Will it be a write off????

[010 f6 ute]

The story..

A couple nights ago i drowned my F6 because it was raining that hard i couldnt see thats why i pulled in that way to wait it out at the servo on my way home, it wasnt straight road i had turned the corner straight into it the water came up onto the bonnet and its taken a mouth full but only for about 5 secs it died with the intake out of the water. Two other cars did the same there still parked up there mine was towed today. It was flash flooding no signs had been put out 5 minutes after it happen the road was fine just very bad timing. I took the air intake apart and its full of water the airfilter is sooked pulled of the bov and water ran out of there aswell, car doesnt start its trys to turn over but nothing happens maybe the motor is sezied all i know is shes full of water. The the oil on the dip stick isnt milky so if it hasnt gone past the piston rings could it be seized? I am covered for a $51,500 pay out if its a write off, i dont really want it back after that its never going to be the same but will they write it off when its insured for so much? So i was wondering if anyone had any advice for me how to push for a write off once the assessor has had a look? I am in a world of trouble if i have to go a month or more while it gets repaired. So maybe theres a assessor or some one in the indursty that could give me some advice.

cheers

[VioletGT]

mate put it back together and do not tell no one that you looked at it. Play dumb.

[Yellow_Festiva]

It probably is a write off. I'm pretty sure repairs are covered for the life of the car and water damage is known to cause electrical issues for some time.

Having said that, I had a 11-12K repair done on the Festiva that was insured for 14K and it was not written off (panel damage / re-spray).

[sneaky]

my inlaws mazda6 got written off in the newcastle storms in 2007.

she was trying to get home from work and everyway she tried was flooded and she was detoured or turned around. eventually she got home with the carpets in the car wet from the flooded roads.

dried the carpets and thought nothing of it for a month or two until they tried to get the car serviced. the service centre asked if it got wet, she said yep, only the carpets though. the mechanic wouldn't touch the car until an insurance assessor came to look. written off on the spot due to the cars computer being in the paseenger footwell and getting wet. they wouldn't take the risk of the electrics rusting and causing problems down the track, like airbags deploying for no reason or not deploying in an accident.

[BadMax]

You've probably done more damage by trying to start a motor full of water. I wouldn't surprised if it has major internal damage.
Lesson here is to never touch your car if you're about to go through insurance. Don't think 'oh, it looks ugly I'll just polish it, or screw this on' etc. It makes everyones life far more difficult.
BTW, most likely a total loss.

[ebxr8240]

Water does NOT compress.. You asked here what should you do..
One of two things.. Ring insurance co.
The other was to take the plugs out and turn by hand..
The reason you take the plugs out is so you DON'T bend a con-rod..
Write off ?? Possibly yes..
Do you want it to be ???
It MAY still cost you ??

[LTDHO]

You are currently the proud owner of a write off.

Your insuere should offer replacement, subject to availability.

[Kryton]

Flood damaged vehicles are generally written off.

[superfly]

Did water enter the cabin? Or is there any other water damage other than the motor? If it's just the motor, my guess is that they will replace the motor and fix it up.

[Blem]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Water does NOT compress.. You asked here what should you do..
One of two things.. Ring insurance co.
The other was to take the plugs out and turn by hand..
The reason you take the plugs out is so you DON'T bend a con-rod..
Write off ?? Possibly yes..
Do you want it to be ???
It MAY still cost you ??

Maybe buy it back real cheap & see what you can make of it

[b2tf]

99% likely it's a write off and if it was mine I wouldn't want it back. Would never be the same.

[mrghia]

it may not be written off, my mum killed the motor in here 08 focus the same way it actually put 2 holes in the block 1 either side the car was insured for around $16k and they spent $10k so so far just on the motor. and also depends on how many kms your car has done as well.

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by BadMax

You've probably done more damage by trying to start a motor full of water. I wouldn't surprised if it has major internal damage.
Lesson here is to never touch your car if you're about to go through insurance. Don't think 'oh, it looks ugly I'll just polish it, or screw this on' etc. It makes everyones life far more difficult.
BTW, most likely a total loss.

Really?? I would suggest you missed the lesson.

Don't drive through water sort of jumps off the page to me, but.......

[Bucknaked]

i had an ea which was written off due to flooding. The engine had compression lock as the water entered in through the inake

[Shonky.]

What year is it and what insurance policy do you have?

