Auto insurance is meant to protect you from financial loss should you have an accident or incident. There are so many ways your car can be damaged and insurance does not necessarily cover every type of auto damage. In this article, we’ll talk about a problem called hydrolock, and we’ll help you figure out if your auto insurance covers damage from hydrolock.
What is Hydrolock?
Hydrolock occurs when water gets into your engine, specifically, into the cylinders that make your engine work. Hydrolock can be very damaging to your engine and can even destroy it. Hydrolock can occur in several ways. It can be caused by your vehicle being submerged during a flood or bad storm, or even from driving through a deep pool of water. That’s why it is never advisable to drive through a deep puddle.
If an Engine Is Hydrolocked, Is It Destroyed?
Not necessarily, but repairs will likely cost lots of money. A mechanic will have to remove all the water from the flooded engine and then dry out each piece. If there is extensive damage, the costs will just go up from here. You may be lucky and get away with a few hundred dollars just to dry out the engine but more likely you’ll end up in the thousands. And of course, the more expensive your car the more it will cost you.
Is Hydrolock Covered by My Auto Insurance?
If you carry minimum coverage for your auto insurance, hydrolock will not be covered unless it happens because of an accident. To be protected, what you need is comprehensive auto insurance coverage. Comprehensive could cover you in the event of a flood or other hydrolocking damage not caused by an accident. Comprehensive is an optional coverage, meaning that is not required in any state. You must specifically add it to your policy.
How Do I Protect Myself?
Having collision and comprehensive coverage is generally recommended to avoid being out in the cold should something like hydrolocking happen. Comprehensive coverage usually covers flood damage. If you live in a flood-prone area, it might be critical to protect yourself with comprehensive coverage. However, make sure to read the fine print and check the policy exclusions as some policies specifically exclude hydrolock damage.
Make sure you are covered if the damage occurs because of a flood or a hurricane. The best way to do that is to shop around. InsuranceWins can help you by setting you up with quotes from well-known auto insurance companies so you can compare rates. You can use these quotes to find a policy that protects you from a hydrolock situation and saves you some money.
