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Flood advice for motorists
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:
You should:
Avoid travel but if you must, drive slowly and cautiously. Only drive down a flooded road if you know how deep the water is. You may know your local roads very well, but a flood can alter the landscape dramatically and turn a quiet road into a potential hazard. It only takes an egg cup-full of water to get into the air intake of your car to ruin the engine. Diesel and turbo-charged cars are particularly susceptible to this kind of damage.
Do not drive down closed roads.
Let someone know your travel plans.
Don’t drive through water if you can’t tell how deep it is. Around two feet of water is all it takes to float many cars. If you can't tell how deep the water is, back up and find an alternative route.
Aquaplaning is much more likely in flood conditions.
Drive slowly to avoid creating a wave, which will raise the level of the water and make it more likely to flood your car, but keep your revs up. Some cars' air intakes are lower than others, so try to find out where yours is. Drive considerately: remember your bow-wave could flood nearby homes.
If another car is driving towards you and creating a wave, stop and switch off your engine before it hits you. Wait for the water to calm, then carry on. Engine damage caused by water (particularly salt water) can be catastrophic, and may not be covered by your insurance, so check your documents.
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. (source: Met Office, September 2008)
Park on higher ground, if you live in an area under flood warning, move your car to another location, preferably on higher ground.
Tune in - listen to the weather reports and flood alerts – make sure you know where the affected areas might be, and where the impassable routes are located.
If you think there is a danger of your car succumbing to rising waters, take important documents, like your logbook (V5C) and insurance details out of the car and store them somewhere safe.
Keep an in-car charger with you to top up your phone battery.
Finally, a word for car owners whose vehicles have been left in standing water. Due to the electrical systems being located under the seats and floors of most cars, flood damage to cars is likely to result in an expensive rebuild. The best course of action is to check your policy, and contact your insurer.
Motor vehicle flood damage advice » more
Make a Zurich car or home insurance claim » more
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