What to Do if Your Car is Flooded in a Carpark

Flooding in basement carparks is an unfortunate occurrence and recent incidents highlight the vulnerability of vehicles in these settings. For example, several cars were reported to have been caught in flooded basement carparks. These situations underscore the importance of understanding your responsibilities and insurance coverage when your vehicle faces flood damage in such environments.

Read on to find out what steps to take if your car is caught in a flood, who is responsible for the damage, how your insurance can help, and what proactive measures you can implement to protect your vehicle. Whether you're a resident of a condominium (condo) or frequently park in underground carparks, this guide will help give you the knowledge to handle and prevent car flooding incidents effectively.

Steps to Take if Your Car is Caught in a Flood

Experiencing a flood can be overwhelming, but taking the right steps can help minimise damage and ensure your safety. Here’s what you should do if your car gets flooded:

Ensure Safety First

- Do Not Start the Car: Starting a car that is partially submerged in floodwaters can cause severe damage to the engine.
Assess the Situation

-Check the Water Level: Note how high the water reached on your car. If the water was above the door sills, the vehicle may have suffered significant damage.

- Look for Visible Damage: Only when it is safe to check the insides of your car, inspect for obvious signs of water intrusion, such as damp carpets, upholstery, and visible water lines.
Contact Your Insurance Company

- Notify Your Insurer: Inform your insurance company about the flood damage as soon as possible. The quicker you file a claim, the better for you and remember that all accidents are to be reported within 24 hours.

- Follow Their Instructions: Your insurer will guide you on the next steps, including whether you’ll need to have the car towed to a repair workshop.
Document the Damage

- Take Photos: If it is safe to do so, document the exterior and interior damage with photographs. This will be useful for insurance claims.

- Keep Records: Maintain a record of all observations and actions taken post-flood.
Prevent Future Flood Damage

- Park Safely: Avoid parking in areas prone to flooding.

- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on weather forecasts and warnings and take proactive measures during heavy rains.

Please note, although flooding incidents in carparks are uncommon in Singapore, it is still wise to heed expert advice and be prepared.

In the meantime, click here to find out how best to navigate your way through Singapore’s flash floods.

Your Questions Answered on Flood Damage Responsibility and Insurance

Who is Responsible for Damage Caused by a Flood in a Condo?

Generally, the vehicle owner is responsible for damages to their vehicle due to natural causes (such as heavy rainfall) if the vehicle is parked at a private property like a condo. This is because most private properties, including condos, typically display a disclaimer stating, "Park at your own risk, management accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, accident, or injury occurring on these premises."

However, this does not necessarily absolve the private property of all liability for flood damage. Exceptions include:

Flood caused by water tank leakage due to poor maintenance on the property.
Poorly maintained drainage systems leading to water blockages or inability to drain excess rainwater, resulting in a flood.
Whether the "park at your own risk" notice is placed in a commonly visible area easily seen by all visitors/vehicle owners.
Whether the condo management included a "park at your own risk" clause in the contract for allocated parking lots for residents.

Who Pays if Your Car is Caught in a Flooded Building?

Generally, your motor insurance will cover the owner's vehicle damage due to flood, regardless of whether the vehicle was caught in a flooded building, as determining the cause of the flood can take a prolonged period.

Budget Direct Insurance will investigate the cause of the flood to understand it and identify any potential for a recovery claim thereafter.
For an "Own Damage" claim under Budget Direct motor insurance, although the accident is recorded as "Not at Fault," the insured’s No Claim Discount (NCD) will be affected. However, the NCD will be reinstated if Budget Direct is able to recover more than 80% of the claim amount from the liable party.

What is Accidental Flooding?

Accidental flooding in motor insurance terms refers to damage to a vehicle caused by unexpected and unforeseen water exposure. This can occur due to various reasons, such as driving through an area that suddenly floods, or water from a broken pipe or leak reaching the vehicle.

Under a Budget Direct motor insurance policy, accidental flooding is covered under comprehensive insurance, which protects against a wide range of risks, including natural events and accidental damages.