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Driving and Flooding – the Facts
With news reports focusing on the impact on people's homes, it's easy to overlook the massive impact that flooding can have on private motor vehicles. Even a few inches of flood water can cost thousands of pounds of damage to vehicles, requiring extensive repairs. Even more worryingly, many car and bike owners on third party fire and theft policies aren't even covered for flood damage to their vehicles.
Flooding poses a real risk to road users and even if you are not living in a flood area, you may encounter flooding hazards on your travels. But you can prepare yourself with a few key hints and tips:
Are you covered?
- Check that your car insurance does cover you in the event of a flood – check your policy documentation or contact your insurance company for advice
- Most 'fully comprehensive' car insurance policies will cover flooding as standard, however you will be charged an excess fee
- Worst affected will be 'third party, fire and theft' policy holders, who will not generally be covered for flood damage at all, according to the Association of British Insurers. Typically young motorists and those with older vehicles would have been most likely to sign up for this cheaper cover option
- If a flood warning is issued in your area or you're just concerned about whether your car insurance policy covers you in the event of flood damage, call your insurance provider for more advice before setting out on any journeys
Driving in flood conditions
Driving in flood conditions can be extremely hazardous, and journeys should only be undertaken if absolutely necessary. If in doubt, don't drive!
If you do have to travel, bear in mind the following advice:
Before you Drive
- Be prepared!
- If you live in a flood-prone area of the UK and flood warnings are issued for your area, where possible, and if it's safe to do so, move your car to higher ground
- As well as avoiding potential damage to your vehicle, this action lessens the risk of your car getting stuck in flood water and obstructing emergency services vehicles
- Tune in to local radio and TV travel and weather reports, and try to plan your journey to avoid the most badly-affected areas
- Let someone know where you're going, what time you're leaving, which route you intend to take and an approximate time you expect to return – this information could be vital to a search and rescue crew
- Even if you're only going a short distance, pack some spare clothes, food and drink and your mobile phone – ensuring it has a full charge. It's a good idea to pre-load your phone with relevant numbers such as those of local emergency services
On the road
- Drive slowly and cautiously – you may know your local roads very well, but a flood can alter the landscape dramatically and turn a quiet road into a potential death trap
- Remember you are at increased risk of aqua-planing in flooding conditions and surface water may be deeper that it appears
- Allow extra space between you and the vehicle in front and remember that your braking efficiency is greatly reduced in the wet
- If you come across a flooded part of the road, be very careful – and don't drive through the water if you can't tell how deep it is. Around two feet of water is all it takes to float many cars
- Some cars require only a few inches of water to cause significant damage: water sucked into the air intake components can cause serious engine damage and catalytic converters may crack if submerged - so if in doubt, don't drive through floodwater
- If you have to drive through the flood water, try and stay on the highest section of the road, assuming it is safe to do so
- Once you've begun, under no circumstances take your foot off the accelerator, as this will allow water to travel up the exhaust pipe. As you go through the water, slip the clutch if you can
- Do not drive through floodwater if there is an oncoming vehicle. Always drive at low speed in first gear, moving only enough to create a small bow wave at the front of your car
- Once clear of the water always test your brakes – assuming it is safe to do so. Dry your brakes by braking softly a number of times until you feel the responsiveness of your brakes to return to normal
- Met Office statistics show that 80% of flood-related deaths occur inside a vehicle - If your car stalls in the water, do not attempt to recover it - leave it and move yourself to safe ground
Following a flood
- If your car has been stood in flood water for a short while, it will definitely need checking out by a competent mechanic at your earliest opportunity
- If there is even a remote possibility that water has entered the car's interior, do not switch on the ignition. Water can cause a car's electrical systems to malfunction, which is highly dangerous and could lead to such things as airbags deploying or electrical fires
- Don't risk it - if your vehicle has been exposed to prolonged flooding, contact your local dealer for further advice
Inspect your vehicle after a flood using the below steps:
- Take a walk around it and look for any obvious scratches, bumps, cracks or pieces hanging off
- Check the interior, in particular the upholstery, carpets and door panels for signs of damp
- Don't be tempted to leave damp to dry out, as it is likely to result in a rather unpleasant musty, smell. It's worthwhile you paying a garage to professionally clean and dry it if you can
Check the engine oil and transmission fluid:
- If the fluid on the dipstick looks diluted, milky or beige, then it's likely that water has penetrated the engine. It is advisable not to drive your vehicle at this point, for fear of causing further and expensive damage to the engine. It is advisable to have the car towed to a local garage for repair
Check the air filter:
- Remove the cover (check your manual for instructions on how to do this) and check if the filament is damp to the touch – if it is, replace it and change the oil
- Carefully inspect the underside of the vehicle for stuck-on dirt, mud, grass and bits of debris, washing off anything you find
- It is crucial to get your braking system professionally tested at your nearest garage
- All exterior lights and indicators must be checked for rust and water damage - replace bulbs where water has penetrated
- If you're confident that it is safe to start your engine, let it run idle for a few minutes and listen carefully for any abnormal running sounds. Have it checked out as soon as possible if you're unsure
- Remember – It is better to carry out these checks now, even if they cost you time and money – after all, your life may depend on it!