Publish Date: 31-12-2025
Auto Insurance
Does Car Insurance Cover Flood Damage?
Car insurance covers flood damage only when you have comprehensive coverage on your policy. This part of your auto insurance is designed to protect your vehicle from rising water, storm surge, or a sudden natural disaster. Liability or collision will not help in a flood. If you want protection from water damage, make sure comprehensive coverage is included in your car insurance.
Need a cheap auto insurance quote online to protect your vehicle from flood damage? Get same-day, affordable full-coverage auto insurance with instant proof today.
What Type of Car Insurance Covers Flood Damage?
Car insurance has different parts, and each one covers something specific. Flood damage is handled by only one of them. Here is how each coverage works.
- Liability: Liability auto insurance pays for injuries or property damage you cause to someone else. It does not pay for water or flood damage to your own car.
- Collision: Collision insurance helps when your vehicle hits another car or object. It does not cover flooding or water damage caused by storms, rising water, or natural disasters.
- Comprehensive: Comprehensive car insurance is the part of your policy that protects your vehicle from flood damage. It typically covers losses from rising water, storm surge, flash floods, or severe weather.
- Please note that if you have full coverage car insurance, you’ll also be covered under a comprehensive policy, as it combines collision, comprehensive, and liability. Learn more about how full coverage handles flood damage.
When Flood Damage Is Covered?
Flood damage is covered when you have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. It applies to sudden, unexpected events caused by severe weather or rising water.
Here are the most common situations where your insurer typically covers the loss.
- Rising water: Rising water: Your car may be damaged when water builds up on streets, driveways, or parking areas during heavy rain. For details on rain and flood-related water damage to your car, read our article on whether car insurance covers water damage from rain or floods.
- Storm surge: Waves or coastal water pushed inland during a major storm damage your vehicle.
- Flash floods: Fast moving water from a sudden downpour reaches your car and causes mechanical or electrical damage.
- Submersion: Your vehicle is partially or fully underwater during a flood.
- Natural disasters: Events such as hurricanes or severe storms cause flooding that damages your vehicle.
When Flood Damage Is Not Covered?
As we said. comprehensive coverage protects your car from most sudden flood events. However, it will not apply in every situation. Insurers review how the damage happened and whether the loss could have been avoided.
Here are the most common exclusions you should know.
Situation | Why It’s Not Covered |
Intentional damage | Insurance will not pay for damage caused on purpose or staged. |
Pre-existing flood damage | Damage that happened before you added comprehensive coverage is not eligible. |
Wear, rust, or slow leaks | These are maintenance issues, not sudden losses caused by a flood. |
Driving into deep water | If the engine hydrolocks after you enter water that was clearly unsafe, the claim may be denied. |
Does Flood Coverage Cost Extra?
Yes! It does. For Flood protection, you have to have comprehensive coverage, which is optional on most auto policies. You pay extra for it because it adds protection beyond basic liability.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the national average cost for comprehensive insurance is $196 per year. However, the exact cost depends on your location, vehicle type, and claim history. Drivers in flood-prone areas may pay more
A deductible also applies. This is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance helps repair or replace your vehicle. You can choose a higher or lower deductible based on your budget. The most common comprehensive auto insurance deductibles typically range from $250 to $1,000, with $500 being the most popular choice.
Coverage limits matter as well. Your insurer will pay up to your car’s actual cash value if it is a total loss. Choosing the right limits makes sure your vehicle is protected if a major flood occurs.
What To Do If Your Car Is Flooded
If your car is flooded, follow these steps right away:
- Don’t approach the car if water is still rising. Floodwater can be dangerous.
- Avoid starting the engine as it may further damage your vehicle.
- Take photos and videos of the water level, interior, and any visible damage.
- Call your insurer to report the claim as soon as possible.
- If water has receded and it’s safe to do so, move your car to higher ground.
- Have your insurer or a professional inspect the vehicle to assess the damage.
How to File a Flood Claim for Your Vehicle
Follow these steps to start your flood damage claim:
- Contact your insurance company as soon as you notice the damage
- Share your policy number and basic details about the flood event
- Take clear photos and videos of the damage to include with your claim
- Avoid starting the car so you do not cause more harm to the engine
- Provide any documents your insurer requests, such as repair estimates or location details
- Schedule an inspection so an adjuster can evaluate the vehicle
- Review the settlement offer and ask questions if anything is unclear
Tips to Protect Your Car From Floods
CARFAX estimates that more than 300,000 vehicles are damaged by flooding each year. That’s why you should always stay ahead and take a few simple steps to protect your car from any upcoming flood:
- Park on higher ground when heavy rain is expected.
- Avoid low areas that collect water, such as underpasses or basement garages.
