Owners of vehicles that incurred water damage from Hurricane Ida might find that their insurance does not cover damages due to flooding.
New vehicles still covered by loan or lease will most likely have comprehensive insurance, unlike those units that have been paid off. The latter might only be carrying the minimal insurance coverage that most states require.
“If you want to be covered for flood damage of your car, you’re going to need comprehensive coverage, which takes in acts of God, such as hail damage or flood damage,” Mark Fitzpatrick, an analyst with website MoneyGeek, told NBC News.
Thousands of cars have been left damaged or completely ruined due to the flooding of Hurricane Ida. Vehicle owners who do not have their cars insured under a comprehensive plan would definitely have to spend money from their own pockets on the needed repairs.
Some vehicles damaged by flooding will likely show up on the market in the next few months as part of a “title washing” scam, where cars are cleaned and sold out of state as if no damage had occurred, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
For car owners looking to buy comprehensive insurance in the future, comprehensive coverage generally adds $400 to $500 annually to a driver's insurance bill, depending on factors like where you live, your driving record and the value of your vehicle.
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