Flooded last week :( will they total it?

[808 Vibes]

I've had a rough week. Friday afternoon, a friend who works downstairs from me calls me and says I have to move my car because our parking area is 'flooded' due to a water main break. By the time I got there the lot was like a swimming pool and security had us move our cars to another lot. When I drove it, I noticed a lot of water splashing inside the car as I tried to dry out the brake linings. I got a police report, and my own pics, but couldn't reach my agent until Monday. Water had come inside the passenger door, completely soaking front and back floors on that side. The driver side was dry. So I'm assuming the hump in the middle of the floor kept the other side from getting soaked too. Under the car, the engine compartment was soaked-still has the dirty water stain on the frame, as is on the inside edge of the passenger door; I'm leaving them for the insurance claims adjuster to see. I checked the oil and it looks like new clean oil, and she does run fine. Inside the car has some moisture and slight mold smell. One car had been up to the window in water and had to be towed away. I cannot afford to miss even a day of work, and the earliest I can get to the insurance claim office to have them check it is Saturday, and according to Allstate, they will pull up the carpet and whatever else is under it to see if the floor is rusted and they will take pics. What are the chances of it being totalled? I can already feel the white hairs sprouting on my head with worry. I'm very upset. I will try to post my pics tomorrow-not the greatest because it was also raining at the time it happened. I just got home from another 12 hour shift and need to try to get some sleep. Just wanted any thoughts to prepare me (or calm me?) for the rest of the week. Thank you

[joatmon]

I don't know what level of flooding it takes to total a car, but if they decide to just clean it out, they should give you a rental so you wouldn't need to miss any work.kind of lame you have to take the car to the insurance company, a decent company would have an adjuster who could come see the car wherever you have it at the time

[Raven]

It should be fine. Vacuum it with a wet/dry shopvac and leave the windows open for it to dry, after the insurance person has looked at it of course.

[zionzr2]

From what you have described i doubt they would total it.It will take a good day or 2 to fix correctly. vac all the water out shampoo and throughly dry.

[Kari]

Wow, that's crazy. I don't think it sounds like it will be totaled since it wasn't totally submerged--just splashed in, right? A good thorough cleaning should take care of the mold smell....hopefully your insurance will cover it. And if they are, they should provide a rental so you will still have transportation to work.

[Whelan]

Why is the building not accepting responsibility. It is their property so it shouldnt go through your insurance, they should cover it. I would contact them first.

[BlueCrush]

Your insurance should cover the clean up. It shouldn't be totalled, though. It just needs to be dried out and maybe treated so the metal under the carpet doesn't rust.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Why is the building not accepting responsibility. It is their property so it shouldnt go through your insurance, they should cover it. I would contact them first.Water main is probably government "city" etc.) and they usually are legally excused from liability for that sort of thing. [The King can do no wrong.]

[KNINE]

There was recently a local woman whose town house was flooded by a water main break. She's SOL on sueing the city. They're exempt from responsibility of those kinds of damages. You'll have to rely on your insurance for repairs. Hula Vibe should be fine.

[GoodVibErations2004]

Correct the city/town would be at fault and they would be exempt from liability. You shouldnt be totalled, not even close and your insurance will take care of everything including a rental. you shouldnt have to do any cleaning whatsoever and wont miss any work. Thats a bad thing to have happen. good luck with everything

[808 Vibes]

Thank you thank you thank you all...you have made my day, made my whole week. I'm so happy to hear it won't be totalled!!! No, no adjuster would be willing to come out, and I had to call the mainland to make a claim and to get the appointment (if it's after hours you get to talk to somebody in India) Allstate service stinks now.I have 0 deductible and they already told me my coverage doesn't include a rental, but oh well...I'll get to drive Frosty again The day after it happened I tried to call carpet places to see if they could get the water out (phone book listings said "24 hour service available" but since none of the companies answered the phone-THEY LIE!

[breezd]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. It'll work out for the best for you

[808 Vibes]

Finally sized and uploaded pics to villagephotos. The pool in the parking lot (note: the sign is at least 3 feet tall, and mounted on a sidewalk, which is also completely flooded and can't be seen.)passenger front door, with stains from flood waterwater on and under carpet-passenger side floor

[KNINE]

I don't think Vibes make good amphicars. Didn't somebody on here drive their Vibe in a lake or something? I'll let you borrow my kayak.

