Before the storm: a checklist for your car
- Move it to higher ground. Low streets near the Intracoastal, the New River and the canals flood first in a surge. A parking garage upper level or a lot on higher ground beats a driveway on a low street.
- Fill the tank, or charge an EV to its normal daily level. Gas stations and power can be out for days after landfall.
- Photograph the car inside and out, plus the odometer and the VIN on the dash. These “before” photos make a claim much easier.
- Check the basics: tire pressure, wiper blades and the 12V battery. A weak battery can leave the car dead after days of sitting.
- Seal your papers. Put the registration, insurance card and a spare key in a zip bag and take them with you.
- Clear the sunroof and cowl drains. Blocked drains let rain into the cabin even when the street never floods.
During the storm
Do not drive through standing water. The National Weather Service warns that just 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and you cannot see how deep a flooded street is or whether the road under it is gone. If water rises around a parked car, leave it. A car can be replaced.
After a flood: the first 24 hours
- Do not start the engine. If water reached the air intake, cranking can bend the connecting rods.
- Photograph the waterline on the doors, seats and engine bay before anything dries. Add a photo of the street if you can.
- Disconnect the 12V battery if it is safe to do so.
- Open a comprehensive claim with your insurer and write down the claim number. Liability-only policies usually do not cover flood damage.
- Open the doors and windows if the weather allows, to slow mold. Do not throw out soaked items until the adjuster has seen them.
- Get it inspected. If the car cannot be driven, call the shop to schedule pickup.
Reading the waterline
| Water reached | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Below the wheel hubs | Brakes, bearings and underbody checked; often a light repair |
| Hubs to the door sills | Fluids, exhaust, starter and low wiring at risk |
| Over the floor | Carpet, seat motors, airbag and body modules under the seats and in the footwells |
| Seat cushions or higher | Major electrical and interior damage; insurers often total the car |
Salt water from a surge does more harm than rain water. It keeps corroding copper wiring and aluminum parts after the car dries, so always tell the adjuster and the shop which kind of water it was.
What your insurance claim needs
- Claim number and policy details
- Before-storm photos, if you took them
- Waterline photos inside and out, with the date
- A written inspection report with photos of each finding and fault-code printouts
- A line-item estimate, plus supplements if teardown finds more damage
Our flood-damaged car repair team builds that file, talks to your adjuster and pushes back when an estimate misses real damage. More on the process: insurance and warranty claims.
Buying a used car after hurricane season
Flooded cars are cleaned up and resold, sometimes in other states with a clean-looking title. Warning signs:
- A musty or heavy air-freshener smell
- New carpet or seat covers in an older car
- Silt or water lines under the spare tire and behind panels
- Rust on seat rails, pedal brackets and screws under the dashboard
- Fog or water spots inside headlights and taillights
- Warning lights that come and go
Check the title history for a flood, salvage or rebuilt brand, then have a pre-purchase inspection done before you pay.
Resumen en español
Antes de un huracán, lleve su auto a un lugar alto, llene el tanque y tome fotos del auto por dentro y por fuera. Después de una inundación, no encienda el motor, fotografíe la marca del agua y abra un reclamo con su seguro. En Prestige Auto Repairs & Tires inspeccionamos autos inundados, documentamos el daño para el ajustador y le atendemos en español. Más información en reparación de autos inundados y chocados.
