My car just got flooded: Will insurance cover the damage?
Personal Injury News
Article Date: 1/21/2010 | Resource: MLG
My car just got flooded: Will insurance cover the damage?
Weve all seen the images of cars under water or stalled in flooded intersections due to the severe weather weve been experiencing this week. While the first priority for drivers stuck in this situation is to get out safely, a question they soon must face is, Whos going to pay for the damage?
Well, if you have comprehensive insurance as part of your automobile policy, youll be covered. If you only have liability coverage, you wont be so lucky.
There are a lot of people out there only with liability, which is mandated by the state, said Pete Moraga, a spokesman with the non-profit Insurance Information Network of California.
If you only have liability, it will not cover you. If you have comprehensive as part of your insurance, that will cover any type of damage not related to an accident with another vehicle.
If your car gets stolen, if a tree falls on it, a rock slides into it or there is flooding, those situations are all types covered by comprehensive coverage, Moraga said. Of course, youll still have to pay the deductible.
If you are financing your car, or leasing, (comprehensive insurance) is usually required, Moraga said. The bank is ultimately responsible.
Moraga said that including comprehensive coverage to your plan usually costs an extra $100 to $200 a year.
Is that premium worth the peace of mind?
Its a personal decision based on your finances, he said. If you have a older car, you may only want liability.
If you are among the unfortunate drivers whose car was damaged in the storm, heres what steps you should take:
Call your insurance agent immediately to get the process going on the claim.
Assess the damage and take photos of the car. Just make sure you have documentation of whats going on, Moraga says.
Do everything you can to comply with the insurer.
Your insurance company will usually send an adjuster to your house or the shop where youre having the car repaired, Moraga says. If the cost to fix the car is worth more than the car is worth, you might have an option to take a payout.
For more information regarding this article please contact:
Jeffrey Marquart
(949)589-0150
jmarquart@marquartlawgroup.com