[vigsom]

Basis my experience of 2006 floods in Surat , it can be restored.

Only of the cost of restoration is > idv will the car be declared as Total loss.

Even if you manage to open the door you can't bring the lever to neutral because that would need you to power the ignition on and that won't happen.

[prasadee]

Originally Posted by vigsom

Basis my experience of 2006 floods in Surat , it can be restored.

Sure, the question is restored to what extent. In the US, a modern flooded car is necessarily junk. Even if you dry the engine clean, couple days of water would have rusted the insides of the engine. Its a no brainier on all the electronic components - they are toast. The engine internals and transmission cannot be restored to original glory. Here is a article about why a flooded car is junk http://www.cartalk.com/content/flooded-car-totalled

madbullram,
When car floats all sort of debris can hit the windows. Floating tree branches, bikes, etc. Its amazing that there was no window broken. You can break the window to get access, or kick/break the rear seat from the trunk to get access. Shift to neutral and move the car.
Glad to see that you made it out the floods safely. materialistic things can always be replaced. Best wishes and good luck dealing with the insurance guys.

[WorkingGuru]

IMHO they're just being absurd with their condition that you should not break a glass panel that's designed as such that it can broken in emergency situations. What if some such thing was damaged due to the floods!? I can't think of any valid reason for the insurance guys to say they'll not cover!

If possible, buy some rolling wheels like we have for furniture, but metal. Visit some metal fabricator & ask him to make 3 trolleys. Jack up the car & lower it onto them. Then slowly push it as required using the fourth wheel (front left maybe) for braking.

Maybe visit the dealership and convince them to come and inspect ASAP.

I guess they'll give IDV less the scrap value if it's total loss.

[kiku007]

I have sent an PM to you.

Fully submerged cars are being repaired but the repair value vs IDV is going to be decisive factor.

[vigsom]

Originally Posted by prasadee

Sure, the question is restored to what extent. In the US, a modern flooded car is necessarily junk. Its a no brainier on all the electronic components - they are toast. The engine internals and transmission cannot be restored to original .

You are right in saying that a car cannot be restored to its original glory.There will be dried muck in some corner of some component.

If the battery -ve is disconnected before water hits the car,every electronic component can be restored - takes time and a lot of painstaking effort, but it is possible.

I have cleaned them all with IPA and made them work- ECMs,stereos,dash,Body Control module,power window switches .

Yes, I wouldn't expect the so called authorised service centers to do this because they only know to replace,not repair.

[qr20de]

@madbullram Sorry to hear about your car. I can't imagine what you're going through.

In my opinion, working on cars for over 5 years now, don't take a risk of repairing it. Here's why:

Firstly, the fuses would have fried considering the battery would have shorted in the flood. All the connectors, relays, harnesses etc are all drenched and even with meticulous drying or restoration, future problems could occur. And trust me, an electrical problem is the biggest pain in the *** for an owner. Worse, you could end up replacing everything again if not done properly now.

Secondly, you would have to take out all the fabric, seats, upholstery etc and dry it thoroughly before re-installation. But even then, you can not be sure that all moisture has been removed. Mould could form and stink up the car and even cause long term damage.

Third, the car would have definitely seen some dents and scratches and the water would start rusting panels.

I think draining out all the water from the powertrain and restoring to working condition is the least of your worries, especially because you didn't turn over the engine.

In short, you could end up spending a lot more money now and in the future for repairs. Avoid the headaches and heartaches and try getting the maximum out of insurance and sell the car.

It's a tough choice but I think the right one. Hope this helps.

[condor]

Originally Posted by Rahul Bhalgat

Are the locks not opening due to drained battery? You can try connecting a working battery (lend it for few minutes from a battery repair shop) with jumpers and then try opening the lock.

How to access the battery if you cannot get into the cabin - to even release the bonnet ?

[madbullram]

qr20: I did disconnect the battery terminal but by then the water was upto engine level and car was flashing lights and turn indicators, so I might have been late in disconnecting. I saw the car at 4 am and all was fine by 5 am water had covered the bonnet :(

Mine is a complete leather seats so I am even more worried. The unofficial L&T quote is I have an IDV of 4.9 and since I am 3rd owner and car is 7 years old, they are saying max I might get is 4 lakhs. Plus my insurance expires on 26th and they are asking me to renew it. Not sure if it makes sense to renew now given i dont know if I will have this car.

[Krishnan V G]

Surveyor from Future Generali came yesterday to inspect the damage to our Skoda Yeti that was submerged to the level of dashboard in Chennai floods. How take:
1. If the cost of repairing the vehicle is more than 75% of the IDV then they don't consider repair of the vehicle at all and would prefer whatever they can salvage from the vehicle.
2. Skoda has already shared the info that any vehicle that is submerged more than or equal to dashboard level is not worth repairing as the cost of repaid will be more than the IDV of most cars. For example they gave me a quick estimate of about RS 12-15 Lakhs to bring the Yeti back to life but cautioned that they cannot guarantee problem free performance in future.
3. As I had insured our four and half years old Yeti under the 0% depreciation scheme, I will definitely get back the IDV of the car without any further cuts.
4. Had also consisted an insurance broker specialist as to how to navigate under the present circumstances.

[qr20de]

@madbullram: The flashing is most probably a sign that the system shorted.

I don't really see the value of renewing your insurance. It's valid till the end of the month and L&T should compensate you for the vehicle.

I am confused as to why they are saying a maximum of 4L compensation when your IDV is 4.7L?!

Strange..

[vigsom]

You will have to keep the insurance live till the case is settled.

Also you would be better off in claiming the 4 lacs, topping it up with another 1lac and getting another pre-owned car.

Am sure there will be rackets big time .

[madbullram]

Update:
1. We broke the glass and opened the car.
2. Surveyor came and inspected car and said this will be total loss, get an estimate from a Honda dealer and we will get to next steps.

Now the Honda vendor is asking for 10,000 rs for Estimate (Olympia). Is this a normal practice? My insurance guy is saying they wont refund this.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by madbullram

Update:
1. We broke the glass and opened the car.
2. Surveyor came and inspected car and said this will be total loss, get an estimate from a Honda dealer and we will get to next steps.

Now the Honda vendor is asking for 10,000 rs for Estimate (Olympia). Is this a normal practice? My insurance guy is saying they wont refund this.

Yup ,charging for estimate is normal practice . If you get the repairs done they will deduct the estimation charges from final bill. Else you will have to foot it.

[sukarsan]

Originally Posted by Krishnan V G

4. Had also consisted an insurance broker specialist as to how to navigate under the present circumstances.

I suppose this is a good idea. There are a lot of loopholes which dealers/insurance agents will be exploiting to avoid paying compensation. I am surprised dealer wants 10,000 to give a quote even if he has nothing much to do.

[madbullram]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Yup ,charging for estimate is normal practice . If you get the repairs done they will deduct the estimation charges from final bill. Else you will have to foot it.

That I can understand but 10,000 rs for a an estimate I thought was way too high, may be 5k. That too these guys have a template and they just add your car details and give.

Seeing Ford and Maruthi doing so much Honda is showing its colors now.