If your car was in water, do this first
- Don’t start it. Water in the intake can destroy an engine the moment it cranks.
- Disconnect the 12V battery if you can do it safely. That reduces the chance of short circuits.
- Take photos of the waterline inside and out, the dashboard and the carpets before anything dries.
- Call your insurer and open a claim. Write down the claim number.
- Call either Prestige shop to arrange an inspection. If the car can’t be driven, call the shop to schedule pickup.
What our flood-damage inspection covers
- Engine: air intake and filter, cylinder inspection for water ingestion, oil checked for water contamination
- Fluids: engine oil, transmission, transfer case and differential fluid drained and checked; brake fluid and fuel system inspected
- Electrical: control modules, fuse boxes, connectors and wiring harnesses. Many BMW, Mercedes and VW Group cars mount modules low in the footwells and trunk.
- Safety systems: airbag modules and seat sensors, ABS and stability control
- Interior: carpet, padding, seat foam and headliner for moisture and odor
- Body and underbody: wheel bearings, brakes and suspension joints, especially after salt water
Every finding is photographed and listed on a written estimate.
Salt water vs. fresh water
Salt water near the beach, Intracoastal and canals does far more damage than rain water. It corrodes copper wiring and aluminum parts fast and keeps working after the car dries. If your car sat in salt water, tell us. We will look harder at connectors, harnesses and brake parts, and we note the water type in the report your adjuster sees.
How we document and fight the claim
Insurance adjusters see many flood cars at once. A thin estimate can miss hidden damage, and that leaves you paying later. We build a file that is hard to argue with:
- Photos of every finding, from waterlines to corroded connectors and contaminated fluid samples
- Fault code reports from factory-level tools: BMW ISTA, Mercedes XENTRY, Porsche PIWIS-level, VW/Audi ODIS-level and JLR Pathfinder-level
- A line-item estimate with OEM part numbers and labor
- Supplements when we find more damage after teardown, documented and sent for approval
- Direct contact with your adjuster, by phone or in person at the shop
If the insurer offers a settlement that ignores documented damage, we help you respond with the evidence. Our insurance and warranty claims page explains the full process.
Overheating or warning lights after driving through water
Driving through standing water on a flooded street can push water into places it doesn’t belong without the car fully submerging. Watch for:
- A hydro-locked or rough-running engine
- Overheating from a damaged fan or radiator. See coolant leak repair.
- Electrical warnings, dead windows or locks. See auto electrical repair.
- A milky look to the oil on the dipstick or in the oil filter
Repairs after the inspection
Once your insurer approves, we repair in house: engine and drivetrain work, module replacement and coding, interior drying or replacement, and any body and paint damage. Repairs carry our 2-year / 24,000-mile warranty. Spanish speakers can read reparación de autos inundados y chocados.
Both shops are open 7 days, 8 AM – 7 PM, with ASE-certified, factory-trained technicians. English and Spanish.
