O
ndoy’s wrath has cost the Philippines hundreds of lives of Filipinos and billions of pesos in terms of damaged properties. Photos, videos and actual footages of people clinging to each other, braving the neck-high flood in search of loved ones or higher grounds for safety have spread everywhere, especially in the net.
What could be notable, however, are the photos and videos taken during the flood that show hundreds of cars floating in various locations, even in the Metro’s major thoroughfares.
People whose automobiles may have been spared from being washed away by the flood might probably find it hard to decide on what to do with their flood-damaged car.
The good news is that, any vehicle can be restored, but, the question is: “Is it worth it?”
According to John Nielsen, Director of AAA’s Auto Buying and Auto Repair Network, “Total restoration of a flood-damaged car can be as extensive and expensive as restoring a classic car”. Moreover, there is a possibility that owners may encounter mechanical problems years after restoring the flooded automobile.
In the Philippines, some insurance companies have clarified in the news that calamities are considered “acts of God”, and damage of vehicles caused by such are not covered by their policies. If your car was one of those hundreds of vehicles submerged in the flood, and your car’s insurance company says it isn’t covered, you’d probably think it wiser to keep your vehicle and restore it.
According to Jun Francia, Technical Committee Chairman of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI), repairs for flood-damaged cars can range from P10,000 to dry up carpets to P300,000 for repairs of computer boxes and electronic parts.
If you can pretty much afford the restoration cost and have deemed it more practical than buying a new car, here are tips on how you can safely restore your flood-damaged vehicles:
1. Contact your insurance carrier or agent immediately and report the exposure of your vehicle to water or flood.
2. Take note of the highest level of water exposure of the vehicle. This will help qualified technicians evaluate and take the necessary steps to correct any damage.
3. Do not start a vehicle that has been submerged in floodwater until a thorough inspection is performed by a qualified technician. The technician should first:
a. Inspect all mechanical components like the engine, transmission, axles, brake system and fuel system for water contamination.
b. Take immediate steps to dry the car by draining the floodwater from contaminated mechanical systems and flush with clean water or a solvent, as appropriate, so as to reduce the period of time that the vehicle components are exposed to water.
c. Drain and replace all contaminated fluids (oil, transmission, brake, power-steering and anti-freeze fluids), and replace all filters and gaskets for components exposed to water.
d. A thorough cleaning of brake parts and repacking of bearings, particularly for rear-end drive vehicles may be recommended by repair facilities. In front-wheel drive vehicles, bearings are sealed.
e. The car’s wiring and electrical system are vulnerable to the damaging effects of flood water. Water-sensitive components may also need to be replaced as extended flood exposure may have lingering effects.
Sounds like a lot of hard work, and probably might cost you some money, but, if you do a good job of emptying everything out and cleaning all the damage and ensuring no corrosion from pockets of water (which should be done ASAP), I see no reason why you shouldn’t salvage your car. Besides, repairing your flood-damaged car could be better than sending it off to a junk shop for a really cheap price, especially if you just loaned your car and have not finished paying for it yet, or if your car has some sentimental value that you can’t just afford to let it go.
On the other hand, if restoring it is as expensive as getting a new car minus a few hundred, you need to think if it’s worth your time.
Let’s say you successfully restored it but are thinking of selling it, be prepared to deal with skeptical buyers or end up in a sacrifice sale, especially while some areas in Metro Manila remain flooded to date, and while stories about Ondoy and the most recent storms remain in the news stream.
However, if you are determined to sell your car, find out if your car’s manufacturer allows a trade-in, disclose that the car was damaged by the flood, and try to get a good deal. There are car manufacturers like BMW, Honda, and some auto-exchange establishments that have a trade-in program where they re-sell the flooded-car as a pre-owned vehicle.
To sum it up, before junking your then-precious-now-worn-out ride, or keeping it while its motor runs, or trading-in or buying a new car, consider your priorities and financial capacity, weigh the pros and cons, and choose the best option for you – something that should give you the best deal and peace of mind.
Sources: AAA Offers Advice for Owners of Flood-Damaged Automobiles – www.aaanewsroom.net
What to do with flood-damaged vehicles- http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
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