InsureSavvy

Flood-Damaged Car Checklist

What to do with your car after a flood: assess the damage, don't start the engine, dry it out and call your panel workshop.

What to Do with My Car After Damaging by Flood?

Please use the following checklist as your guidance.

Illustration of a car half-submerged in flood water

  • Assess the extent of damage Check the watermark left behind on your vehicle after flood receded, if it is just 1 or 2 feet above ground, probably, the damage is still manageable. Once the watermark reaching below dashboard, maybe the vehicle has sustained great damages. Take photos and video as part of the evidence of your loss. Keep in mind, you must do so without compromising your own safety.
  • Do not start car engine When you start engine and water goes into engine, it will cause more damages. You may assess the condition of engine, by checking the engine oil dipstick. If you find any water droplets on dipstick, probably the cylinders are broken already.
  • Drying out vehicle immediately Start drying out by putting towel to soak up water, opening doors and windows. To prevent moulds forming in the interior of vehicle. Use wet / dry vacuum cleaner to speed up the process if possible.
  • Contact panel workshop associated with your insurance / takaful company. – Damaged vehicle should be towed back to panel workshop and checked by professional mechanic. – Engine oil and transmission fluids might be drained out before towing. – Fuel tank might be emptied as well. – Electrical components would be examined. Note : standard Comprehensive Motor Cover does not include protection against losses causing by flood. Check your motor policy and find out if your vehicle is insured with add-on benefit, which covers such losses.
  • Loss adjuster examining flood-damaged vehicle In most cases, the cost of fixing the damaged engines, electrical, and computer parts, and interiors (for moulds, moistures, or corrosions), not to mention the possible long term corrosion and electrical damage, is too high to warrant repairs. Hence, the vehicle might end up declaring as “total loss” from insurance viewpoint. On the other hand, if your vehicle is uninsured against flood risks, likely you need to consider the estimated repairs cost versus the cost of replacing your vehicle.