Hurricane Season and Your Car: Flooded Roads, Stalled Cars, and Who Pays

Gulf Coast hurricane season peaks from August through October, and every Houstonian knows what that means. Streets turn into rivers, underpasses fill up, and a routine drive home gets dangerous fast. Here is how to stay safe and what to know about who pays when the water rises.

Turn around, don't drown

You have heard the slogan for years, and it is repeated for a reason. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles, and it takes surprisingly little water to sweep a car away.

Houston's low underpasses are the biggest trap. They flood quickly, and the water is often deeper than it looks, especially at night. If you cannot clearly see the road surface, do not drive into it. A flooded route that adds 20 minutes to your drive is always the better choice.

Hydroplaning and reduced visibility

Even when a road is passable, heavy rain is its own hazard. Hydroplaning happens when your tires ride up on a layer of water and lose contact with the pavement, and at that point steering and braking barely work.

Slow down well below the posted limit in heavy rain. Leave extra space between you and the car ahead. Turn on your headlights so other drivers can see you, and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns. Worn tires make hydroplaning far more likely, so check your tread before storm season.

Storm debris and stalled cars

Wind and flooding leave the roads littered with hazards. Downed branches, blown-around trash cans, and pieces of fencing can appear in your lane with no warning.

Stalled cars are another risk. When a vehicle dies in high water, it often stops in a spot where other drivers cannot see it until the last second. If your car stalls, get to safety on foot if the water is rising, and never stand in the roadway trying to flag down help in low visibility.

The insurance gap most drivers miss

Here is the part that surprises people. Whether your car insurance covers flood damage depends entirely on what coverage you carry.

Flood damage to your vehicle is generally covered by comprehensive coverage, sometimes called "other than collision." It is not covered by collision coverage, and it is not covered by basic liability. Liability only pays for damage you cause to other people and their property. So if you carry the state-minimum liability policy and your car floods, you may be paying for that loss out of pocket.

Comprehensive is the piece that covers flood, hail, fire, and theft. If you are not sure what you have, pull out your policy or call your agent before the next storm, not after. It is a small line item that makes an enormous difference when water reaches your floorboards.

What to do if your car floods

Do not try to restart a car that has been sitting in water. Cranking the engine can pull water in and turn a repairable problem into a totaled vehicle.

Take photos of the water line inside and outside the car, the location, and the surrounding conditions. Contact your insurer promptly to start a comprehensive claim. Keep records of everything, including where the car was and how deep the water got.

What to do if you are hit during a storm

If another driver hits you in a storm, the basics are the same as any wreck. Get to safety, call 911, and document the scene with photos if you can do so without standing in danger.

Storm conditions can complicate fault. The other driver may claim the weather caused the crash, but drivers still have a duty to slow down and drive safely for the conditions. Going too fast for heavy rain is not an excuse. Get the police report and the other driver's information just as you would on a clear day.

How we can help

Storm-related wrecks and flood claims can get complicated, especially when an insurer drags its feet or denies a claim it should cover. If you were injured in a crash during a storm or you are getting the runaround on a claim, we can help you sort out your options.

Call the Texas Law Gals at 832-300-0180 for a free consultation. We handle injury cases on contingency, so there is no fee unless we win. Everyone deserves a lawyer bestie, and now you have two.