Floods are the most common of all weather-related natural disasters and happen in every state (even normally dry states).
If your car is fully or partially submerged in flood water, it could result in thousands of dollars in repair bills or, worse, a total loss of the vehicle.
You’ll need the right type of insurance to cover flood-related damage to your car. Without it, you’ll be stuck paying to repair or replace your car out-of-pocket.
What Should I Do if My Car Is Caught in a Flood?
First and foremost, try to avoid flooded areas. If you see water on the road, turn around. It can be much deeper than it looks. The most common flood deaths happen when vehicles are driven into flood water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Flash floods are considered the most dangerous type of floods because of their speed and destructive power. They can happen within minutes of rainfall and with little warning.
Densely populated areas are at a high risk of flash floods because buildings, driveways, roadways and parking lots can cause water runoff. Storm drains and sewers become overwhelmed or clogged and then flood nearby roads.
As little as 6 inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Higher water will be even more dangerous. That’s because your tires can act as a flotation device in shallow water. Two feet of water is enough to float a 3,000-pound car. (A 2024 Honda Civic sedan weighs less than 3,000 pounds.)
If your car is caught in a flood, here are some tips from the San Antonio Fire Department:
- Leave your car immediately and seek higher ground.
- If your car is swept into the water and submerged, try not to panic. Stay calm and wait for the car to fill with water. Once the car is full, you’ll be able to open a door. (The water pressure needs to be equalized between the outside and inside of the car for the door to open.) Hold your breath and swim to the surface.
- If you are swept into fast moving flood water when you’re not in a vehicle, point your feet downstream. Always try to go over obstacles, like tree branches in the water, never under them.
- If you’re stranded on an object above the floodwater, like a building or tree, stay where you are and wait for rescue. Do not go into the flood water.
- When help arrives, remain calm and follow the directions of the rescue team.
What Should I Do If My Car Is Flooded?
Attempt to get to your car only when the flood waters have receded and it is safe to do so. If necessary, have your car towed to higher ground. Here are some tips on dealing with a car that has been in water:
- Do not attempt to start a flooded car. If there is water in the engine, you could cause even more damage.
- Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any standing water.
- Use towels to absorb water that may have soaked into the seats and cushions.
- Use dehumidifiers and fans, if possible.
- File a car insurance claim for flood damage with your auto insurance company if you have comprehensive car insurance.
Can a Car Be Fixed After Being Flooded?
A vehicle may be fixable after being flooded, but it depends on the level of damage. Minor flooding may not cause much damage and the vehicle might be repairable.
But a car insurance company could declare a vehicle a total loss if a car was sitting in water for days. That’s because damage caused by water, including electronic damage, can be complicated and expensive to repair.
A repaired vehicle that went through the insurance claim process should be insurable once the work is completed, but the flooding incident will be on its vehicle history report.
If your vehicle is totaled, you may still be able to keep your car as an “owner retained salvage.” You will get a salvage title and will need to make it legally roadworthy based on your state if you want to drive it again. If the car passes a state inspection, the car will receive a rebuilt title.
Though a rebuilt title means you can take your previously totaled vehicle on the road, you may have trouble finding car insurance. Insurers often view cars with a rebuilt title as riskier to insure than other vehicles. They may not offer you insurance or may decline to give you optional coverage like collision and comprehensive insurance.
How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car
If a dishonest dealer does a good job cleaning up the car and the title, it can be very difficult to spot a flood-damaged car. A lot of flood-damaged cars also show up in cities where you might least expect them, such as Chicago, Detroit, New York and Philadelphia.
If you’re buying a used vehicle, here are some ways to avoid buying a washed-up car.
Buy From a Reputable Dealer
If you’re used-car shopping, whether it’s from an established dealership or a private sale, you can take a few steps to help determine if a car was damaged in a flood.
- Ask questions. Ask the seller if the car has ever been damaged in a flood or car accident. The seller should be transparent about the car’s history. Ask for a Carfax vehicle history report. If the seller is being evasive, that’s a red flag.
- Inspect the car’s title. Check the car’s title and look for a stamp that reads “flood” or “salvage.” If it has those stamps, it’s probably best to walk away. You also want to check the title and look for any indication it might have been physically altered.
- Do your own title search. You can use the Carfax Flood Check tool for free to find out if a branded title was reported. You can also use the National Insurance Crime Bureau VINCheck for free to determine if the car has been reported as a salvage vehicle. Keep in mind, if the previous owner never reported flood damage to an insurance company, it’s unlikely to show up on a vehicle history report.
Inspect the Interior
If you’re interested in buying the car, thoroughly inspect it. Here are some ways you can detect flood damage.
- Look for mildew, sand, silt and water stains under the carpets, floor mats, behind the dashboard and headliner cloth. Mildew and mold can also produce a distinct smell.
- Check the upholstery and door panels for fading.
- Check for mud or silt behind wiring harnesses, alternator crevices, around the small recesses of starter motors, power steering pumps and the spare tire compartment.
- Check for a recently shampooed carpet.
- Look for brittle wires under the dashboard and the door speakers, which are often damaged in floods.
- Look for moisture beads and fog in the instrument panel, interior lights and exterior lights.
- Pull the seatbelt all the way out and inspect for grime, mildew or moisture.
- Check for rust on screws in the console or other areas which typically aren’t affected by water.
- Check for rust around doors, on the pedals, under the dashboard, inside the hood and on trunk latches.
- Look under the hood for signs of oxidation by checking behind the rubber boots around electrical and mechanical connections. Aluminum and alloys will have a white powder and pitting, and copper will show a green patina and ferrous (contains iron) will show signs of rust.
Go For a Ride
Any time you’re buying a vehicle, getting behind the wheel and taking the car for a test drive is essential. Here are some things to look out for:
- Smoke or odd smells when you start the car.
- Irregular noises, like strained warning buzzers.
- Test the car’s audio system. If the speaker cones were damaged by water, they might produce a distorted sound.
- Test every accessory, including headlight switches, high beams, turn signals and windshield wipers.
Ask an Expert
After you’ve scrutinized the seller, paperwork and vehicle interior, and taken the vehicle on a test drive, it may be time to get an expert opinion. Take the car to a trusted mechanic of your choice to inspect it.
While this might cost you a small fee, it can save you thousands in the long run if the car was previously damaged by a flood.
Trust Your Instincts
Sometimes the best gauge for a bad deal is your gut instinct. Buying a car with flood damage can result in major headaches, like mechanical failures and title problems. If the deal sounds too good to be true or something seems off with the seller’s answers, the title, or how the car looks and drives, then it might be time to walk away.
What Type of Car Insurance Do I Need for Flood Damage?
Comprehensive auto insurance will pay for flood damage repairs or will pay you the value of the vehicle if it’s totaled. Comprehensive insurance also covers other types of problems, such as falling objects, hail, theft, vandalism, riots and collisions with animals.
Note that comprehensive claims have a deductible, which is the amount deducted from an insurance check. Your auto insurance policy’s declarations page will list the deductible. You can change the amount. Typically, the higher the deductible, the lower the car insurance costs.
If you have a big car loan you might also consider gap insurance. This covers the “gap” between the value of your car and what you still owe on a loan or lease.
If you recently purchased a new car, you may be able to add new car replacement insurance, depending on the insurance company. New car replacement will pay for a new car of the same make and model (minus your deductible) instead of paying only the depreciated value of the car.
How Much Does Comprehensive Insurance Cost?
The average cost for comprehensive insurance is about $367 per year, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of collision and comprehensive insurance costs.
