Anyone have any experience with an insurance claim on a vehicle, F150 in my case, being partially flooded in salt water.The hurricane got mine. Water up to top of the tires, plus or minus a couple of inches. Don't think water got in the engine but horn started blasting in middle of the flood and would not quit till the battery did. Water inside under seats, don't think it made it to the seat bottoms. I don't want the truck back. Don't think you can ever get all the salt issues out. Told the insurance company that. Of course they want it inspected by a body and dealer. Told they by time inspections are done truck is toast. Guess I will see what they say.Anyone with a similar experience?Thanks

If it got up inside the car, even just the carpet, it’s totaled. No questions. And since the horn started to go off, it got into the electronics.Bottom line, it’s done!

Don't clean or move the truck before the inspection. It's probably totaled if water got into the computers.

I had a friend who serviced fd pagers. When someone called and said they dropped their pager into water he'd ask, "Toilet (ie. fresh water)? Bring it in and I'll look at it. Ocean (ie. salt water)? Who do I bill the new pager to?"Either way I'd consider the truck totaled. Remember the adjusters don't pay out of their own pocket, but I've been told they have a monthly budget and if they routinely exceed their budget, it's reflected in their job performance reviews. Don't let the adjuster bully you just to get a gold star at his next review.

You may also need to be prepared to have your own appraisal done. Depending on the value of the truck, insurance companies will sometimes total a vehicle, but undervalue it on the pay-out.

With salt water, even if they flush everything and get it running, the first rain all sorts of strange things will happen because of the remaining salt that didn't get totally removed.

Truck flooded | Good Sam Community

PastorCharlie
Explorer
Aug 11, 2020
Grit dog wrote:
PastorCharlie wrote:
The goose is cooked... stick a fork in it. In the floor, in the trans, differential, wheel bearings, u-joints, steering, wiring, etc. Totaled.

You’re funny!
Mustn’t get out much, eh! All those hard parts get bathed daily in a nice salt brine up north. All winter every winter.
I agree there will likely be electrical issues. But your statement proves you know almost nothing about vehicles......

Owner/Operator of Auto Repair Shop with a Master Mechanic Certification before entering the Ministry of Christ. Still do mechanical work and consult with others needing repair work. Live on an island surrounded by Salt Water where many vehicles are flooded ever year by salt water driven by storms. Have traveled the USA, Canada, Mexico.

What are your qualifications for distributing mechanical advise? :h
Edd505
Explorer
Aug 11, 2020
Let them total it, collect the money and if you think you want it buy it back, you'll get a salvaged title.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Aug 11, 2020
dodge guy wrote:
If it got up inside the car, even just the carpet, it’s totaled. No questions. And since the horn started to go off, it got into the electronics.

Bottom line, it’s done!

X-2 on the bottom line.

Totaled - (even if *not* by salt water).

~
riven1950
Explorer
Aug 10, 2020
Grit Dog wrote:
Funny part is, I was talking to a guy down there, said the water got to his old suburban. Looked like it was over the rocker panels. Floor was wet inside.
Told me about it after he drove it 500 miles home. But he’s not a pansy...

Talk to your buddy in about a year, you'll find out who knows almost nothing about cars.

I had another salt water flooded vehicle back in college, bunch of college kids duck hunting. No insurance. Drained the engine oil and drove on. Starter lasted about 30 days, generator was next, then it got to where it would not shift ( 3 on column ). Finally ended up taking battery out ( replaced too ) and selling to a junk yard.

BIG difference is this one is a 2018 , 22,000 miles and fully insured. You bet I want a total loss.

If you or anyone else thinks it can be rinsed off and good as before you are in a dream world. I know better.

pansie
dedmiston
Moderator
Aug 10, 2020
Cloud Dancer wrote:
If the cost of fixing it is over 65% of the value, they can legally total it. The rules favor THEM,....IMO

According to this page Nevada is the only state with a 65% threshold. The percentage varies by state and many states use a formula instead.

The variable that the insurance companies always try to avoid is the "supplemental damage" cost. If they don't total it out and agree to pay for repairs instead, then they are responsible for paying all the additional "supplement" charges once the shop tears it down and finds damage that the appraiser couldn't see during the original inspection. That's where the gamble comes in. It's a gamble for the vehicle owner too, because of the "it's never going to be the same" factor.
Cloud_Dancer
Explorer II
Aug 10, 2020
If the cost of fixing it is over 65% of the value, they can legally total it. The rules favor THEM,....IMO
RetiredRealtorR
Explorer
Aug 10, 2020
Grit dog wrote:
PastorCharlie wrote:
The goose is cooked... stick a fork in it. In the floor, in the trans, differential, wheel bearings, u-joints, steering, wiring, etc. Totaled.

You’re funny!
Mustn’t get out much, eh! All those hard parts get bathed daily in a nice salt brine up north. All winter every winter.
I agree there will likely be electrical issues. But your statement proves you know almost nothing about vehicles......

Yes, vehicles up north do indeed get "bathed daily" in the salt brine, but bathing and sitting in it (soaking) are two totally different things. Soaking in it allows it to permeate, whereas bathing does not. Looks like PastorCharlie might know a little more about vehicles than you give him credit for.

Not sure what your credentials might be, but I was in the automobile business for nearly 30 years before retiring and getting my Real Estate license, so I've experienced a lot, first hand.

Also, the guy that drove his old Suburban home 500 miles after being flooded. I translate "But he’s not a pansy..." to mean "because he didn't have insurance" .... :C

Happy travels!!
Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 07, 2020
Funny part is, I was talking to a guy down there, said the water got to his old suburban. Looked like it was over the rocker panels. Floor was wet inside.
Told me about it after he drove it 500 miles home. But he’s not a pansy...
Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 07, 2020
PastorCharlie wrote:
The goose is cooked... stick a fork in it. In the floor, in the trans, differential, wheel bearings, u-joints, steering, wiring, etc. Totaled.

You’re funny!
Mustn’t get out much, eh! All those hard parts get bathed daily in a nice salt brine up north. All winter every winter.
I agree there will likely be electrical issues. But your statement proves you know almost nothing about vehicles......
riven1950
Explorer
Aug 07, 2020
“Of course they want it inspected by a body and dealer.”

Reasonable. What is the issue?

No issue except time. I was hoping for a real live appraiser who could make a determination but I am ok with and inspection. Just need a truck. TT is sitting in CG in Florida.etc.

Forum Discussion

Truck flooded

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Truck

Flooded Storage Unit - mold/mildew?

Flooding in TX?

Crow Rez Flooding

Truck warranty