New for old replacement would be the best thing that could happen to you.

I think all insurers offer 12 months, some are 24 and even fewer have 36 months.

On of the reasons I go with RACQ is they have 3 year new for old replacement in the event of a write off (anyone reading this with a new(ish) car should think about that with a policy I reckon)

I am sure a drowned car will be written off.

At least you don't got to worry about that diff whine now.

Good luck with it

[010 f6 ute]

Its a 2010 model with 45000kms. No i dont want it back could never trust it again after that, she went pretty well under grill is full of leafs and sticks from the food water. When i was on the phone to them (JUST CARS) she never said anything about a replacement just said its covered for $51,500 if it was written off which is what im hoping for rather then a replacement time to have 4 doors i think. Only a small amount of water entered the cabin as far as i know theres no pools in the floor when i checked. Thanks for everyones info i have never claimed or been in any incident before so it has really helped cheers.

[Shonky.]

I just had a look at a database I have access to and AAMI who underwrite Just Car Insurance have 24 months and no km limit on new for old. I don't have data for Just Car and it may be different, but you should definately look into it. (You car may be over 2 years old too, not sure)

A quick check on carsales.com and I can see you would be far better off with a new f6 ute than a cheque for $51.5k. Even if you want to change you would be better off selling the new ute and changing I think. Make sure you ask what your policy terms (or check you PDS if you have it - the booklet they send you)

Oh, and one other thing many people get a surprise from. After a write off you don't have insurance any longer, even if you paid the renewal a week ago. So factor having to re-insure when budgeting.

[Shonky.]

5.0

[SPArKy_Dave]

If you're game to try starting it..........

Do as above, and FIRSTLY pull the plugs, before cranking the engine.
Any water in the bores should be expelled out the spark plug holes.

You can spray water dispersant into the intake while cranking too.

I'd also disconnect the injectors while doing this.

Give the starter a break after a few seconds of cranking, so it doesn't overheat the windings.

When the water is all dispelled, refit everything, and see if it'll go.

As said above, hydrolocking the motor, will seriously risk bending a conrod, since water doesn't like compressing.

Always pull the plugs, before cranking, if water stalls an engine.

[010 f6 ute]

Cheers mate but they have already picked it up, ill let use know how it turns out. And thanks again for everyones help.

[superfly]

Originally Posted by shonkymofo

On of the reasons I go with RACQ is they have 3 year new for old replacement in the event of a write off (anyone reading this with a new(ish) car should think about that with a policy I reckon)

Are you sure it's 3 years? I have my XR50 insured with them and mine says 2 years new for old replacement. First registered and insured Oct 2011.

[Shonky.]

Originally Posted by superfly

Are you sure it's 3 years? I have my XR50 insured with them and mine says 2 years new for old replacement. First registered and insured Oct 2011.

You're absolutely right. I just checked and it is 24 months. I first looked at all the 36 month insurers, but then after pricing them figured until the car is 2 years old it is not necessary anyway and the RACQ policy otherwise ticked all the right boxes. My bad.

For the record here are some of the other insurers here (this time a cut and paste, not from my memory):

• 1300 Insurance (Gold Comprehensive) 24 m
• 1300 Insurance (Standard Comprehensive) 12 m
• 1COVER DIRECT INSURANCE 24 m
• 1st for Women 12 m
• AAMI 24 m
• Allianz Australia 24 m
• ANZ 24 m
• AON 36 m
• APIA 24 m
• AUSTRALIA POST 12 m
• Australian Unity Insurance 36 m
• Bendigo Bank 36 m
• Budget Direct (A) 24 m
• Budget Direct (B) 12 m
• cashback 12 m
• CGU 36 m
• Coles Insurance 12 m
• Commonwealth Bank 24 m
• GE Money 12 m
• GIO 24 m
• HBF Financial Services 24 m
• ibuyeco 12 m
• K-Mart Tyre & Auto Service 12 m
• Myer Insurance 48 m
• NRMA Insurance 24 m
• OnePath 24 m
• Ozicare 12 m
• People's Choice Credit Union 24 m
• QBE 24 m
• RAA 24 m
• RAC 24 m
• RACQ 24 m
• Real Insurance 12 m
• SGIO 24 m
• St George Bank 36 m
• Suncorp Bank 24 m
• Virgin Money 12 m
• Westpac 24 m

Insert suitable disclaimer here - consult your pds