[Herb]

Sorry to hear your Vibe got all wet. I doubt it would be written off as well. I'd leave windows open to vent the moisture and run the fan once in awhile. Should also look at an AC cleaning service to clean out the ducts where mold can also form.

[tnpartsguy]

They should remove the seat and the carpet, and get all the water out from underneath. They should also hang the carpet on something to air dry at least a few days. Only problem I can foresee is that underneath the seats on our Gen 1 Vibes is where a lot of electronics lives. The amp for M&T, the Airbag control modules, the ON*Star interface, ect. If they got wet, it could be a problem later (corrosion!!) Make sure to have your repairer check this CLOSELY.

[zionzr2]

sometime with a dehumidifier and an ozone chamber will work wonders as well.

[808 Vibes]

Thanks again for all the info everybody, I really appreciate all your help! And yes, I was wondering about ECM, airbag module, etc. down there.I don't have a replacement printer yet, but will write down all this info before I go on Saturday!

[808 Vibes]

11+1/2 hours 'til I take it to claims. I left work tonight (it was one week ago today!) and opened the hatch-I noticed the inside windows were all fogged up and the mold smell was pretty bad, and there was that sticky moisture feeling all over the steering wheel and shift knob again

[Blueridge9]

I'm so sorry to hear about the water damage to your Vibe and you having to wait a week for the claims adjuster to look at it! They should not have made you wait so long. Send the Pirates after the scallywags (I can't stop the pirate talk).I'm glad your friend called so the car did not sit in water any longer than it did.That moldy smell and sticky feeling you describe remind me of some camping trips in the rain - ugh. I was always so relieved to get back home to dry clothes and dry house.Progressive site says this....What to Check if Your Car is FloodedFollow these important steps to inspect your car and assess flood damage:Check your oil indicator.A reading of an oil level that's too high may tell you there's water in the engine. Do not start or run your car — it could cause severe damage.Measure the depth of the water that submerged your car.It is possible water did not enter any parts that are susceptible to damage.Determine how long your car was submerged.The shorter the time, the more salvageable any damaged parts may be.Be sure to note the type of water that flooded your vehicle.Fresh water causes less damage to your car than salt water.Check local weather reports for the temperature during and after flooding.Warmer temperatures may speed up corrosion, especially if your car was flooded with salt water.Determine how long your car was submerged.The shorter the time, the more salvageable any damaged parts may be.

[808 Vibes]

Oh thank you...no, it wasn't saltwater. Fresh water that looked like concrete. Lovely! I just came back from the adjuster appointment-half an hour late because I couldn't FIND the place. The mainland Allstate number had their address but no PHONE NUMBER I eventually found it on my own. The guy said to look in the phone book for an interior detailing shop that would do a good job of removing the carpet, inspecting electrical components, inspect floor for rust and killing the bacteria. He said the fogging of the windows was from the water evaporating. He made out a $400+ check to get it started and the interior place will call him and he will go and inspect when it's taken apart, take more pics, and write another check if more is needed. And yes, I told him that one of the first things I did was check the oil to which he praised me over and over

[bodhi_tree777]

oi..i'm amazed at the hoops that they're making you jump through for this. I've never actually had to file an insurance claim (knock knock) but for some reason I'd expect better.

[808 Vibes]

Oh yes. First of all, my agent told me that I had to make a claim by calling the mainland number, as they changed it and now it has to be done that way. (So...........why do I even have an agent at all???????) Then I couldn't find the place. Here I was thinking it HAS to be outside somewhere, but the address was an office building, on the 2nd floor and when I finally found that the lights were on but nobody was home. A sign on the door told me I had to drive on to ANOTHER street, down a parking garage (??) so it was basically in a dungeon. It WAS better. When I had the busted windshield, I wasn't treated like this!

[KNINE]

Maybe you get some groovy shag carpet.

[808 Vibes]

Quote, originally posted by K-NINE »Maybe you get some groovy shag carpet.??? Stop drinking that funny koolaid, dude.

[ColonelPanic]

Aww, I just saw this... that's terrible! I hope they get ya all fixed up. Just make sure the shag carpet is either orange or green.