelled as ‘acts of nature’.
- Contact your insurance provider.
- Log all communications with your insurance provider.
You can claim repair costs for your car, unless your insurer writes it off (also known as total loss). Your contents insurance might also cover belongings damaged in the vehicle during the flood.
Read our guide to making a claim.
what damage can flooding do to your car?
Severe damage can happen to your vehicle from driving through floodwater. It only takes an egg-cupful of water sucked into your car’s engine for extensive damage to occur.[2]
Flooding can have the following impact on cars:
- Dents and scratches from collisions with waterborne debris.[3]
- Interior contamination, including watermarks, mould and mildew.[4]
- Corrosion and rust to metal parts, such as the brakes and fuel system, especially from saltwater.
- Battery short-circuits and failures.
- Failed parking sensors, cameras and computer modules.
- Motors that won’t start due to water ingress through the air intake (hydrolock).[5]
- Fogged up external lights from too much moisture.
- Damage to indicators and infotainment systems.
- Long-term electrical issues.
US research into flood-damaged electric vehicles during hurricanes also found that flammable gas from batteries can cause fires when seawater accidentally immerses EVs.[4]
what type of water damage will my car insurance cover?
Your car insurance may cover different kinds of water damage, depending on the claim’s specifics, your policy and your insurer.
However, fully comprehensive car insurance usually covers damage to:
- The engine
- Upholstery
- Your belongings (if your policy includes personal possessions cover).
In some cases, your contents insurance may cover a claim for water damage resulting from an insured event, such as a flood or storm. Review your policy to see if it includes ‘personal possessions away from home’ and what it excludes.
Check our list of insurance products for the policy wording.
when is my car not covered for flood damage?
There are some circumstances when insurers will not cover flood damage:
- If you drive through flooded areas, you won’t be covered if other routes are available.
- When the claim is due to reckless or dangerous driving.
Examples include:
- Driving through floodwater and ignoring police barriers or signs.
- Trying to cross a ford when the depth gauge shows high water levels.
can i drive during a red weather warning?
At Ageas, our car insurance policy covers you for flood damage during a red weather warning. That’s because these types of warnings do not prohibit driving, although they may advise against it.
Check the Met Office weather forecast in your area before you travel to see whether a red weather warning is in force. Don’t travel unless you must.
If your area is prone to flooding, you can also sign up for flood warnings from the Environment Agency.
what to do if your car is flooded
After a flood, you should take the following steps:
- Do not restart the engine as water may have entered, causing it to seize.
- Switch off the ignition to prevent short circuits.
- Disconnect the battery if safe to do so.
- Take photos of the water levels and the vehicle.
- Call breakdown services to tow the car.
- Contact your insurer.
how to drive through a flood
Always review the depth of the water before proceeding to drive through a flood, and don’t continue if it’s too high.
- Always check whether there is another route you could take.
- Keep your vehicle in low gear and rev your engine.
- Drive in the middle of the road.
- Brake gently once you’re through.
For more information, read how to drive safely in heavy rain.
Get a quote for Ageas car insurance.
FAQs
does my car insurance cover water damage to the engine?
If you have fully comprehensive insurance, your policy should cover water damage to the engine.
is my car a write-off after flood damage?
Insurers can classify a car that is too expensive to repair as a write-off or total loss.
what catergory is a flood-damaged car?
The flood-damaged car category will depend on the extent of the water damage
what is a flash flood?
A flash flood happens when rain falls so quickly and heavily that the ground can’t absorb or drain it.
what is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning or aquaplaning can happen if you drive fast in heavy rain or flooded conditions, and the car loses its grip on the tarmac. Learn more about hydroplaning
Sources
[1] Met Office - State of the UK Climate
[2] Met Office - Driving in severe weather
[3] Static and Moving Vehicles Stability Criteria Inside Floodwaters-A Review
[4] A Teardown Study of Flood Damaged Electric Vehicles
[5] Consumer Reports - Why Flooded-Out Cars Are Likely Total Losses
