Many car insurance companies will include flood damage insurance in their policies. Flood damage can be included in the Mother Nature clause of a policy. When a car is affected by water damage, it can be deemed completely totaled. This is totally dependant on the extent of the water damage.
The extent of the damage to your vehicle will be totally dependant on how deep your vehicle was immersed in the water. The worst water damage would be to your engine. There are certain parts of your engine that simply cannot be exposed to water, or they will stop functioning. The electronics are most at risk, and thereafter comes the engine and upholstery.
If you are in a flood situation, the most important thing for you to do is to turn your vehicle off. You will want to avoid any more damage to your engine. If your vehicle is only flooded up to the top of the wheels, then you will not have to worry about the engine. Unfortunately, damage to the upholstery can be devastating, and if not treated correctly, can form mold and a terrible smell. The type of water that the vehicle has been flooded with is also a determining factor. Salt water will corrode the interiors more, whilst contaminated water can leave behind an awful smell and the potential of rot. The first thing that needs to be done is for all the upholstery and carpeting to come out. They must then be shampooed to clean away any bacteria or mold. The doors of the vehicle must be left wide open for a long period of time, for the entire interior to dry out.
Should the water have reached any higher than the tops of the wheels, there could be grave dangers to the engine of the motor vehicle. The key lies in whether or not the vehicle was started up once the engine was filled with water. The range of damage to an engine based on flood damage can range from mild to irreparable. The most important thing to do is to ensure that the vehicle is not turned on until you are completely certain of the level of damage. The engine, once waterlogged, needs to be picked apart and cleaned out. If it gets started, it could seize up causing internal parts to bend and break.
It is imperative that you report your flood damaged vehicle to your auto insurance company. Should you have the sufficient coverage, they will probably pay out for the repairs to the vehicle. If you are buying a second hand vehicle, you must always look out for signs of flood damage. There will usually be rust in unusual places such as the seat belt clip, around the spare wheel and on the doors. Furthermore, you need to check that all the electronics are working correctly. This includes the lights on the dashboard, the radio, windshield wipers and the indicators. You have to ensure that you do not purchase a flood damaged vehicle, as you could have major problems further along the line. Furthermore, if you live in an area that is susceptible to floods, you need to ensure that your insurance coverage includes flood damage.
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