Comprehensive coverage for vehicles includes not only flooding but also trees falling on the car, hail, fire, theft, vandalism and cracked windshields, according to Mark Friedlander, spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute. This type of coverage must be carried by drivers with an auto loan but it's optional for people in Florida who lease or own their car outright, so check your policy. If your car was in your home's garage, contact your homeowner’s insurance company first.
If your car has been flooded, contact your insurer and:
- DO NOT try to start it. If water has gotten into your engine, transmission or fuel system, starting it could make it worse. It’s possible the car is safe if the water level didn’t reach the door and the inside is dry. But make sure to get it checked out by a professional first.
- Take photos of your car and any damage.
- Disconnect the battery to avoid shocks or damaging the electrical system.
- Open the doors and windows. Start to dry out your car to avoid electrical or mold issues.
- Remove any personal items from the car and dry them.
- Check the oil dipstick for water. Change the oil and transmission fluid. If the vehicle is drivable, do this again after you've driven it several hundred miles.
- Remove water-damage cylinders and check for corroded spots.
- Check the electrical components.
- Check the fuel tank and line.
- Vacuum the water out. For minor flooding where the vehicle is salvageable, use a shop vac to get excess water from the carpets and upholstery and remove the mats to dry separately. You may need to remove the carpeting entirely for deeper cleaning.
- If your vehicle was in a lot of water, don't bother with the carpets. Muddy water can get into engine seals within a few hours, according to Popular Mechanics, and salt water is amazingly corrosive. You'll need to have the vehicle drained of oil and transmission fluid, the oil pan removed and cleaned, the wheel bearings cleaned and repacked, and the gas tank siphoned and possibly cleaned.
- Check your auto policy to see if a rental car will be covered.
If your vehicle was submerged in water or the water level was over your engine, it's very likely a total loss.
Do not attempt to drive in a flooded area. Emergency management officials often say “turn around, don’t drown” for this reason, as you don’t truly know how deep the water is or what hazards are hidden in there.