Water damage is one of the worst things that can happen to a vehicle. It ruins the vital parts of the vehicle like the engine, alternator, transmission, and other mechanical parts and it can also do a number on the interior and body of the vehicle. So, if you live in an area that is prone to flooding or have a vehicle you’d like to make sure is protected, one of the things to know is whether or not your insurance policy will cover flood damage.
Car insurance is quite a bit different from homeowners insurance, so it can be difficult to know what is and is not covered in terms of damage to your vehicle. Today we are going to talk about vehicle insurance coverage and which plans are likely to cause flood damage and what to do if your vehicle is damaged in a flood. Keep in mind that water damage caused by someone’s negligent or careless actions may give you the foundation of a personal injury lawsuit, particularly when someone suffers harm in the incident.
Remember that every insurance provider and policy is different so if you’re still unsure if you’re covered, reach out to your policy provider about your coverage and if necessary, make some changes so that you aren’t left paying for your own vehicle in the event of a flood.
What Are the Limits of My Policy
Unlike homeowners insurance, auto insurance providers don’t require specific coverage for certain types of damage and may not provide it as part of their basic policy. This is because auto insurers are more concerned with what happens in the event of an accident, not a flood or fire. That being said, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t coverage for these things available, it just may not be the standard.
The first thing to know is that collision coverage does not cover weather damage of any kind, that is separate policy or part of your policy. So forget about looking at full collision coverage to take care of the damage, you will need something more than that.
For weather damage due to natural acts, (often called acts of God), such as rain, hail, flood, and wind damage, insurance providers offer what is known as comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage typically covers unforeseen damage from natural events and accidents that weren’t the result of driving. These policies have a deductible just like your collision coverage and the amount can vary greatly depending on the amount of specific coverage you want. Many people have this type of coverage on vehicles they are still paying for or on high value vehicles.
Does Comprehensive Coverage Always Cover Flood Damage?
Comprehensive coverage policies are unfortunately not always cut and dry. First you must make sure that you have a comprehensive policy on your vehicle to help protect from weather damage, but then you must also make sure that flood damage is covered. That is because some insurers may rescind coverage if the area is prone to floods or if the flood was caused by a natural event that could have been avoided. For example, if your car is damaged by flooding caused by a hurricane, your insurance may not cover the damages if you could have reasonably foreseen the dangerous weather and gotten your vehicle to safety.
Similarly, your insurance provider may decide that flood damage from a hurricane is not the same as regular flood damage and if you do not have a policy that covers hurricane damage, you may be out of luck. These nuances in insurance coverage are made to save the insurance company money in the event of a claim, so it’s a good idea to read through your policy carefully to understand what situations are and aren’t covered.
In most cases you can get the coverage you need for your vehicle.You may find yourself paying a higher deductible depending on the type of coverage that you need, where you live, and other factors that go into how your insurance provider calculates rates.
Always Double-Check to Ensure That You’re Covered
The key takeaway we have for you today is not to blindly assume that your vehicle is protected if a flood occurs. Even if you have excellent coverage, it’s not always the case that your policy offers guarantees against poor weather. You should always consult with an expert that understands your needs and can recommend a fitting plan that offers protection you can rely upon.
Water damage is one of the worst things that can happen to a vehicle. It ruins the vital parts of the vehicle like the engine, alternator, transmission, and other mechanical parts and it can also do a number on the interior and body of the vehicle. So, if you live in an area that is prone to flooding or have a vehicle you’d like to make sure is protected, one of the things to know is whether or not your insurance policy will cover flood damage.
Car insurance is quite a bit different from homeowners insurance, so it can be difficult to know what is and is not covered in terms of damage to your vehicle. Today we are going to talk about vehicle insurance coverage and which plans are likely to cause flood damage and what to do if your vehicle is damaged in a flood. Keep in mind that water damage caused by someone’s negligent or careless actions may give you the foundation of a personal injury lawsuit, particularly when someone suffers harm in the incident.
Remember that every insurance provider and policy is different so if you’re still unsure if you’re covered, reach out to your policy provider about your coverage and if necessary, make some changes so that you aren’t left paying for your own vehicle in the event of a flood.
What Are the Limits of My Policy
Unlike homeowners insurance, auto insurance providers don’t require specific coverage for certain types of damage and may not provide it as part of their basic policy. This is because auto insurers are more concerned with what happens in the event of an accident, not a flood or fire. That being said, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t coverage for these things available, it just may not be the standard.
The first thing to know is that collision coverage does not cover weather damage of any kind, that is separate policy or part of your policy. So forget about looking at full collision coverage to take care of the damage, you will need something more than that.
For weather damage due to natural acts, (often called acts of God), such as rain, hail, flood, and wind damage, insurance providers offer what is known as comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage typically covers unforeseen damage from natural events and accidents that weren’t the result of driving. These policies have a deductible just like your collision coverage and the amount can vary greatly depending on the amount of specific coverage you want. Many people have this type of coverage on vehicles they are still paying for or on high value vehicles.
Does Comprehensive Coverage Always Cover Flood Damage?
Comprehensive coverage policies are unfortunately not always cut and dry. First you must make sure that you have a comprehensive policy on your vehicle to help protect from weather damage, but then you must also make sure that flood damage is covered. That is because some insurers may rescind coverage if the area is prone to floods or if the flood was caused by a natural event that could have been avoided. For example, if your car is damaged by flooding caused by a hurricane, your insurance may not cover the damages if you could have reasonably foreseen the dangerous weather and gotten your vehicle to safety.
Similarly, your insurance provider may decide that flood damage from a hurricane is not the same as regular flood damage and if you do not have a policy that covers hurricane damage, you may be out of luck. These nuances in insurance coverage are made to save the insurance company money in the event of a claim, so it’s a good idea to read through your policy carefully to understand what situations are and aren’t covered.
In most cases you can get the coverage you need for your vehicle.You may find yourself paying a higher deductible depending on the type of coverage that you need, where you live, and other factors that go into how your insurance provider calculates rates.
Always Double-Check to Ensure That You’re Covered
The key takeaway we have for you today is not to blindly assume that your vehicle is protected if a flood occurs. Even if you have excellent coverage, it’s not always the case that your policy offers guarantees against poor weather. You should always consult with an expert that understands your needs and can recommend a fitting plan that offers protection you can rely upon.