- Check that windows, doors, and the sunroof seal properly before storms.
- Move your car to a safe location if your area receives a flood watch.
- Never drive through standing water because even shallow water can damage your engine.
- Keep your comprehensive coverage active if you live in a flood-prone area.
- Store important documents and emergency items in a dry, secure place inside your car.
Related Articles:
- Does car insurance cover hurricane damage?
- Does car insurance cover fire damage?
- Does liability insurance cover theft?
Does Insurance Cover Flood Damaged Car FAQs
Does L.A. Insurance cover flood damage to your car?
Yes. If you have comprehensive coverage, L.A. Insurance will pay for the flooded vehicles up to the coverage limit. Whether you’re hit by storms, floods, or other natural disasters, simply call our support center (800) 893-9393 to report your claim. One of our insurance adjusters will contact you promptly to review and process your claim.
How long does a flood damage claim usually take?
Flood damage car insurance claims usually take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to settle. A few factors can delay the claim, including high claim volume, documentation issues, disputes over the car’s actual value and repair costs, and loan and lease complications.
Does basic car insurance cover flood damage?
No. Basic car insurance only includes liability coverage, which does not protect your own vehicle from flooding or water damage. You need comprehensive coverage on your policy if you want protection from floods.
Does collision coverage pay for flood damage?
No. Collision covers damage from hitting another vehicle or object. Flooding and water damage are not collision losses.
Can insurance deny a flood damage claim?
Yes. Insurance may deny a claim if the damage existed before you bought comprehensive coverage, if it resulted from poor maintenance, or if you drove into deep water that was clearly unsafe. Insurers only cover sudden and accidental flood damage.
Will car insurance cover my vehicle if it was parked during the flood?
Yes, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. Flood damage is covered whether the car was parked or moving.
Does insurance cover mold or interior damage after a flood?
Yes. Comprehensive coverage typically pays for mold, soaked upholstery, and other interior damage caused by floodwater.
Will my deductible apply to a flood damage claim?
Yes. Your comprehensive deductible applies to any flood-related claim. This is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance covers the rest. Choosing a higher or lower deductible affects your premium and how much you pay at claim time.
Does insurance cover a rental car if mine is flooded?
Only if you added rental reimbursement coverage to your auto policy. This optional coverage helps you pay for a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired or evaluated after a flood.
Is flood coverage required in any state?
No state requires drivers to carry flood coverage on a car. Flood protection is optional and comes from comprehensive coverage. Drivers in high-risk flood areas like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and California often choose it to avoid paying out of pocket after a major storm.
Tag :
Auto insurance
Does Car Insurance Cover Flood Damage?
Car insurance covers flood damage only when you have comprehensive coverage on your policy. This part of your auto insurance is designed to protect your vehicle from rising water, storm surge, or a sudden natural disaster. Liability or collision will not help in a flood. If you want protection from water damage, make sure comprehensive coverage is included in your car insurance.
Can a Car Have Two Insurance Policies?
Yes. You can carry two auto insurance policies at the same time. That can happen in a few different ways, and the rules that apply depend on the situation. Some drivers insure a single car under two policies. Others carry separate policies for different vehicles. Still others end up listed on someone else’s policy while also carrying their own.
Does My Car Insurance Cover Other Drivers?
Car insurance does not automatically cover every traffic accident. But in many situations, your policy can extend coverage to another driver. This usually happens when the person driving your car has your permission, is properly disclosed to the insurer, and does not fall under an exclusion.
Does Car Insurance Cover Fire Damage?
A car fire can be devastating, but if you have the right coverage, you can be on the safer side, at least financially. So, the answer is yes. Car insurance does cover fire damage. Most drivers are protected when they carry comprehensive coverage, since it can cover fire damage to your car from mechanical issues, wildfires, garage fires, or arson, as long as the event wasn’t intentional. If a crash sparks the fire, collision coverage may step in. And if the fire is a consequence of an accident caused by another driver, their liability insurance policy may cover the damage.
Does Full Coverage Car Insurance Cover Flood Damage?
Yes, full coverage car insurance covers flood damage. It protects your car through comprehensive coverage (part of full coverage), which handles most water and storm-related losses. If you carry comprehensive or full coverage, your insurer will help repair or replace your vehicle when rising water, heavy rain, or a sudden flood damages it. It’s one of the few coverages that steps in when a natural disaster affects your car
Does Auto Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?
Hurricanes pose a serious threat to vehicles, particularly when storms move inland. In 2024, CARFAX reported more than 347,000 hurricane-related vehicle damages. Floodwaters can quickly destroy engines, while powerful winds and flying debris may total a car within minutes. This is why understanding whether your auto insurance covers hurricane damage is so important.
