Severe Weather And Auto Insurance: What's The Deal?

Weather-related damage to your car can be covered by insurance, but it depends on the type of insurance you have. Comprehensive coverage is an optional insurance policy that covers damage to your car from most environmental causes, including wind, hail, flooding, and fallen trees. If you live in an area where severe weather is common, it is recommended that you consider comprehensive insurance. However, you cannot add comprehensive coverage to your policy after news of an impending storm has already been announced. Therefore, if you are caught without comprehensive coverage during severe weather and your car is damaged, you may not be able to get insurance coverage for the repairs or replacement.

Comprehensive insurance covers weather damage

Comprehensive insurance is a type of automobile insurance that covers damage to your car from causes other than a collision. It covers damage to your car from animals, falling trees, natural disasters, theft, and vandalism. It does not cover damage to other vehicles or people.

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from weather events, including storms, hail, wind, floods, and lightning. It can help pay for repairs or a replacement vehicle if your car is damaged by floods, hurricanes, tornados, falling objects, wildfires, earthquakes, hail, or volcanic activity. It is important to note that comprehensive insurance is optional in all 50 states, but your lender will likely require it if you have an auto loan or lease.

If you live in an area prone to severe weather, comprehensive insurance is highly recommended. It can provide financial protection against weather-related damage, such as fallen trees or flooding, and give you peace of mind during storms. Additionally, if you live in an area with active volcanoes, comprehensive insurance can provide coverage for volcano-related damage to your vehicle.

Comprehensive insurance also covers damage caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes and wildfires. It is worth noting that comprehensive insurance does not cover damage caused by collisions or potholes; for that, you would need collision insurance.

You can't get insurance after a storm is announced

Storms can cause extensive damage to vehicles, from flooding and saltwater inundation to damage from hail, high winds, and falling trees or debris. If you live in an area prone to severe weather, it's essential to be prepared and understand your insurance coverage.

Comprehensive auto insurance is an optional coverage type that protects your vehicle from damage caused by non-crash-related incidents, including severe weather events. This includes damage from floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, falling objects, wildfires, earthquakes, and hail. While comprehensive coverage is optional in all 50 states, lenders will often require it if you have an auto loan or lease.

If you're facing an impending storm, it's important to note that you cannot purchase comprehensive coverage for your vehicle after news of the approaching storm has been announced. Insurance companies will not allow you to add this coverage retroactively to protect yourself from the storm's potential damage. Therefore, it's crucial to plan ahead and consider purchasing comprehensive coverage before any projected or approaching storms if you want your vehicle to be protected.

If you already have comprehensive coverage and your vehicle sustains storm-related damage, there are several steps you should take. First, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to provide an accurate and detailed account of what happened. Leave your car parked and do not drive it until an insurance adjuster has inspected it, as driving it could cause further damage or hide serious underlying issues. Take photos and videos of any damage and make detailed notes, as this documentation will be valuable for your insurance claim. Remember that your insurance company may take several days or longer to assess your claim, especially if a large-scale disaster has affected many vehicles in the area.

Flooded engines and electrical problems

Flooded engines are a common occurrence in vehicles, especially those with carbureted engines. This happens when there is an excess of fuel and not enough air in the engine, resulting in an air-fuel mixture that cannot be ignited. This often occurs when a vehicle is started in cold weather and turned off before the engine is properly warmed up. The low temperature causes the fuel to not ignite properly, and the fuel pump continues to add more fuel, leading to flooding. Flooded engines can also be caused by issues with the carburetor, such as a defective carburetor float or debris caught in the needle valve.

The symptoms of a flooded engine include a strong smell of petrol, abnormal whirring sounds, and the engine cranking but not starting or starting briefly and then cutting out. If you encounter these symptoms, you can try to clear the flooded engine by following these steps:

• Close any doors and windows or ensure proper ventilation if your car is in a garage.
• Crank the engine with the accelerator pedal pushed to the floor and hold it there without pumping the pedal.
• Continue cranking the engine for up to 10 seconds until you hear the engine trying to start.
• Once the engine starts, allow it to rev up for a few seconds, then hold it at a higher-than-normal idle speed momentarily.
• If the engine doesn't start within 10 seconds, there may be other issues, and it's best to consult a professional mechanic.

It's important to note that modern fuel-injected engines are less susceptible to flooding compared to older carbureted engines. However, it's still possible for fuel-injected engines to flood if they are turned off while still cold and then restarted within a short period.

In addition to flooded engines, severe weather conditions can also cause electrical problems in vehicles. Heavy rain and flooding can lead to water damage, especially if the vehicle is parked in low-lying areas prone to flooding. Even a few inches of water can splash into the engine, causing damage. Additionally, electrical components in a vehicle may be affected by water exposure, leading to issues with the vehicle's electrical systems. Therefore, it is crucial to keep vehicles away from areas prone to flooding and to be cautious when driving through flooded areas.

Documenting damage for insurance claims

Documenting damage accurately and thoroughly is essential when making an insurance claim after severe weather. It can speed up the claims process and increase the chances of a fair payout. Here are some detailed, practical steps to help you document damage effectively:

Take Detailed Photographs

Use photographs to visually document the damage. Take multiple shots from different angles, capturing close-ups of specific damage and wider shots to show the overall impact. Photograph all affected areas, including structural damage to your home or vehicle, damaged belongings, and any relevant landmarks for context. If it's safe, take a video of the damage, describing what is being shown to provide additional context. For example, if there is an active water leak, try to capture this on video.

Create a Written Inventory

Make a detailed list of all damaged items, including descriptions, makes, models, and any unique identifying features. Note the condition of items before and after the incident, as well as their approximate value. This inventory will be very useful when negotiating with the insurance company.

Gather Relevant Documents

Collect and organise all relevant documents, such as maintenance records, repair invoices, and receipts for damaged items. The insurance policy document itself will also be required, so keep this accessible.

Seek Professional Assessments

Consider hiring professionals, such as contractors or appraisers, to assess the damage objectively. Their expert opinion on the extent of the damage and the cost of repairs or replacements can strengthen your claim. Keep detailed records of their assessments and reports.

Document All Communication

Keep a thorough record of all communication with the insurance company, including dates, times, names of representatives, and a summary of what was discussed. Try to move conversations to email where possible, so you have a digital record of all interactions.

Additional Tips for Vehicle Damage

If your vehicle has been damaged, be sure to secure important documents like the title and registration. This can help speed up the claims process. Do not drive the vehicle unless you are certain the damage is minor, as you should wait for an adjuster to assess the damage.

Natural disasters and acts of God

Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your car from weather events, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, rain, high winds, hail, wildfires, earthquakes, and volcanoes. It also covers damage from falling objects, such as trees or debris. If you live in an area prone to severe weather, it is a good idea to consider comprehensive insurance.

However, comprehensive coverage does not apply if your vehicle is damaged while being driven during a storm. For example, if you hydroplane off the road, you would need to file a collision claim subject to deductibles. Comprehensive coverage only applies to parked vehicles or those damaged by falling trees or debris when not in motion.

It is important to note that comprehensive coverage is optional in all 50 states. If you do not have comprehensive coverage and your vehicle is damaged by a natural disaster, you may be responsible for the repairs or replacement.

In some cases, insurers may deny comprehensive claims for severe thunderstorms or other isolated storms unless government authorities classify the event as a formal natural disaster. Obtaining documentation, such as local weather reports, photos, videos, and inspection reports, can help prove the severity of the event and strengthen your claim.

Frequently asked questions