I live in Chennai and during the floods last year, I was stuck in the rains in my car. It stopped mid-way in a partially submerged lane and wouldn’t start. When I claimed for the repair, the insurance company refused to pay my claim as I had tried to start my car in water. What should I do?
—Venkatesh Pillai
The kind of claim you are describing seems to be that of engine seizure. When the car is submerged, and you try to start its engine, water is pulled into the suction pipe. If water goes into the engine, it leads to seizure. Hydrostatic lock or engine seizure due to water is excluded under standard motor insurance. The driver is expected to not restart the car if it stops while submerged.
