NEED ADVISE: Vehicle/Engine submerged in flood water [MERGED]

[oj88]

To me, insurance is a financial blessing. For a daily car and driving through Metro Manila from north to south and back, it's a statistical certainty that something is bound to happen sooner or later. True enough, I've had made claims twice in two years totaling roughly 130k gross. The premium I've shelled out is around 25k a year. Do the math and that 80k net the insurance paid me is a win.

[niky]

Thats true...

Specially if the premium is relatively low.

I guess those MB or the like owners with P300K annual premium also thinks it's a safety net of some kind.

But then again, being comfortable is relative.

Considering flood damage repair on one of those high end cars can easily exceed P750k... then it's worth it.

[ehnriko]

If you look at it in that perspective - definitely - having an insurance is bliss.


On a technical perspective.

Insurance is considered a PASSIVE Security system.

Advantages: you have already mentioned.
You are more relaxed driving.

Disadvantages:

1. You tend to put your guards down when driving and your blinders up;
2. This increases the chances of encountering fender benders compared to that of who is driving more alert and defensively because they can't afford passive security;
3. The downtime incurred by the hassles obtained from fender benders and the like including the protocols of insurance claims translates to PRODUCTIVITY LOST.

If you're time is worth more than P5,000.00 per day - each day eaten by the hassle attached to both the incident and the insurance protocols is productivity and opportunity lost.

You could have made or close a million peso deal that day but you ended up calling and waiting and talking with insurance guys, tow services, etc.

This is not even the worse scenario. It's just one of the hidden areas where Juan Dela Cruz is loosing productivity.

4. The main reason why Pinoys insure their cars is to keep the resale blue book value up. In case they have to sell it in the future. This attitude is actually self defeating and unproductive.

In first world countries, Generally speaking, a car is treated as a car... as an object to use and or abuse. An object to serve Man... and not to be served. The only time they are pimping their rides is when they do have a lot to spare on extras. This can only happen when they are able to make 80% of their time more productive or if they are unemployed or just filthy rich with much time in their hands.

If a car is flooded or drowned... you need to consider two things.

1. If you restore it - are you willing to spend an arm and a leg at the expense of compromising your comfort zones (forcing you to eat lucky me canton 3 times a day?)

2. If you cut lose - you accepted that you indeed lost a car, sell it as is where is for a song, settle for a new one or used one cheaper than the one you lost... (but hey, you and your family still get to eat a good meal daily).

We sometimes lose track of how much we are spending on something at the expense of our personal productivity.

You may also call this as "Wilfredo Parettos Logic."

Of course, every decision needs to be analyzed....

Rule of thumb in every decision we make is:
You need to be able to get or realize 80% more with your 20% input or invested time money or effort.

Reality is: People spend 80% more and are only getting 20% productivity... reason - they merely act on Suggested Priorities.

When we prioritize... it has to be well thought of.

[ehnriko]

Which reminds me of a Dutch commercial:

"A Limousine enters the scene - driving by the main gate of a factory... and sub title says... MARKET REPRESENTATIVE...

Then a Mercedes Benz 500 drives by ... subtitle says... MANAGER.

Then a Bentley drives by.... subtitle says... President

and... the last car came... a small car... it's a VW Golf.... subtitle says... CHAIRMAN - C.E.O."

This progressive country leaves the luxury cars to those who are at the lowest positions... the more they are on top... the more they live meagerly.

I guess this is normal for those who are old rich societies.

the Nouvo rich societies tend to buy top end models... In psychology, this is termed as Defense Mechanism.

I guess a really secured person would not be concerned with any of these.

I guess the best advise to give to those who have submerge vehicles is.

Don't Worry! - it's not good for your health. Besides... you already lost a lot... you wont be losing more anymore... well... that's if you continue reading the threads in Tsikot.com that is.

[High_King]

Same nangyari sa akin Lancer GLX manual 2005 model submerged yung oto ko nakita ko lang yung bubong Monday na, hirap talaga pag taga Pasig ka

Eto pala list ng nagastos ko at mas mura dahil ang mga Talyer kahit sa Shell mga taga

- mekaniko 2K napaandar naman ang sasakyan napalitan lahat ng dapat palita ok naman at pwede na gamitin,
Oil 1.6k, Oil Filter
5h transmission
sabi ng mekaniko ok daw yung Spark Plug kaya di ko pinalitan

- Interior umabot ng 5k linis lahat pati dash board kinalas lahat ang galing talaga, siding, carpet, lights

ok naman at ginagamit ko na sa office for 2 weeks

mga napasin ko,
- yung SRS nya parating nakalight, papatining ko pa ulit sa Elictrician
- Alarm sira na, pero yung Power Window at Central Lock ok naman
- me konting ingay pag tinapakan ko yung Cluthch, mukhang kailanga ko palita yung pressure plate pero di ko pa natanong sa mekaniko;
- mas konting konti na mas maingay yung makina pero siguro titining din yon pag tumagal;
- Ok ang Aircon malamig pa din

Hwag kayo mawalan ng loob at hindi naman kailangan gumastos ng malaki basta maghanap lang kayo ng tamang tao kesa mga talyer at ano pa; sa bahay pa gagawin

Yung ECU pala ng Lancer sealed kaya di nasira

[hammerhead2]

yun sa starex ko na up to floor lang nabasa. was running when i brought it to casa.

