You can control your diet, but the occurrence of natural disasters is never in your hands. Here’s how to claim motor insurance when vehicle is water damaged, discussed in the further section.
With the unpredictable weather, typhoons may happen and cause a flood. Your car may be stuck in the middle of it, soaked in water, sustaining significant damage.
During this kind of situation, you cannot help but think about the amount of money you will need to repair the damage. That is when insurance will come to your rescue.
Does Your Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Whether or not your motor insurance will cover water or flood damage depends on the plan you availed. Flood damage is only included in comprehensive coverage, which is optional like Third-party insurance.
A Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy covers damages brought upon by natural calamities like earthquakes, cyclones, floods, etc. It also includes damages caused by accidents, theft, fire, and man-made calamities.
Inevitable events are the reasons why you have to consider the extent of the insurance coverage before you avail of one. Water damage can create a severe impact on your car and will reduce its value.
Repair, and in severe cases, the total loss is very expensive. Comprehensive car insurance may seem to cost more, but it will end up saving you more money during unexpected situations.
In case you cannot save your car anymore, you can still make use of it. Here is an article on where to purchase water damaged cars for the shops that can potentially buy yours.
9 Steps To Claim Motor Insurance For Water Damage
This section will walk you through the step-by-step process of registering a claim for water damage.
Step #1. Contact the insurance provider
One of the first things you have to do in case of vehicle water damage is to get in touch with your insurance provider. You can do this through a text message or a toll-free number.
Step #2. Fill in the provider with details
On the message or call, tell the provider all the necessary details, honestly and precisely. Please provide as much information as you can, like the location of the car during the damage or whether or not you were driving when it broke down.
Step #3. Claim registration number
Once the insurance provider is aware of the details, they will issue a Claim Registration Number to you. You can use it as a reference number.
Step #4. Details of pick up
After that, expect that the provider will fill you in with the details of the pick-up. They will notify you of the exact time when they will bring your car to the nearest garage.
Step #5. Payment details
The provider will then send a surveyor to assess the damage in your car and determine the amount they will be paying you as a claim towards your vehicle repair. They will also notify you of the percentage of the amount that you will have to pay on your own.
They will claim that the amount and benefits you will receive are based upon the terms and conditions of the policy, which you read from the beginning. You must thoroughly check for any discrepancies in the claim amount and consult the provider right away.
Step #6. Sign claim approval sheet
Once you and the provider meet halfway and all your concerns have been addressed, you can now sign the claim approval sheet. It is best to save your own copy for future reference.
Step #7. Get updates
After the agreement, ask the provider regarding the expected finish of the repair. Also, check the garage where your car is regularly for updates.
Step #8. Check the repair
When the repair is done, thoroughly inspect your vehicle, going through every detail, to make sure you avoid further damage. Once you are satisfied, it is your turn to pay your share after the provider has settled the claim.
Step #9. Sign the papers
The last step is the easiest yet the most crucial. Sign all the necessary documents, and your car will be ready again for use.
Overcoming water damage to cars
Floods are usually unexpected; you may be caught up in the situation. Although insurance is there, preventing severe water damage from affecting your car is still your best option.
Here are some precautions you can take to reduce and prevent damage to your vehicle.
- Parking your car in a higher place will reduce the risk of water entering your vehicle’s interior and creating damage.
- Make sure to roll up the windows to avoid water from entering any gap in the window and damaging your car’s upholstery and electronic components.
- As much as possible, try disconnecting the battery to avoid accidental short circuits.
You can also check for the signs of water damage by reading this article on how to look for a water damaged car.
Conclusion
Getting yourself familiar with how to claim motor insurance when vehicle is water damaged is essential. It will save you from unnecessary hassle and make saving your precious car more efficient.