You tried to cross a “puddle” that turned out to be a four-foot-deep sinkhole. The engine sucked water. It died instantly (hydro-lock). You dragged it out, but the engine is seized. You call insurance. They say, “We don’t cover water ingestion unless it was a flood.”
Key Takeaways
- Sudden vs. Gradual: Insurance covers accidents. It does not cover you driving into a river on purpose.
- The “Water Crossing” Defense: If you were on a trail and the water level rose unexpectedly or the bottom gave way, that is an accident.
- The “Abuse” Denial: If the adjuster sees a snorkel kit and 35-inch mud tires, they will argue you were “mudding” (intentional abuse) and deny the claim.
- Immediate Action Required: You must mitigate damage (drain oil/cylinders) immediately. If you leave it wet for a week waiting for the adjuster, they will deny the corrosion damage.
The “Why” (The Trap): Intentional Acts
Standard policies exclude damage caused by “intentional exposure to danger.”
The Scenario:
You post a video on TikTok shouting “Watch this!” as you drive into a lake.
The Adjuster: Sees the video. Denies claim.
The Clause:
“Loss caused by water ingestion is excluded unless resulting from the vehicle being submerged due to a flash flood or collapse of a bridge/roadway.” (Some budget policies have this strict wording).
The Investigation: Policy Nuances
I compared water coverage.
Progressive
- Stance: Generally covers water ingestion if it is accidental.
- Warning: They look for “modifications indicative of deep water use” (snorkels).
Geico
- Stance: Stricter on “off-road abuse.” If the water was deeper than the manufacturer’s recommended fording depth (usually floorboards), they might argue negligence.
Comparison Table: Water Claims
| Scenario | Coverage Probability |
| Flash Flood in Garage | 100% Covered (Comprehensive) |
| Trail Crossing (Hidden Hole) | High (Collision/Accident) |
| “Mud Bog” Event | Low/Denied (Competition/Abuse) |
| Driving into Ocean/Lake | Denied (Intentional) |
[IMAGE: Photo of an ATV submerged to the handlebars in muddy water]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Do Not Restart It: Cranking a hydro-locked engine bends the connecting rods. That turns a $500 flush job into a $5,000 rebuild.
- Pull the Plugs: Remove spark plugs and crank it to spit the water out. Change the oil 3 times. Document that you did this to “mitigate loss.”
- Frame the Narrative: “I was crossing a trail stream and the bank collapsed,” is an accident. “I wanted to see if I could make it,” is negligence.
- Hide the Snorkel? Don’t commit fraud. But realize that if you installed a snorkel, you signaled intent to go deep.
FAQ
Is it a total loss if it sinks?
Often, yes. Modern UTVs have so many electronics (ECU, digital dash, electric power steering) that water intrusion fries the electrical system months later. Adjusters prefer to total them.