Heavy rain can cause vehicle flood damage and the need for difficult and expensive auto repairs. Once floodwaters rise above the vehicle door openings, extensive disassembly may be required for cleaning.
To avoid causing additional problems, never attempt to start a flood-damaged car until a thorough vehicle inspection has been performed by a qualified technician.
Depending on the vehicle year, make and model, the cost of repairing flood damage can easily exceed a car’s value. When dealing with an automobile that has been in a flood, the first step should be to contact your insurance company for help in determining the best course of action.
AAA Tips on Auto Insurance Claims
- Physical damage to a car caused by flooding is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto policy.
- Car owners should contact their insurance company to determine the extent of coverage before seeking repairs.
- Take photographs of any visible damage.
- Any vehicle sustaining flood damage should be fully inspected before being allowed back on the road. Mechanical components, computer systems, engine, transmission, axles, brake system and fuel system impacted by water contamination may render the vehicle unfit to drive and in many cases vehicles sustaining significant water damage will be determined to be a total loss.
What To Look For
When a vehicle has been in a flood the engine, transmission and drivetrain, along with the fuel, brake and power steering systems have all been compromised. Unless contaminants are completely removed from these important components, increased wear and premature failure can result.
The electrical systems in modern cars are particularly prone to flood water damage. Engine control computers, vehicle sensors, infotainment systems, and other electronic devices – along with wiring harnesses and the many connectors that join them together – can be very difficult to salvage. Unless every part is thoroughly cleaned and dried, inside and out, problems caused by corrosion can crop up weeks or even months after the flooding.
Many parts of a car are challenging to clean and dry because they are hard to access. Door locks, window regulators, power seat motors, heating and air conditioning components, and many small parts are tucked away in enclosed areas or up under the dash. These items may work okay immediately following a flood, only to fail later due to contamination by dirty water.
Car Buyers Beware
Buyers should know that flood-damaged vehicles can be shipped anywhere for resale, and continue to appear in the marketplace for many months following major floods.
The best protection against buying a flood-damaged vehicle is a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a quality shop such as a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. To find nearby locations, visit AAA.com/AutoRepair. The shop will look for common indicators of flood damage such as:
- Damp and musty odors.
- Carpet and upholstery that has been recently cleaned or replaced.
- Dirt and dried mud under the dash, in the engine compartment, and in body cavities inside the trunk.
- Rust or corrosion on the body and inside electrical connectors.
AAA also recommends that prospective buyers purchase a vehicle history report such as those available from CARFAX. While these reports cannot catch everything, they usually will indicate when a vehicle has been issued a salvage title, indicating a major problem in its past.
Finding Quality Auto Repair
AAA recommends that you plan ahead for vehicle service by finding an auto repair shop and technician you can trust before you need them. AAA.com/AutoRepair provides information on nearly 7,000 Approved Auto Repair facilities that have met AAA’s high standards for appearance, technician training and certification, insurance coverage and customer satisfaction. AAA regularly inspects every Approved Auto Repair facility and surveys their customers to ensure ongoing performance. In addition, AAA members receive special benefits that include auto repair discounts, an extended 24-month/24,000-mile parts and labor warranty, and AAA assistance in resolving repair-related issues.
About AAA – The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 65 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on social media.
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