Does Car Insurance Cover Flooding?

For a complete breakdown of what car insurance covers, see our guide on what does car insurance cover.

What Flood Damage Is Covered?

Comprehensive insurance covers all types of flood damage:

Engine damage:

• Hydrolocking (water entering combustion chambers)
• Damaged cylinders and pistons
• Ruined air intake systems
• Contaminated oil and fluids

Electrical system damage:

• Shorted wiring and fuses
• Failed computers and sensors
• Damaged battery and alternator
• Non-functional dashboard electronics

Interior damage:

• Soaked carpets and seats
• Ruined upholstery and padding
• Damaged infotainment systems
• Mold and mildew growth

Mechanical damage:

• Contaminated transmission fluid
• Damaged brake systems
• Rusted suspension components
• Failed bearings and seals

Total loss: If flood damage exceeds 70–80% of your vehicle's value, insurers typically declare it a total loss. You'll receive a payout based on your car's actual cash value (ACV) minus your deductible.

For more on comprehensive coverage, see our guide on comprehensive vs collision insurance.

Does Insurance Cover Driving Through Floodwater?

Yes—with a caveat.

Comprehensive insurance covers flood damage even if you intentionally drove through water. However, some insurers may deny or reduce claims if:

• You drove around barricades or ignored flood warnings
• You repeatedly attempted to start a flooded engine (causing additional damage)
• You drove into obviously dangerous deep water

If you drive through water and stall:

• 1. Do not attempt to restart the engine. Starting a hydrolocked engine can cause catastrophic internal damage.
• 2. Put the car in neutral and push it to safety (if possible).
• 3. Call a tow truck immediately.
• 4. Contact your insurer and file a claim.

Insurers look more favorably on drivers who followed proper procedure after getting stranded versus those who caused additional damage through negligence.

General rule: If the water is deep enough to reach your door sills or cover the bottom of your doors, it's too deep to drive through safely. Turn around.

How to File a Flood Damage Claim

Follow these steps to file a flood damage claim:

1. Document the damage immediately.

• Take photos and videos of the flooded area and your vehicle
• Note water levels (inside and outside the car)
• Photograph any visible damage (engine compartment, interior, trunk)
• Record the date, time, and location

2. Do not attempt to start the vehicle. Starting a flooded engine can turn repairable damage into a total loss. Leave the vehicle off and have it towed.

3. Contact your insurance company immediately.

• Report the claim within 24–48 hours
• Provide photos and documentation
• Ask about the next steps and inspection timeline

4. Have the vehicle inspected.

• Your insurer will send an adjuster to assess damage
• They'll determine if the car is repairable or a total loss
• Get a written estimate

5. Review the settlement offer.

• For total losses, insurers pay your vehicle's actual cash value (ACV) minus your deductible
• If you disagree with the ACV, you can negotiate or provide comparable sales data
• For repairs, review the estimate carefully and ask about diminished value claims

6. Complete repairs or accept the payout.

• If repairable, use an insurer-approved shop for guaranteed workmanship
• If totaled, you'll receive a payout and the insurer takes the vehicle

Important: Never accept a settlement without reviewing it carefully. Once you sign, you can't renegotiate.

What Happens to a Flood-Damaged Car?

Minor flood damage (water up to floor level):

• Often repairable
• Requires thorough drying, cleaning, and disinfection
• May need new carpets, seat padding, and electronics
• Costs typically $2,000–$8,000

Moderate flood damage (water up to dashboard):

• May be totaled depending on vehicle value
• Requires extensive electrical repairs and interior replacement
• High risk of hidden damage and future problems
• Costs typically $8,000–$15,000+

Severe flood damage (water above dashboard or submerged):

• Almost always totaled
• Engine and transmission contamination
• Electrical systems destroyed
• High mold and corrosion risk
• Repair costs often exceed vehicle value

Flood-damaged vehicles often become salvage titles. Even if repaired, flood-damaged cars:

• Lose 20–40% of their value
• Are harder to sell
• May have ongoing electrical and mechanical issues
• Can develop mold and odor problems

If your car is declared a total loss, accepting the payout is usually smarter than trying to repair and keep it.

Will Filing a Flood Claim Raise Your Rates?

Usually not. Comprehensive claims are considered no-fault, so most insurers don't surcharge for weather-related damage.

However:

• Filing multiple comprehensive claims in 3 years may raise rates or lead to non-renewal
• Some insurers treat any claim as a risk signal and increase premiums slightly
• If the claim involves negligence (ignoring flood warnings), rates may increase

Best practice: File a claim only if damage exceeds your deductible by $500+. If repair costs are close to your deductible, paying out of pocket may be smarter to avoid claim history impacts.

What If You Don't Have Comprehensive Coverage?

If you only have liability insurance, you're paying 100% of flood damage out of pocket—often $5,000–$15,000+.

Should you add comprehensive coverage?

Add comprehensive if:

• Your car is worth $3,000+
• You live in a flood-prone area (coastal regions, low-lying areas, near rivers)
• You can't afford $5,000+ in unexpected repair costs
• You park outside or in areas without flood protection

Skip comprehensive if:

• Your car is worth less than $2,000
• Annual comprehensive premium exceeds 10% of your car's value
• You have significant emergency savings

Comprehensive is relatively affordable—often $150–$400/year—and protects against floods, theft, vandalism, and weather damage. For most drivers, it's worth keeping even after dropping collision coverage.

For more guidance on coverage decisions, read our guide on how much car insurance do I need.

How to Protect Your Car from Flooding

Monitor weather forecasts. During hurricane season or heavy rain, stay informed about flood warnings in your area.

Move your car to higher ground. If flooding is predicted:

• Park in a garage on higher floors or elevated parking structures
• Move your vehicle to higher elevation areas away from rivers, streams, and low-lying roads
• Avoid underground parking garages in flood zones

Never drive through flooded roads.

• Turn around, don't drown—even 6 inches of water can sweep away a vehicle
• Water depth is hard to judge, and roads may be washed out underneath
• If you encounter flooding, find an alternate route

Avoid parking near storm drains and retention ponds. These areas flood first during heavy rain.

Install flood alarms in your garage. If you park in a garage, a water alarm alerts you to rising water so you can move your vehicle before it's too late.

Consider gap insurance if you owe more than your car's value. If your car is totaled by flooding and you owe more than its actual cash value, gap insurance covers the difference. For more on gap insurance, see our article on what is gap insurance and do I need it.

Buying a Used Car After a Flood

Watch out for flood-damaged vehicles.

After major hurricanes or floods, thousands of damaged cars enter the used car market—often with clean titles.

Red flags when buying used:

• Musty or moldy smell
• Water stains on upholstery or in the trunk
• Fog or condensation inside lights
• Rust or corrosion in unusual places (under dashboard, inside trunk)
• Electrical issues (malfunctioning windows, lights, gauges)
• Mud or silt in crevices or under carpets

How to protect yourself:

• Run a vehicle history report (Carfax, AutoCheck) for flood damage records
• Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle before buying
• Check the title for "salvage" or "flood" branding
• Be especially cautious buying used cars after major hurricanes (Katrina, Harvey, Ian, etc.)

Flooded vehicles are never worth buying—even at steep discounts. Hidden damage leads to expensive ongoing repairs and safety risks.

Frequently Asked Questions