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How do you minimize flood damage to the interior of your car?
Unfortunately, this week my car got caught in some flooding down in Louisiana. What can I do to minimize the damage inside my car?
Will Baldwin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that!
It’s very important you act fast to limit the
water damage
as much as you can. Before you do anything, remove all loose things from the vehicle such as floor mats, seat covers, etc. Hang them up either in your house or outside in the sun to dry. The second thing you need to do is towel off and vacuum out all the excess water still in the vehicle. Start with the vacuum to remove the major pools and then finish with a towel, wiping and removing any and all water you can.
Once you’ve towelled and vacuumed as much water as you can, the next step is to use fans. Use them to blow around the interior and evaporate as much water as possible. Then, use a portable dehumidifier with the windows rolled up. Doing this will pull all the residual moisture out of the fabrics. If you don’t have a dehumidifier handy, try baking soda instead, as baking soda also absorbs moisture.
At the end, when you’ve done all that you can and your car is dry, assess the damage. Ideally, you got all the water out before there was too much damage.
If you notice significant damage to the interior of your car and you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance may be able to help. Give your company a call to see if water damage is covered under your current policy. If it is and the cost to repair the damage is higher than your deductible, it may be worth filing a claim.
Keep in mind that filing a claim will raise your rates. If you want help shopping for great coverage at a low price, try using the
Jerry
app. Jerry compares rates from up to 50 top providers and delivers the best deals to your phone in minutes for free.”View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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