Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in the United States. Whether you closely follow the news or not, floods have become more frequent in many states. Floodwaters wreak havoc on cars, and as water seeps into the vehicle, mildew and mold can develop. The water can also corrode wires and cause electrical problems. And a flooded engine may never allow you to drive again. That’s why it’s vital to protect your car before the next flood.
It Depends on the Type of Car Insurance
We often get asked if car insurance covers flood damage. This depends on the type of car insurance you own. Standard auto insurance doesn’t provide coverage for flood damage. To make sure your vehicle is covered for flood damage, you need to opt for a comprehensive insurance policy. Here’s what you need to know.
Comprehensive Car Insurance Coverage
Your vehicle is covered against flood damage if you have comprehensive insurance as part of your auto insurance policy. It’s a common mistake among car owners to assume that standard auto insurance covers everything. Standard auto insurance policies only protect car owners if they cause an accident, damage another car/property, or injure another person.
Comprehensive car insurance, on the other hand, covers damage to your vehicle — caused by external events that are out of your control. This type of car insurance helps pay for damage caused by accidents (i.e. natural disasters) that don’t involve a collision with another car or property. Comprehensive auto insurance policies also cover catastrophic events like falling objects, windstorms and tornados, hail, and lighting.
When to Buy Comprehensive Coverage
As you probably know, comprehensive coverage is more expensive than a standard auto insurance policy. It’s important to think about the worth of your car and how much it will cost to repair or replace it if something goes wrong. You may need to purchase a comprehensive auto insurance policy if any of the following situations apply to you:
- You have an auto loan. If your car is damaged and you don’t have enough coverage, you could be left making loan payments without a car.
- You have a lease. Those that have a car lease may be required to purchase comprehensive auto coverage.
- Cost of care and repair. It’s important to think about how much it will take to repair or replace your car. Also, you may not want to take the risk if you own an expensive car.
- Your location. If your area faces a high risk of flooding, you may need to purchase comprehensive coverage.
Some car owners may be wondering if they can include comprehensive auto coverage in their existing policy when a potential flood is predicted. Most auto insurance companies have binding limits included in their auto insurance policy. If a flood is predicted, your insurer may not allow you to make changes to your existing auto insurance policy. So, you may want to purchase comprehensive coverage before the flood damage occurs.
We Can Help
If you’re trying to decide whether to get comprehensive auto insurance coverage or have difficulty figuring out which auto plan is right for you, contact Redwood Agency Group today.
