Does car insurance cover a hydrolocked engine?

Adding a comprehensive policy can add an extra $12 to your monthly car insurance rates, but the insurance will cover your hydrolocked engine.

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Benjamin Carr

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Updated February 2024

Will My Car Insurance Cover A Hydrolocked Engine?

Here's what you need to know...

  • An engine can become hydrolocked due to water in the combustion engine causing engine damage
  • Basic car insurance does not cover engine hydro lock unless it happens during an accident
  • Comprehensive insurance covers a hydrolocked engine in certain situations
  • There might be fine print in your policy to be aware of regarding a hydrolocked engine

Driving during heavy precipitation or wet conditions with excess water on the roads can lead to a hydrolocked engine. Hydrolocking could render the engine completely useless. If you can file an insurance claim, it will help you to get the repairs without having to pay out-of-pocket.Not every car insurance company covers flood damage. Keep reading to find out in what instances does car insurance cover hydrolocking and what coverage is required.Get multiple quotes to find the best basic and comprehensive coverages at the cheapest price so that you are covered if you hydro lock your engine.Compare car insurance quotes by entering your zip code above now.

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What is hydro lock car insurance?

Hydro lock engine damage repair costs are expensive so you definitely want to have the proper car insurance in place.If the hydrolocked engine occurred because of water, such as driving through a puddle on the road, then you need more than what basic insurance would allow.Comprehensive car insurance covers some damages to cars not caused by accidents.There are a lot of types of coverage to choose from. It is important to take the time to check the policy and get the correct coverage for your situation.

Does comprehensive car insurance cover hydrolock?

Comprehensive car insurance coverage is what you need to have on your auto insurance policy if you want the protection for a hydrostatic locked engine. You would be protected against weather-related damage with large amounts of water including:

  • floods
  • rain
  • deep puddles

This table gives you the average annual rate for comprehensive coverage by state. You can see that the cost is minimal for the amount of coverage that you receive.Average Monthly Comprehensive Car Insurance Rates by State

StateAnnual Average Comprehensive Car Insurance Rates
Oregon$89.66
Maine$96.66
California$99.29
Hawaii$100.09
New Hampshire$103.03
Washington$104.11
Utah$106.57
Florida$110.12
Idaho$110.78
Ohio$112.74
Delaware$113.23
Indiana$115.02
Nevada$116.79
Illinois$117.98
Vermont$118.31
Rhode Island$122.17
North Carolina$123.00
New Jersey$123.18
Connecticut$126.02
Wisconsin$126.34
Massachusetts$128.92
Virginia$129.89
Kentucky$130.15
Pennsylvania$132.01
Tennessee$135.62
Alaska$141.08
Alabama$146.28
Maryland$146.77
Michigan$147.02
Georgia$153.61
New York$156.66
Colorado$158.34
South Carolina$165.38
Missouri$166.34
New Mexico$166.89
Iowa$171.58
Minnesota$173.04
Arkansas$183.36
Arizona$184.20
Texas$186.70
Mississippi$194.74
West Virginia$195.04
Montana$199.87
Oklahoma$201.56
Nebraska$206.24
Louisiana$208.59
Wyoming$222.86
North Dakota$227.64
South Dakota$228.59
District of Columbia$230.25
Kansas$230.65
National Average$138.87

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Keep in mind that there are many factors that can affect your car insurance rate, such as age, driving history, and coverage type. Getting the coverage is easy. When you get quotes, you can add comprehensive coverage to your policy. You can also get quotes from multiple companies to compare and get an affordable policy.

Read more: Does car insurance cover engine failure?

Does car insurance cover water damage to engines?

Your basic policy is what the state requires for car insurance and only covers what happens in a car crash with another vehicle. The state mandates bodily injury and property damage liability only. You choose to add additional coverages.Your engine doesn’t hydrolock because of being involved in a car crash (unless your crash sends your car crashing into a lake, river, or another body of water). Since this is unlikely, you need to look at having other coverage.There is no guarantee that your insurance won’t total your flooded car. It will depend on how severe the damage is.But does your insurance go up if your car is flooded? Again, that will depend on your insurance company. Some companies will raise rates on the first claim filed, and some companies allow one claim before raising rates.Call your agent and ask how to find out if your insurance covers hydrolock. If it doesn’t, you might want to consider adding more coverage.

Read more: Does car insurance cover water leaks?

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How do I file a hydrolocked engine car insurance claim?

When you experience a hydrolocked engine, you can call your insurance company to file a claim. You will need to have comprehensive coverage in order for a claim to even be considered.An adjuster will be assigned to your case and an investigation will be done.

What does a car insurance company look at when filing a hydrolocked engine insurance claim?

If there is water in your engine and can be tied back to a specific event where there was flooding, puddles on the highway, or something else, insurance will likely accept the claim. You can then pay the car insurance deductible and get your car scheduled at the mechanic for the needed repairs.If there is engine coolant or another liquid inside the engine, the damage is likely the result of some other issue that is not likely to be covered by auto insurance, which means the auto insurance claim would be denied and you would be responsible for the repairs.Insurance will look at when you added comprehensive coverage. If you added comprehensive coverage to an existing policy and then immediately filed a claim for a hydrolocked engine, it could throw up a red flag for being insurance fraud, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

You have to hold the coverage on your policy prior to filing a claim with the insurance.

