Heavy Rain Submerges Vehicles Across Regions: Claims Process and Key Tips

Recently, many regions have experienced heavy rainfall, resulting in some vehicles being submerged in floodwater. After a vehicle is flooded, owners should determine the appropriate course of action based on the depth of water immersion: - If the water level did not exceed the area beneath the seats, the vehicle can usually be repaired. - If floodwater rose above the dashboard, the vehicle is generally considered a total loss. - If the water level was between the seats and the dashboard, a professional on-site inspection is required to determine the extent of damage. Vehicle owners should immediately collect evidence and file an insurance claim. Evidence should include: - Photos showing water depth using reference points such as wheels or steps; - Images documenting water intrusion inside the cabin, including the dashboard and seats; - On-site photos clearly showing identifiable landmarks like street signs or building numbers for location verification. It is recommended to enable time-stamp and GPS location features on mobile phones when capturing this evidence. If floodwater is deep, personal safety should take priority—owners should take photos or videos from a safe, elevated distance and verbally state the time and on-site conditions in the recording. After collecting evidence, owners must contact their insurer to file a claim within 48 hours. If a vehicle has been swept away by floodwaters and cannot be recovered, the owner must first report the incident to local police and obtain an official certificate of vehicle loss before proceeding with an insurance claim. During the damage assessment and repair phase, owners may choose either a repair shop partnered with their insurer or request that the vehicle be towed to an authorized brand dealership (4S shop). Before the full extent of damage has been thoroughly assessed, owners should avoid signing any blanket repair authorization agreements, as this could limit their ability to negotiate a total-loss settlement later. For flooded new-energy vehicles (NEVs), transport must be conducted using a flatbed tow truck to move the entire vehicle. Towing with a conventional tow truck that drags the vehicle while its wheels are on the ground is strictly prohibited, as it may cause damage to the vehicle’s electronic control systems. Any additional damage resulting from such improper handling will not be covered by insurance. For gasoline-powered vehicles that stall after driving through floodwater, owners must never attempt to restart the engine. Vehicles equipped with automatic start-stop systems should have this feature disabled during rainy weather driving. The payout amount for a total loss is determined according to the policy terms: if the policy explicitly states an insured amount, compensation will follow that figure; if the insured amount is ambiguous, compensation will be calculated based on the vehicle’s actual cash value immediately prior to the incident. Given the rapid depreciation of new-energy vehicles, policyholders are strongly advised to clearly specify the insured amount when purchasing coverage. In case of disputes with the insurer regarding damage assessment or compensation, policyholders may call the consumer protection hotline 12378 to file a complaint and seek assistance.