Total cost of parts: 16608.60
Total cost of labor and materials: 33.554.60
VAT: 4026.55

Total: 54189.75

Yun breakdown is:
pulldown gas tank
replace:
fuel filter and sensor
air filter
pollen filter
atf fluid
checked and inspected brakes

oil filter 625
engine oil 7857.12
fuel system cleaner 535.72
parts cleaner 535.72
fuel sensor 1049.44
pollen filter 1458.04
air cleaner 889.29
atf fluid 7232.22
fuel filter 2534.48
perform interior detailing 0.02
perform interior detailing 10409.45
sand paper 17.86
misc income 267.87

perform 10K service 14971.48

Honestly i do not understand the math. got my starex already. feels and sounds like it is running better in terms of my post-flood assessment.

my civic is still in the casa though in cavite. was brought in october 1. mechanical inspection still not done. sadly.

[lazyfoot]

I have a question. One of our cars was totally submerged during ondoy. We initially had it towed to the shop and it was estimated by the shop. Since we have AOG insurance, the insurance company gave the LOA already. Now as work is progressing with it, we're finding out that the damage is worse than initally estimated. I'm planning to declare it a total loss instead. Any idea on how i should approach the insurance company and try to convince them that it is better off to write it off as total loss than continue repairs?

thanks

[lazyfoot]

passed by honda q. ave. and edsa balintawak - ang daming nasa labas! yung iba mga basag ang window??? hyundai e. rod. ganun din but di sing dami ng honda - yung isang santa, basag din ang driver side window???

kakaawa, i think kung makakapagsalita lang sila

Hindi nabasag yung mga side window noon, most modern cars roll down their windows once it detects water up to the dash level. It's a safety feature to let you escape just in case you fall into deep water.

[loki_chaos]

Mga sir! regarding po dun sa sentra ko, na sira yung computer box, ang nangyari, pinalitan daw ng IC, so nag start na siya... kaso, hanggang 2krpm lang tapos mamamatay na... pag rev ko, umaangat hanggang 2.5k-3krpm lang tapos mamamatayan na siya... sabi ni mechanic, computer lang talaga kasi nga nung kinabitan nila ng ibang computer, ayun umandar sya ng hindi namamatayan...

Need your 2cents po!

[Paolo123]

Mga sir! regarding po dun sa sentra ko, na sira yung computer box, ang nangyari, pinalitan daw ng IC, so nag start na siya... kaso, hanggang 2krpm lang tapos mamamatay na... pag rev ko, umaangat hanggang 2.5k-3krpm lang tapos mamamatayan na siya... sabi ni mechanic, computer lang talaga kasi nga nung kinabitan nila ng ibang computer, ayun umandar sya ng hindi namamatayan...

Need your 2cents po!

Naranasan ko ito nung nagpaengine wash ako ng kotse ko. I think ang cause ng problem is nabasa yung distributor. Kasi hinanginan lang yung distributor ko, ok na uli.

Pero yung case nung sayo, mukhang tamang computer box na yan kasi nung pinalitan, umayos na sya.

[XTO]

Broken driver's side window? That's what I initially thought when I saw the flood damaged vehicles in our village. But I read it in one of the threads somewhere that it *might* be a safety feature. I noticed this on the 1st gen Vios, Civic FD, '07 Kia Sportage, MB B-class,etc..

Hindi nabasag yung mga side window noon, most modern cars roll down their windows once it detects water up to the dash level. It's a safety feature to let you escape just in case you fall into deep water.

Well, hope ganun nga nangyari and hindi ninakawan ng mga loko. Because some (rear left/right window) had tapes as it was smashed.

[mrwordplay]

I have a question. One of our cars was totally submerged during ondoy. We initially had it towed to the shop and it was estimated by the shop. Since we have AOG insurance, the insurance company gave the LOA already. Now as work is progressing with it, we're finding out that the damage is worse than initally estimated. I'm planning to declare it a total loss instead. Any idea on how i should approach the insurance company and try to convince them that it is better off to write it off as total loss than continue repairs?

thanks

We also have a similar case here. Our car (2008 Altis G) was already towed in Toyota Marikina last Oct 1, 2009. After 2 weeks the car was already appraised by the insurance company. Initial appraisal was 20k only (this includes, change oil, interior detail etc. etc.), this does not include the ECU, ABS-ECU, the engine and other mechanical and electrical findings.

Yesterday, the insurance company called. They already declared it a "total loss". The damage was really worse since the car was submerged in flood water and mud.

