Recently, many regions in my country and even the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region have suffered unprecedented heavy rainfall, causing many vehicles to enter and soak in water.

In the face of this unexpected situation, it is very important to correctly handle the problem of vehicle water ingress, so as to avoid unnecessary losses and expenses. This article will introduce how to correctly deal with the problem of water ingress in the car and help you spend less money.

How to identify and evaluate the car's water ingress?

Generally speaking, the car will be divided into two situations according to the situation of the incident: one is that the vehicle is parked on the side of the road or in an underground garage, and the water is too deep to cause the vehicle to enter the water; The flooded road section caused water to enter the car and stalled, making it impossible to move forward.

1. Water ingress when the vehicle is parked:

When flooding occurs while the vehicle is parked, check the surrounding area for standing water and assess its depth. This can help us determine if there is enough standing water to cause damage to the vehicle.

Pay attention to whether there are obvious signs of moisture in the car, such as seats, carpets, etc. These signs can help us judge the degree and extent of water ingress.

If you find that the depth of the water is very deep or the interior of the car is obviously wet, it is recommended not to try to start the engine to avoid more serious damage.

2. Encountered waterlogged sections during driving:

If the vehicle encounters a waterlogged section and floods during driving, we should immediately take the following steps:

(1) Parking: Never try to restart the engine to prevent more serious damage. Find a safe place to park and make sure to leave any areas that may be dangerous.

(2) Observation: Pay attention to the surrounding environment and the situation inside the vehicle. If you find other dangers or problems (such as collapsed utility poles, electrical short circuits, etc.), please evacuate the vehicle quickly and call the police for help.

When identifying and assessing water ingress, please consider it comprehensively and take appropriate measures according to the actual situation. This can help you better deal with water ingress in your car and reduce possible damage.

How to deal with it after soaking in water?

1. Contact the insurance company and file a case

Contact the insurance company as soon as possible and file a case, provide a detailed description of the accident, and record photos of the scene as evidence. Make sure to communicate fully with the insurance company to understand their procedures and requirements for flooding accidents.

2. Wait for professional rescue

If the vehicle cannot start or move by itself, please contact the insurance company or the tow truck rescue service provided by the 4S store. Avoid doing the towing operation yourself, which can cause more damage. Waiting for professional assistance will ensure that the vehicle can be safely brought to the workshop.

3. Send it for repair and fix the damage as soon as possible

Take vehicles affected by blisters to a specialist workshop. Cooperate with the repair shop to arrange damage assessment work as soon as possible and formulate relevant maintenance plans. When communicating with the repair shop, provide detailed water ingress and photos so they can accurately assess the extent of the damage and develop a recovery plan.

4. Thorough cleaning and inspection

Ask the repair shop to thoroughly clean and dehumidify the damp parts to prevent corrosion and mold growth. At the same time, regularly check the function of key components such as the chassis, brake system, and electrical circuits to ensure the safety and normal operation of the vehicle.

In addition to the above steps, there are some things to pay attention to:

1. Maintain good communication and cooperation with insurance companies, repair shops and rescue services throughout the processing process;

2. Keep all accident-related documents, invoices and maintenance records for possible future use;

3. Understand the scope of compensation and liability you enjoy according to the insurance clauses;

4. After the vehicle is restored, perform a full inspection and make sure that all problems are properly addressed.

How to determine the loss of insurance claims?

After the reform of auto insurance in 2020, water-related insurance will be cancelled, and it will be included in the scope of claims for auto damage insurance. Whether it is a vehicle parked in a community, basement or street that is suddenly flooded by a heavy rain, or a vehicle is damaged due to wading, you can make a claim. Under normal circumstances, the fixed damage of the vehicle will be determined according to the degree of water soaking.

For the level of damage assessment of flooded vehicles, it can be roughly divided into three categories:

The first category: slight soaking in water

Generally speaking, in this case, the vehicle only has a slight water seepage on the floor or more than half of the wheel hub has no water. Usually no professional maintenance is required, just a simple wash and dry. Such vehicles allow for quick claims settlement.

The second category: water soaking is more serious

If the vehicle has serious water seepage on the floor, the water depth is above the gear handle or even close to the instrument panel, professional maintenance is required. For example, it is necessary to replace the carpet, deal with the corroded steel frame, replace the damp seat body, and overhaul the electronic circuit.

The third category: severe water soaking, and defined as total loss

If the accumulated water exceeds the instrument panel or even overflows the roof, in most cases it will be treated as a constructive total loss. The car owner can buy a new car separately after obtaining corresponding compensation from the insurance company, while the residual value of the old car is handled by the insurance company.

For example, when a typhoon caused flood discharge from a river, many vehicles were washed away by the flood and could not be found for the time being. Car owners can report to the insurance company first, and wait for the first time to find the vehicle after the flood recedes. If the vehicle cannot be found, you can ask the police to issue a certificate and then the insurance company will pay for it.

In short, in claims settlement, the insurance company will assess the damage based on the actual condition of the vehicle and the extent of the loss, and determine the corresponding compensation amount or maintenance plan based on this. This ensures fair and reasonable assistance and compensation to car owners.

Facing the problem of water entering the car caused by heavy rain, it is very important to deal with it correctly. Contact the insurance company in time and file a case, wait for professional rescue, and send the damp vehicle to the repair shop for thorough cleaning and inspection. By doing it right, you can reduce wasted money and protect your car from unnecessary damage. Let us deal with emergencies together and ensure driving safety.