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Will flood insurance help replace my car?
Living in Louisiana, we get hit with a lot of floods. This past weekend we had some minor hurricane activity and the house was fine, but my garage is completely flooded and my car was underwater. I know my garage is covered, but will my flood insurance help replace my car?
Chloe Jenkins · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“I’m so sorry to hear about the flooding, I know it can be a frustrating situation to deal with, but we’re here to help. Generally, flood insurance does not cover damage to motor vehicles (including cars, ATVs, motorcycles, watercraft, etc.) even if they are parked in your garage. If your car is damaged by a flood, you would make a claim under your car insurance policy—provided you have
comprehensive coverage
. If you can’t remember if you have comprehensive coverage, you can check online, on your company’s app, or call your company directly. If you find out you have comprehensive, you can file a claim using the same methods.
Keep in mind that a standard car insurance policy does not include comprehensive coverage; you usually have to add it to your policy. This can be done any time, simply by reaching out to your agent or accessing your policy online. If you do not have comprehensive coverage, now might be the right time to shop for another policy that includes it. The
Jerry
app can help. Compare competitive quotes from more than 50 of the country’s top providers to find the policy that fits your needs and your budget.Without comprehensive coverage, you may be left to cover the damage on your own. However, if the flood damage occurs during a declared emergency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be able to help cover the costs through their Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program. There is no guarantee, but it’s certainly worth looking into.
If your car is
totaled due to water damage
after a flood—meaning the cost of repairs outweighs the actual cash value of the vehicle—your insurance company will pay you the car’s fair market value, minus your deductible. You can use this money to purchase another vehicle.I hope your life settles back into normalcy soon. Stay safe.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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