If you want insurance to cover repairs to a hydrolocked engine, it has to be a result of water in the engine. Additionally, you need to have comprehensive coverage. Be sure to build your policy properly with plenty of coverage so you have more protection in place.You have many different options for basic and comprehensive coverage. The best way to get the best coverage at the cheapest rate is to compare many different quotes.

What is Hydrolock?

So exactly what is hydrolock and how does it happen?Autoevolution explains that hydrolock is an abbreviation for a hydrostatic lock. It is what occurs when water gets into the engine. It affects the overall internal combustion, causing the engine to seize. The engine can’t run because the fluid enters the combustion chamber and the cycle can’t be completed.What happens to your engine and can a hydrolocked engine be saved? Keep reading for these answers and more.

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What happens when you hydrolock an engine?

Liquids can’t be compressed, so the pistons come to a stop inside the engine cylinder. The repair will depend heavily on how much water is in the engine, the condition of the engine, as well as whether the water has reached multiple cylinders.In some instances, no damage occurs. In other instances, you would need to replace the engine.There are hydrolocked engine symptoms to look out for. An example is the hydrolocked engine sound, a loud knocking noise. It will be a clue that damage is occurring. Also, a car engine flooded with water won’t start again.Can you fix a hydrolocked engine? Yes, depending on how much damage was caused. A certified mechanic can advise you on how to fix a hydrolocked engine and if it can even be repaired at all.Just how much water does it take to hydro lock an engine? Any amount of water in the engine can lead to a hydrostatic lock. Some of the ways water can get into the engine include:

  • Driving through water
  • Floods
  • Driving at the beach

Now, it’s also important to note that driving in wet conditions is not the only way to get a hydrolocked engine. It’s also possible for a blown head gasket to allow engine coolant to get inside. A carburetor or injector that malfunctions could be the cause of an oil hydrolocked engine.The only way insurance will cover the cost of the repairs is if it’s water-related and if you have the necessary coverage.Use our free rate comparison tool to find the best deal for the insurance you need to cover hydrolock and anything else that comes along.

Does hydro lock happen immediately?

Yes, once you get water in your engine you will start to hear a sputter. The engine will turn off and will not restart.

Are transmissions covered under insurance?

Transmissions are generally not covered under insurance. The exceptions would be if the damage occurred in an accident or if you have mechanical breakdown coverage.

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Can I file a car insurance claim for a blown engine?

Again, this will only be covered if your engine was blown from severe damage during an accident. Otherwise, you might be covered under comprehensive or mechanical breakdown coverages, depending on the situation.

Case Studies: Real-Life Examples of Car Insurance Coverage for Hydrolocked Engines

Case Study 1: John’s Comprehensive Coverage Saves the Day

John lives in an area prone to heavy rainfall and occasional flooding. One rainy day, he unknowingly drives through a deep puddle, causing water to enter his engine and hydrolock it. Fortunately, John had comprehensive coverage as part of his car insurance policy. He immediately contacted his insurance company to file a claim for the hydrolocked engine.

An adjuster was assigned to assess the damage, and after confirming that the hydrolock was due to water-related issues, John’s claim was approved. He only had to pay the deductible, and his insurance covered the cost of repairing or replacing the engine. Thanks to his comprehensive coverage, John didn’t have to bear the financial burden of the repair costs.

Case Study 2: Lisa’s Basic Coverage Falls Short

Lisa, on the other hand, opted for basic car insurance coverage that only included liability insurance mandated by the state. One day, heavy rain caused her to accidentally drive through a flooded street, resulting in her engine getting hydrolocked. Unfortunately, her basic coverage didn’t provide any protection for such non-collision damages.

Lisa had to pay out of pocket for the engine repairs, which turned out to be quite costly. This case highlights the importance of considering comprehensive coverage when living in areas prone to flooding or other water-related risks.

Case Study 3: Mark’s Additional Water Damage Coverage

Mark had comprehensive coverage for his car insurance, but he wanted to take extra precautions due to the frequent heavy rains in his region. He decided to add optional water damage coverage to his policy. One stormy night, Mark’s car was parked outside when a flash flood occurred, submerging his vehicle in water.

When he discovered the damage, including a hydrolocked engine, he promptly filed a claim. Thanks to his comprehensive coverage with the additional water damage add-on, Mark’s insurance fully covered the repairs, sparing him from significant financial loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hydrolocked engine?

A hydrolocked engine occurs when water enters the combustion chamber of an engine, preventing the piston from completing its stroke and causing severe damage.

Does car insurance cover a hydrolocked engine?

It depends on the specific coverage you have. Most standard car insurance policies do not cover hydrolocked engines caused by driving through flooded areas. However, there are some insurance policies that offer additional coverage for engine damage caused by hydrolock.

What types of car insurance might cover a hydrolocked engine?

Comprehensive coverage is the most likely type of insurance that could cover a hydrolocked engine. Comprehensive coverage typically covers damages resulting from non-collision events, such as fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. Some comprehensive policies may extend coverage to include engine damage caused by hydrolock.

What should I do if my car engine gets hydrolocked?

If your engine gets hydrolocked, it is important to take immediate action. Do not attempt to start the engine, as this can cause further damage. Instead, have the vehicle towed to a trusted mechanic or repair facility for inspection and repairs.

Can I prevent my engine from getting hydrolocked?

While it is not always possible to completely prevent hydrolock, there are some precautions you can take. Avoid driving through flooded areas, especially if the water level is high. If you encounter standing water on the road, it’s best to find an alternative route.

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