Car flood victims - it's not just your home that's at risk of being flooded

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With 92 flood warnings currently in force across England and Wales and further weather reports highlighting that extreme weather is set to continue to batter Britain1 - esure car insurance offers drivers tips on what to do if they're caught out in a flood.

Following the massive floods that hit Britain in 2007, esure can estimate that over £35m2 was paid out by UK insurers for cars either caught in the flood waters or abandoned by drivers who had tried to cross flooded roads or fords. Although the current bout of flooding has not reached 2007 levels, this figure clearly highlights the huge cost of water damage to cars.

Repairs to flood damaged cars are often expensive with many vehicles being written off for health and safety reasons. Water can be sucked into car engines with destructive effects. Damage can also take months to show itself as corrosion causes mechanical parts to fail. In fact, the value of claims for flood damaged cars are four times3 more than the average claim, according to in-house statistics.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure, said: "It is not just homes that should be the focus of people's concerns when floods occur; hundreds of cars are often irreparably damaged by taking on flood water. Many motorists actually drive their cars into trouble by trying to cross water and misjudge its depth - when they should've just turned off the engine and waited for help.

It sounds simplistic to say 'don’t drive into water' - but observing that warning could save drivers from the hassle and inconvenience of a flooded car that might have to be written off. As the number of flood warnings continue to rise this week, drivers must ensure they understand how to avoid flood water damage."

esure's top five flood tips for car owners:

  1. If you can't be sure that a ford or puddle is a safe depth, don't drive into it. A car that is submerged above the sills of the doors is at a risk from both stalling in water and major damage to the interior once you open a door. The damage to a car that is over five years old could easily make it a write off.
  2. If your car has stalled in water, don't try to restart it as this will cause the most damage to your engine. Engines suck in air as part of their normal operation: if they suck in water, instead of air, this won't compress when the engine 'turns over' resulting in serious damage. As soon as you stall in water, call to be professionally towed out and let a mechanic strip the engine down - don't even be tempted to turn the key!
  3. If you do get stuck on a flooded road, remain in the car and call for assistance on your mobile rather than opening your doors if you can. It is much safer and cheaper for a car to remain shut tight with you inside and be professionally towed out of water than attempting a DIY rescue with family or friends. Ensure you get out of the car promptly if you fear for your personal safety.
  4. If you are aware of a flood warning in an area where you car is parked, drive it to higher ground rather than leave it to chance. This sounds obvious but moving your car - even to a small nearby hill - could save it.
  5. Visit the Environment Agency's website before you start your journey to check for flood warnings and adjust your route to avoid any roads that are prone to flooding during periods of heavy rain.

-ends-

esure's press contacts:

Asia Manzoor, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Niki Bolton, Corporate Communications Manager: 01737 235070
Emma Lloyd, Assistant Communications Officer: 01737 641309
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@esure.com

Notes to Editors:

  1. Met Office press release: Extreme weather batters north-west Britain
  2. Source: Based on a projection from esure's flooding losses as a proportion of the 1.2m cars it insures to a market of ~24m cars.
  3. Source: This is based upon the internally generated statistics for a standard esure accident damage claim compared to the claims experienced in the 2007 summer floods (during June and July).

About esure:

esure was launched in 2001. The company offers car, home, pet and travel insurance over the internet and by phone. esure also offers car insurance cover through the brands Halifax, Sainsbury's, Sheilas' Wheels and more recently home insurance through the Sheilas' Wheels brand.