I suggest that you make a follow up on your insurance company. Don't wait for them to call you.

Right now, we're just waiting for the P.O. from our insurance so that we can have the brand new replacement in 2 to 3 weeks time.

[hammerhead2]

We also have a similar case here. Our car (2008 Altis G) was already towed in Toyota Marikina last Oct 1, 2009. After 2 weeks the car was already appraised by the insurance company. Initial appraisal was 20k only (this includes, change oil, interior detail etc. etc.), this does not include the ECU, ABS-ECU, the engine and other mechanical and electrical findings.

Yesterday, the insurance company called. They already declared it a "total loss". The damage was really worse since the car was submerged in flood water and mud.

I suggest that you make a follow up on your insurance company. Don't wait for them to call you.

Right now, we're just waiting for the P.O. from our insurance so that we can have the brand new replacement in 2 to 3 weeks time.

the replacement will be brand new? what is your insurance? Pahirapan kasi sa iba.

[garci]

Regarding our Nissan Urvan Ecu. May nahanap na ako na brand new box. Kailangan ko pa ba itong ipa-reprogram? Sabi kasi ng casa dapat pa daw? Akala ko isasalpak na lang. Meron bang pwedeng gumawa nito sa labas?

[mqavila]

My Carens was also flooded but the water level didnt go up that high (probably around a third up the door frame - enough for the water to seep into the cabin). The car wouldnt start anymore so I had it towed to the casa.

My insurance thankfully has Acts of God. Kaso, ang tagal magbigay ng LOA yung insurance. I'm assuming this is because Kia quoted a whopping P560K as its repair estimate (recommending the replacement of a bunch of parts). Anyhow, our insurance manager (I got the car through my company's car plan) already told the insurance company to advise us asap if it will issue a LOA for the repairs or if it will declare the car as a total loss in view of the huge repair estimate.

My problem is this: since I got the car through a company car plan, I got a good discount on the car. And, we had it insured for my acquisition cost. Since then, however, the SRP of the Carens has risen considerably. So, even if the insurance company does declare a total loss and I get the face value of my policy, the proceeds won't be nearly enough to be able to buy me a new Carens...

[di3g0]

Hi,

Would like to ask the forum if somebody here is claimant of Paramount Insurance.

My 13 month old Altis1.6V was totally submerge with AOG coverage from Paramount. The car is at Toyota Pasong Tamo with initial assessment of 1.374Million in parts replacement and labor. I knew the assessment was incorrect (based on water level sila mag-assess at that time), and of course the insurance dis-approved the claim.

Now, we have a new assessment (at the request of the insurance) totalling 530K minimum (as there are other parts that are not yet verified working), so tataas pa daw ito sabi ng Toyota. We are hoping the ma-reach namin ang 75% ng insured value para makapag-insist kami na madeclare na total loss.

Right now, binaklas lahat ng electric/electronic parts at kukunin ng insurance para i-test daw. Ang tanong ko, is this really an SOP ng insurance? Hindi ba sila naniniwala sa Toyota na sira na itong mga parts at kelangan mapalitan? When infact, in-house insurance sila na Toyota Pasong Tamo (and one of the reason why got them instead of my previous Chinabank insurance). -- OR they are doing this as a delaying tactic hanggang sa mainis ang owner and would settle for less???

It's been 5 weeks and still no clear direction on what will happen to the car's repair. It's been frustrating talking to Paramount as they are insisting that they DO NOT declare 'Total Loss' but instead they want to repair the car to its previous condition.

If anyone of you out there in the same plight as we are, kindly reply and we can exchange notes, feedbacks or even just talked about our experience with Paramount Insurance, of which i will never, never renew my contract next year, and would never recommend to anyone.

Thanks a lot for this space to share my frustration.

Diego

[lazyfoot]

Not sure but i think Insurance companies are required to settle within 30 days from the day of filing of claim.





Related
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakin...nce-complaints

http://www.insurance.gov.ph/

[di3g0]

*LazyFoot,

Thank you for the links. It's reassuring to know that there is a Commission we can go to if our claim will be further delayed unreasonably.

[di3g0]

*LazyFoot,

Thank you for the links. It's reassuring to know that there is a Commission we can go to if our claim will be further delayed unreasonably.

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Sorry double post - my internet sucks!

*Admin, kindly delete... TY.

[ehnriko]

Aside from MEGA Squirt ECU alternative- for flooded cars -

You may also want to consider putting an Electronic Rust Control Device.

I have these attached to my cars for some 20 years already.... seems to work fine.

The reason is - Capacitive Coupling _google it.

It prevents oxidation of metal which is the main cause of rusting - by making it behave like a cathode. This allows electrons to pass from the cars body sheet metal to an electrode which is insulated to the cars body.

Since there is enough moisture in your car already - this will help the travel of electrons faster or better since the body is more conductive.

Hopefully it can help for those who wish their cares to serve them longer.