Flooding can creature in permanent damage to your vehivle.
Damage caused by flooding can render your machine impracticable, unless repairs are specious quickly. According to Automobile Accessories Periodical, drench can damage the braking process, ruin the interior and flood the engine, which contaminates the engine oil and transmission fluid. The value to repair flood damage to your automobile can reward thousands of dollars, so appropriate your insurance policy and dossier a divulge.
Instructions
1. Revenue pictures of your van and the surrounding scene. If you have a camera has film which needs to be developed, the police officer will take note and ask you to submit the pictures once you have gotten them developed.3. Contact a mechanic and get a damage estimate for your car. Your insurance company will provide their own estimate from its own mechanic, but it is best to receive the opinion of at least one other mechanic to level the playing field.
2. Contact the police and data a police Announcement. Police reports are ofttimes required by insurance companies provided they are to alteration forward with your divulge. When the police arrive, the police officer Testament buzz you to fill away forms that constitute personal data such as brand, location, social security figure and insurance data. You Testament besides occasion to fill absent forms in which you Testament call the flooding complication and folder any damage suffered by your vehivle. Inform the police officer that you have pictures and offer copies for use in the report. If you have a digital camera or a cell phone, the police officer will ask for a digital copy. Captivating photographs is your security degree to effect that all damage to your vehicle is documented and that all damage occurred during the flood is undeniable. Be certain to receive well-focused pictures that clearly exposition the damage. Takings pictures from all angles, including the front point, rear bound, sides and, provided doable, underneath the vehivle. Photograph the inside of your motorcar, including underneath the hood and inside of the Timber, to dossier any interior damage caused by baptize.
Have your mechanic assess the damage and give you a written estimation that lists not only the total cost to repair the damage, but each individual part that needs to be fixed or replaced, including the price of each item. Providing your insurance company with your estimates will increase your chances of getting the insurance coverage you deserve.
4. Consult Kelley Blue Book to determine the overall value of your car. Kelley Blue Book is the largest automobile assessment company in the U.S. that lists the estimated value to automobiles of all ages, makes and models. Water damage can ruin expensive components in your car, such as your engine and transmission. According to AutoZone and NAPA Auto Parts, a new engine can cost between $1,500 and $5,000, while a new transmission can cost between $1,200 and $4,000. If Kelly Blue Book lists the value of your car as less than the total cost to repair it, your car is considered "totaled" and your insurance company should pay you for the value of your car.
5. Contact your insurance agent and schedule a meeting to discuss your claim. If your insurance agent is out of state, your insurance company will send a locally based claims representative to meet with you.
6. Meet with your insurance agent. Have a copy of your police report, damage estimate and photographs ready. The claims representative will assess the damage to your car and take his own set of photographs. Be sure to examine the damage with the representative, in case they have any questions or if there are any disputes as to whether certain damage was caused by the flood or another source. Once the claims representative has inspected your car, he will submit your claim. Your insurance agent will contact you within about one week to notify you of the coverage you will receive to buy your damages.
