How to spot a car that has been flooded !!

[Paula]

Coming across a flooded car is not as uncommon as you might think. Our ‘summers’ are getting wetter and the sight of a river bursting its banks after a downpour isn’t that unusual. And what’s the first thing you see on the news behind the reporter up to his waist in water? A car, up to its windows, just behind him!

The unthinkable floods that struck the UK in the summer of 2007 cost billions of pounds to clean up – and motorists didn’t escape lightly. Experts say the final bill for water-damaged cars topped £100m that year – and the affects are still being felt now.

The scale of the problem was huge. RBS Insurance, for example, usually deal with just 350 flood claims in an average summer month - but back in July 2007 it received more than 11,000 calls, including 3,900 in just one day.

Those drivers would have seen the devastating affect water ingress has on modern cars. Some 75 per cent of vehicles caught up in floods are written off and sent to the crusher, but some still make it back to forecourts - and it’s these you need to be on the look out for, even now, two years on.

Thanks to…

AA: The AA: Breakdown Cover, Car Insurance, Life, Motoring Advice, Travel and Maps, 0800 085 2721
RAC: Breakdown Cover, Car Insurance and route planner available from RAC., 0800 029 029
Green Flag: Breakdown cover, European breakdown cover, roadside assistance | Green Flag, 0845 246 1557

[Davaro]

As an Insurance Investigator, it is my experience that the majority of cars that you describe (IE: that find their ways back on the forecourt) were not comprehensively insured when the incident took place - they only had 3rd Party cover.

What happens is these people then dry the car out, get it going and sell it.

Check the history of the vehicle, was it insured and what cover. If comprehensive, you can get a report from the insurer as to claims submitted.

If not, stay away or have it checked by an expert. Things to look for would be behind the upholstery, inside panels that normally would not have silt build-up etc. Under carpets...

[Paula]

Thanks Dave,

That's great advice.....

Take care

Paula

Originally Posted by Davaro

As an Insurance Investigator, it is my experience that the majority of cars that you describe (IE: that find their ways back on the forecourt) were not comprehensively insured when the incident took place - they only had 3rd Party cover.

What happens is these people then dry the car out, get it going and sell it.

Check the history of the vehicle, was it insured and what cover. If comprehensive, you can get a report from the insurer as to claims submitted.

If not, stay away or have it checked by an expert. Things to look for would be behind the upholstery, inside panels that normally would not have silt build-up etc. Under carpets...