Drivers risk 'invalidating insurance' if they step foot in car before 9pm

The heavy rainfall leaving roads, potholes and fords flooded, could put motorists in danger during their daily commute.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warning for persistent heavy rain, with some parts of the UK seeing as much as a month’s worth of rainfall in just one day. The heavy rainfall leaving roads, potholes and fords flooded, could put motorists in danger during their daily commute.

According to Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, if you find yourself attempting to drive through floodwater – when the high water is ‘avoidable’ – you risk invalidating your insurance and facing a severe repair bill or needing to buy a new car.

If your bad driving ends up on TikTok or YouTube, your claim is even more likely to be scrutinised. The Met Office has issued yellow and amber weather warning for persistent heavy rain, with some parts of the UK seeing as much as a month’s worth of rainfall in just one day. The amber alert lasts until 9pm.

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He said: “While insurance companies are likely to pay out for unavoidable damage to cars caused by rising floodwaters, it’s another thing when a driver has knowingly taken risks when there were other route options available. If you have NOT taken every precaution to safeguard your car, and your chosen route was avoidable, an insurance company may refuse to pay out on your claim, particularly if there’s video of photographic evidence highlighting your poor decision-making.”

He said: “Make no mistake, damage caused by floodwater can be extreme. If you end up with a ‘hydrolocked’ engine, where there’s so much water in the cylinders that the pistons have seized, you could be looking at a repair bill running to several thousands of pounds – or you may have to replace the engine entirely.

“If your vehicle is too damaged to make it through the stretch of surface water, it can leave your car stranded in the flood water. To top it all off, depending on the depth of water in which your vehicle is stranded in, a recovery vehicle may not be able to reach your car safely, which could cause further delay and frustration to your day whilst you are waiting for a larger vehicle to arrive.”

Graham added: Insurance investigators may look for evidence of ‘avoidable’ actions, such as eyewitness accounts, photos, or official reports, which can be used to determine if the driver purposefully drove through the floodwaters when other options were available.

“TikTok could easily be used as evidence to highlight driver negligence. Factors such as emergencies or lack of awareness of the severity of the flood might be taken into consideration, and if the driver had a justifiable reason for their actions, the claim might be viewed more favourably.

“But drivers should prioritise safety first, avoid flooded areas when possible and take proactive steps to protect their vehicles. If driving through floodwaters becomes unavoidable due to unforeseen circumstances, taking necessary precautions and documenting the situation can strengthen the claim process.

“If in doubt, turn around and find another way to your destination. Or simply travel when it’s safe to do so.”