Water Damaged Car: Problems, How to Inspect, Insurance Tips

Around 40% of natural disasters worldwide consist of floods, which often leave devastated homes, businesses, and vehicles in their wake. According to National Geographic, the cost of flood damage in America reaches up to $6 billion per year—a portion of which accounts for the repair of water-damaged cars.

Water-damaged cars are vehicles that were either completely submerged in water or incurred any form of damage while traveling through a flooded road. Unfortunately, getting a flooded car back on the road is not easy. If you live in a flood-prone area, you must know what you’re in for in case your daily driver takes water damage. Learn about what you should do, if faced with this problem, with this comprehensive guide.

Possible Causes of Water Damage in Cars

Your daily driver can withstand heavy rain as long as you roll its windows up and keep its doors shut. If you drive a high-clearance vehicle, you can even traverse low-level flooding without doing any significant damage to its engine.

But that doesn’t mean your car won’t get damaged when water enters its cabin—or, in worst cases, under the hood. Here are some bad practices that you should avoid to prevent water damage in your vehicle:

• Parking your car in a flood-prone place (e.g., an underground garage or a low-lying area close to a river)
• Driving your car through a flooded street
• Leaving your car in an open area without protection (e.g., forgetting to put up your convertible’s hood or parking in an unshaded lot)

Common Issues in Water-Damaged Vehicles

The problems your vehicle may develop from water damage will depend on its ability to safely run through a flood (wading depth) and the amount of water it was exposed to. Here are some of the issues you may need to fix:

Interior Damage

When water and mud get into your cabin, mold, and mildew will start growing on its fabric upholstery and carpeting. Both can make you and your passengers sick. Depending on the extent of the water damage in your car’s interior, you may have to replace every component and upholstery inside your ride.

Electrical Issues

There’s a high chance that your car has significant electrical damage if the floodwater reaches the floorboard because of the electrical wiring under your floor carpeting.

What’s tricky about electrical problems is that they don’t always show symptoms from the get-go. It’s best to let a professional inspect your vehicle after you’ve driven through flooded roads—even if there’s no visible damage on your ride.

Engine Problems

Aside from rusting, water can do significant damage to your engine components. For instance, if your engine ingests water, extensive internal damage may result. Water can also contaminate your ride’s oil or transmission fluid. Expect engine damage if the floodwater level you traversed passed the mid-portion of your tires.

These are only some of the problems you may encounter if your vehicle gets swamped in floodwater. Most of these issues are inevitable, but there are things you can do to avoid further damaging your ride.  Check out this article for the dos and don’ts of dealing with a flooded car.

Will Your Insurance Cover the Repair Costs of a Flooded Vehicle?

This depends on the coverage of your insurance policy. Most insurance companies total flooded cars because the vehicles often hide issues that cost a fortune to fix when they appear. It’s best to call your insurance company to find out if repairing your vehicle is an option.

If your policy covers flood damage, contact your insurance company. Wait for the claims adjuster who’ll inspect your vehicle and estimate the cost of repair. Note that your ride may be declared a “total loss” if the repair costs exceed your vehicle’s value.

Is Repairing a Flood-Damaged Car Worth It?

That’s completely up to you. If your insurance policy doesn’t cover repairs, you can ask your mechanic to estimate flooded car repair costs. This will help you decide if the time, money, and trouble are worth it.

If water got into your car, you’ll most likely have to replace its upholstery and carpeting. You may also have to fix or replace other damaged components. The total repair cost varies depending on the parts that need replacement and labor costs.

Should I Buy a Flood-Damaged Car?

According to Consumer Reports, you should avoid buying vehicles that were submerged in deep-level floods because they usually have issues that cost a lot to repair.

Ideally, vehicles that were declared a “total loss” by their insurance provider should be given a new title called a “salvage title.” Unfortunately, this information may not be properly communicated to the buyer. You’ll need to inspect your options carefully if you’re in the market for a used car.

How to Inspect a Car for Flood Damage

In the market for a used car? Make sure the vehicle you settle on doesn’t have flood damage by following this guide:

Check the carpets

Vehicles that were submerged in floodwater usually have distinct features. Watch out for musty odors and dried mud. Inspect older vehicles with brand-new carpets carefully; the new flooring may be hiding major flood damage.

You can also use websites like the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System to do background checks on a vehicle you want to buy.

Examine the seat-mounting screws

Seat-mounting screws are usually removed to dry the carpets. Ask for the history of the vehicle once you notice any signs that the seat mounting screws have been replaced.

Inspect the vehicle’s lights

The reflectors or lenses of vehicles that have been submerged in floodwater tend to have visible water lines.

Check the rubber drain plugs

These plugs are usually removed to drain floodwater. Ask for the car’s history if you spot signs that the rubber drain plugs were previously taken off.

Inspect hard-to-clean areas

Check the gaps between the panels in the trunk for any signs of grime.

However, take note that seeing one or two of the signs listed here doesn’t automatically mean the car has been flooded. It’s important to do background checks and find a trusted agent before deciding on anything.