Did you park your car in the street during a storm and later discovered that the water levels were so high that water entered your vehicle? If so, you may be wondering what you can do about it. You may be best using your auto insurance to help pay for the damage. Here is what you need to know about having this type of damage covered.

Have the Right Kind of Coverage 

It is common for state laws to only require that you purchase car insurance that covers damage to other people's property and liability coverage. This ensures that if you do get into an accident with another vehicle, you will not have to pay for the other person's vehicle or their medical bills. Buying additional comprehensive coverage is up to you and will not come with basic auto insurance.

If you park on the street and now that it frequently floods, consider upgrading to comprehensive auto insurance. It is the only way to ensure that you'll be able to make a claim if your vehicle is involved in a flood where water starts seeping in through the door. While you can skip out on this insurance, you'll end up paying for any flood damage that is caused.

Assess the Damage

Look at how high up the water was in your vehicle to determine what you should do. If it only covered the floor, the vehicle should be safe to drive for now. However, be very concerned if it reached a level where there is an electrical fuse box of any other wiring. The car's wiring may seem fine if it dries out, but water can cause wires to corrode.

Rainwater will be fresh water, which should pose the least amount of damage to your vehicle. If the flooding was caused by salt water, be aware that it is much more corrosive.

Dry Out Your Car

The length of exposure to water also plays into the damage. Even if you plan on using insurance, it is in your best interest to dry out your car as quickly as possible. Get out a shop vacuum to remove the water, open doors to allow air to circulate, and do what it takes to remove the water. You can potentially limit the damage by acting quickly, which can help save your car from having extensive damage caused to it. There is no guarantee that insurance will pay for a new car, so you better try to save your old one.