Heavy rains and flash floods are serious safety hazards — to you and your car. According to the National Weather Service, it only takes 12 inches of fast-moving water to sweep away a small-sized vehicle. What should you do if a major downpour strikes while you're on the road? Take a look at the steps to take if you're driving during a flood.
Turn Around
“Turn around — don't drown” is the best advice you can take when driving during a severe downpour. It isn't always easy to judge how deep floors waters are. Several inches (or more) of water can look deceptively like a light layer on the road.
If the road is flooded, or you're not sure how deep the water is, turn around immediately. During a severe thunderstorm, it can take time for first responders to arrive on the scene. This means roadblocks and closures won't go into effect immediately.
Avoiding flooded roads isn't advice that only small-sized car drivers should follow. Even though an SUV or truck may have four-wheel drive or a sit higher up than a sedan, these vehicles are no match for rushing flood waters.
Roll Down the Windows
Even though avoidance is the best form of prevention, if you do get caught in flood you need to stay safe. Roll down the car windows immediately. This allows you to exit the car before the electrical system shorts out or stops working. Letting water in also helps to equalize the pressure inside the car, making it more likely that you can open the door.
Forget about your purse, keys, cell phone, or anything else that you left in the car. These are all replaceable — but you aren't. Get to a safe place as soon as possible. As little as 6 inches of rushing water can drag an adult down.
Call Your Insurance Agent
After you're safe (ideally emergency responders are on the scene to help), you need to assess the damage to your car. Following the flood, after the water has subsided, call your insurance agent. The type of coverage you have dictates how much the insurance company will pay for flood-related damages.
Don't assume that your policy covers all, or even any, of the costs to repair your car. Most comprehensive coverages will pay for some or all the damage minus the deductible. But if you didn't elect comprehensive coverage, don't expect the same type of payment.
While comprehensive coverage may seem more expensive, these policies pay for more in the long run. Likewise, a high-deductible policy costs less up front. But in the event of a flood (or other damage), you'll have higher out-of-pocket costs.
If the car is a total loss, don't except to get back 100 percent of what you originally paid for it or what you still owe. A comprehensive policy will pay for the car's current value. Subtract the amount of depreciation from the original price to calculate this value.
Understand the Coverage
Talking to your insurance agent about the different types of coverage beforehand is an easy way to make sure that you have a policy that meets your needs. This should include reviewing what the insurance does, or doesn't, cover. While comprehensive policies will typically pay for some or most of the costs following a flood, the specifics of your coverage may include exclusions.
Added electronics, such as a navigation system or stereo, may not fall under your policy's coverage. Along with these types of exclusion, some policies won't cover damage resulting from driver error (such as leaving your windows open when your car is parked outdoors during a rainstorm).
Are you covered for auto-related flood damage? Contact United Counties Insurance Group for more information.
