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🚗 Your car on the coast

Flood and hurricane damage to your car is covered only by comprehensive auto coverage. Liability-only won't pay, and flood insurance never covers cars. Add it before hurricane season.

🛡️ Coverage

• Comprehensive ("other than collision") covers flood, storm and falling-tree damage to your own car. You pay the deductible.
• Liability-only pays for damage you do to others, not to your car.
• Flood insurance (NFIP) doesn't cover cars, and neither do homeowners policies.
• Financed or leased? Your lender usually requires comprehensive already. Check your deductible.

⏱️ Timing

• Once a storm is named and likely to hit, insurers typically freeze new policies and coverage changes.
• Set it up before hurricane season (June 1 – Nov 30).

🌀 Before a storm

• Move cars to higher ground or a garage, away from trees and storm drains.
• Keep the tank full when a hurricane or flood watch is posted.
• Never drive into floodwater. If water rises around your car, get out and move to higher ground if it's safe.

🌊 King tides & tidal flooding

• Low streets flood at very high tides, even on sunny days. In Charleston, minor flooding starts around 7.0 ft (MLLW) and roads can close near 7.5 ft.
• Flooding can start 1–2 hours before and after high tide. Don't park in low spots; check the city's TIDEeye map.
• Saltwater is hard on cars. During major tidal flooding the city has opened garages for free parking.

🔍 Buying a used car after a storm

• Run the VIN through the free NICB VINCheck and get a vehicle history report.
• Look for "flood" or "salvage" on the title, musty smells, silt, rust and new carpet. Have a mechanic inspect it.
• A clean report doesn't rule out flooding: uninsured flood cars may not show up.

🌊 Moving to the coast✅ Home checklist🗺️ Flood zone lookup

lowcountryfloodwatch.com/guides/coastal-auto/ · Last verified Oct 2026 · General info, not insurance advice.