- The first and most important thing is to not attempt to start your flood-damaged car. Even if your car is still financed and has first-party insurance, you need to be cautious.
- Attempting to start your flood-damaged car could damage it further (beyond repair).
- Check with your insurance company on your claim options. Most insurance companies will consider the car totalled (damaged beyond economically-reasonable repair) if water reaches the bottom of the dashboard.
- Your insurance company will probably be “super” busy with calls and claims, so it’s a good idea to start the process early.
- Start drying the interior. If water gets inside the car, mould will grow quickly. Start by opening the doors and windows and putting towels on the floor to soak up water, but you should plan on replacing anything that gets wet, including carpets, floor mats, door panels, seat padding and upholstery.
- Check your engine oil and the air filter. If you see droplets of water on the engine oil dipstick or the level of the oil is high, or if the air filter has water in it, do not attempt to start the engine. Have it towed to a mechanic to have the water cleared and the fluids changed.
- Check all the other fluids. Fuel systems on newer cars are usually sealed, but older cars may need to have their fuel systems drained. Brake, clutch, power steering and coolant reservoirs should be checked for water contamination.
- Check all of the electrical systems. If the engine looks OK to start, check everything electrical: headlights, turn signals, air conditioning, stereo, power locks, windows and seats, even the interior lights.
- Check around the wheels and tyres. Before attempting to move the car, look for debris lodged around the wheels, brakes and underbody.
- Beware of flood-damaged replacement parts coming from car junkyards and scrap dealers.
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