Flooded Streets Damaging Cars across the State

AAA Offer Tips for Car Care and Insurance Claims

Driving your vehicle through a flooded roadway could be both dangerous and expensive. This, the warning from AAA as drivers across Connecticut find themselves, and sometimes their passengers, stranded on heavily flooded streets.

“Driving through a flooded intersection or roadway is putting yourself, your passengers and anyone who then must come to your rescue at unnecessary risk”, says Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in Greater Hartford. “Even if you make it through, the damage to your car could be costly”.

If your vehicle shuts down in standing water, do not try to restart it. That could cause more water to enter the engine and cost thousands of dollars to repair.

Flooded roads may also damage your car by:

• Flood your engine
• Warp brake rotors
• Cause loss of power steering
• Cause shorts in electrical components

Mechanical components, computer systems, engine, transmission, axles, brake system and fuel system impacted by water contamination may render the vehicle unfit to drive and in many cases vehicles sustaining significant water damage will be determined to be a total loss.

AAA encourages any drivers with flood-damaged vehicles to find a trusted mechanic at any one of our AAA-Approved Auto Repair centers across the state. Here’s a list of AAA-Approved Repair facilities.

Is flood damage to my car covered by Insurance?

Becoming stranded in flood waters may be much more than just an inconvenience, it could represent a significant expense. Damage caused by floodwaters is only covered for drivers who have the OPTIONAL comprehensive portion of an auto policy.

AAA Tips on Auto Insurance Claims:

• Any vehicle sustaining flood damage should be fully inspected before being allowed back on the road.
• Physical damage to a car caused by flooding is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto policy.
• Car owners should contact their insurance company to determine the extent of coverage before seeking repairs.
• Take photographs of any visible damage.

AAA Tips for driving in wet weather:

Wet pavement contributes to more than a million crashes each year.

1. Slow down – drivers want to give themselves every advantage in unfavorable conditions.  Driving defensively is key.
2. See and be seen – make sure your headlights, tail lights and brake lights are clean and in good working order so you can see other motorists and pedestrians and they can see you.
3. Increase Following Distance – drivers should increase following distance from the normal 3-4 cars lengths under dry conditions to 8-10 car lengths instead.
4. Avoid cruise control – under wet road conditions, drivers should maintain full control of their vehicles

Follow us on Twitter: @AAAHartfordNews

CT Mailing Address:
815 Farmington Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06119

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 58 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Connecticut.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. For more information, visit www.aaa.com.