What to Do With a Damaged Car After a Hurricane

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The 2024 hurricane season wasn’t just bad news for homes — cars also got caught in the storms. Vehicle data company Carfax estimates that around 347,000 cars were damaged this hurricane season, with the majority of losses stemming from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. If you have a minimum coverage policy, you won’t be covered for hurricane damage — you must carry comprehensive car insurance for weather-related incidents. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team can help guide you through what you need to know about hurricane damage to your car, including some tips on keeping your set of wheels safe during a storm.

Is hurricane damage covered by car insurance?

Vehicle damage caused by a hurricane should be covered by comprehensive car insurance, which is part of what’s known as a full coverage car insurance policy. If you don’t already have this kind of auto insurance, you may not be able to purchase it before a storm hits. Insurance companies may institute a moratorium that prevents residents in certain ZIP codes from purchasing car insurance policies ahead of a potential natural disaster. Moratoriums can also prevent policyholders from adjusting their existing coverage. 

Comprehensive coverage typically covers damages caused by the following hurricane-related concerns:

• Falling objects and debris
• Flood
• Hail
• Wind

What to do if a hurricane damages your car

Hurricanes can cause a variety of damage to your car, including interior flooding damage or exterior damage caused by falling debris. Regardless of the level of damage your vehicle experiences, the following tips may help you handle the aftermath.

• The car is totaled but insured
  

  Once the storm passes and the surrounding area is safe, you may want to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process. Document your vehicle’s state before the storm by taking photos, then do the same for post-storm damage. When doing so, be sure to be mindful of broken glass.

• The car is totaled without insurance
  

  If your vehicle is totaled by storm damage, but you don’t have comprehensive insurance, you will likely have to pay for repairs out of pocket. Sometimes disaster funds are available to help, so it might be worth contacting government agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or nonprofits to see if any financial relief is available.

• You’ve filed a claim, but the appraisal is too low
  

  During natural disasters like hurricanes, insurance companies may be inundated with claims, and appraisers may be more prone to clerical errors. If you think your vehicle’s value has been miscalculated, you can dispute it. It’s also possible to bring in a third-party appraiser, but you may want to start by speaking with the insurance provider to see if a resolution can be reached.

• Your claim is denied
  

  Your insurance company should not deny your claim if you have the proper coverage — but mistakes can happen. If you feel your claim was denied in error, keep calm and contact your claims adjuster for further information. There may have been a paperwork error on one side or the other.

• The car was flooded but still starts
  

  If your car sustained water damage after heavy rain, the effects might be delayed. If you’re able to start up your vehicle after a flood recedes, it may not continue to run. Delicate internal instruments and computers may be damaged, so you may want a professional mechanic to take a look at it. You may want to call your insurance company, immediately document the vehicle’s damage and file a claim.

• The car is in the shop for repairs
  

  If the vehicle is damaged but is being repaired, it may be necessary to rent a car until the repairs are completed. While many auto insurance policies offer rental car coverage, it is typically an addition to a standard policy and will only be covered if the insurance company is already handling the claim on the damaged vehicle.

How to prevent hurricane damage to your car

While you can’t control the weather, you can prepare for it. These tips can help show you how to avoid hurricane damage to your car: 

• Park strategically. Where you park your car during a hurricane could help prevent a car insurance claim. If possible, it’s best to park vehicles where they are at the least risk from flooding, wind, falling objects and debris. Sheltered, elevated terrain or an enclosed structure can be good options.
• Remove valuables from the car. Personal belongings in your car are usually covered by your home or renters insurance policy — not your auto policy.  Whether or not you have insurance for these items, you may want to remove them from your vehicle, especially any valuables, to lessen the risk of those items being damaged.
• Tape the car windows. While it’s a myth that taping windows will prevent them from breaking, it may help keep the glass contained if it breaks. Taping your windows may also help keep water from seeping through a broken window.
• Cover the vehicle. Covering your vehicle can help protect it from scratches or dents caused by flying debris. While custom car covers can be purchased, they may be expensive. Blankets, cardboard or any fabric you have on hand may help protect your vehicle during a storm. Be sure to secure any covering so it doesn’t blow away.
• Keep vehicle documents safe. You may want to keep any essential vehicle documents inside, not in the glovebox. If keeping documents inside isn’t possible, storing them in watertight bags or containers may help protect them against possible damage.
• Never drive through standing water. You may think that a large puddle is shallow enough to drive through, but looks can be deceiving. Puddles are often deeper than they look and can cause significant damage to your vehicle. Additionally, driving through standing water can be an electrocution risk if a downed power line is hidden under the water.
• Fill your gas tank. You may have difficulty finding a gas station in your area that has power after a hurricane. Fill up your tank before the storm. While this won’t help keep your vehicle safe, it can provide peace of mind if you have to evacuate, find help, or drive your car to a repair shop after the storm has passed.

It’s also good practice to take interior and exterior photos of your car before and after the storm. This won’t help prevent damage, but it can be good to have evidence of the car’s condition before the storm if you have to file a claim.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best auto insurance company?
  

  The better question would be, “Which car insurance company is best for me?” Car insurance is a highly individualized product, and it could take some research to find the one that offers you the coverage you need at a price that works with your budget. First, it can help list your priorities: do you need rideshare coverage? Is filing claims on a mobile app important to you? Is price more essential than customer service? Asking yourself questions like these can help you hone in on the company that offers what you need.

• How common are hurricanes?
  

  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) reports that there are an average of 12 Atlantic hurricanes each year. However, not all of them make landfall.

• Which state experiences the most hurricane damage?
  

  Florida, usually, experiences the most hurricanes each year. Texas, North Carolina, Louisiana and South Carolina are also prone to hurricanes.

• What is a salvage title?
  

  When an insurance company deems that a car would cost more to repair than the vehicle is worth, it may send you a salvage title. Vehicles damaged to this extent are also referred to as “totaled,” because the insurer deems them a total loss. Severe weather-related incidents, including flooding, often can total a vehicle.