If you live in or around the region that recently suffered from a hurricane, then chances are that you’re still reeling from the aftereffects. The high scale natural disaster destroyed the Gulf Coast before hitting the Northeast. The hurricane was not only serious in nature but also left many suburbs underwater.
The flood killed dozens of people by trapping them in cars. You may have seen many cars floating or abandoned on major highways and neighborhoods on social media or the news.
In turn, it has caused a major headache for numerous car owners affected by the hurricane. Recovering from the damages was not easy for the owners despite carrying auto insurance.
This is when car owners need to learn the right course of action if their car is in a flood. If you can relate to the topic, here are some steps you can take to recover the losses.
What Happens to Your Car if It’s in Flood
Note that if your car is submerged, it may develop almost all sorts of mechanical and physical issues. From mold to rusty body panels and components, your car is subject to many things at the same time. It doesn’t end here as water damages the engine and battery of your car. It may go into the control systems and electronic circuits of the car, ruining the power windows.
Many cars lose their safety and infotainment systems. This may cause cars to experience intermittent or complete mechanical failures. In short, if your car has been in flood with its engine emerged for 2 to 3 hours, it can mean bad news.
What to Do if Your Car Is in a Flood
It’s critically important that you dry it out as soon as possible, especially if the engine has been in saltwater.
Also, never try to start your car immediately after a flood if you think water has gotten into the engine and other areas. Keep in mind that it may lead to a serious catastrophic failure such as hydro lock.
Your first step should be to look for an experienced repair service that has trained staff to deal with water damage. Have your car towed to the shop instead of driving it there yourself.
Make sure you have comprehensive insurance coverage which will typically help you recover the damages. The comprehensive coverage for flood damage may typically add between $400 and $500 yearly to the insurance bill, according to industry data.
However, there are plenty of factors that may influence this cost. It may include the state you live in, your vehicle cost, and your driving record.
It’s important to keep in mind that if you declare your car as flood-damaged, mark it’s title clearly. It’s a legal requirement as flood-damaged cars are either sold as scrap or recycled. Many scrape sellers break down their parts to sell in the markets.
Summing Up
In a nutshell, if your car is in flood, be aware of the dangers and have it towed to the repair shop. Don’t start it right after you dry it out, and make sure to check your insurance for flood damage.
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