Car flooded with sewage - what next?

carfused

I recently bought a 2003 Skoda Fabia and the garage where it is parked flooded with sewage overnight. My car was parked on an incline and the floor of the back seat area is damp with sewage water (no visible lumps, but soggy).

I took it to a garage for a check, and they say that the car seems fine to drive and they don't envision a problem. I was hoping for some opinions based on:

1) Should I tell my insurer? - will this count against me when I have to renew?
2) If I have a high voluntary and compulsory excess (£400 total), is it likely that they will charge me the full amount? - I don't believe that there is anything I could've done to avoid this, other than not park in my garage.
3) I was hoping to just have it superficially cleaned, rather than have the seats/floor ripped out. I don't know if it's worth having the wiring checked or not (quoted at £250+VAT total service)

Meanwhile I will continue to chase someone who will take responsibility for the flood.

Thanks in advance.

redux

Talk to your insurer, but if it's only cosmetic you can probably get a good valet clean for under the excess cost, including carpet and seats out, which is not a lot of work. If so then not worth claiming. You need to be sure though that no further issues might arise later, which might make you wish you had claimed. Is it only the rear carpets? What about in the boot?

Stooby2

You could try cleaning it yourself, but you'll probably find you'll just be going through the motions.



I'll get my coat...

sheslookinhot

carfused wrote: »

I recently bought a 2003 Skoda Fabia and the garage where it is parked flooded with sewage overnight. My car was parked on an incline and the floor of the back seat area is damp with sewage water (no visible lumps, but soggy).

I took it to a garage for a check, and they say that the car seems fine to drive and they don't envision a problem. I was hoping for some opinions based on:

1) Should I tell my insurer? - will this count against me when I have to renew?
2) If I have a high voluntary and compulsory excess (£400 total), is it likely that they will charge me the full amount? - I don't believe that there is anything I could've done to avoid this, other than not park in my garage.
3) I was hoping to just have it superficially cleaned, rather than have the seats/floor ripped out. I don't know if it's worth having the wiring checked or not (quoted at £250+VAT total service)

Meanwhile I will continue to chase someone who will take responsibility for the flood.

Thanks in advance.

There's always someone to blame.

SLITHER99

I caused the flood in your garage

Come at me bro!

anotherbaldrick

carfused wrote: »

I recently bought a 2003 Skoda Fabia and the garage where it is parked flooded with sewage overnight. My car was parked on an incline and the floor of the back seat area is damp with sewage water (no visible lumps, but soggy).

I took it to a garage for a check, and they say that the car seems fine to drive and they don't envision a problem. I was hoping for some opinions based on:

1) Should I tell my insurer? - will this count against me when I have to renew?
2) If I have a high voluntary and compulsory excess (£400 total), is it likely that they will charge me the full amount? - I don't believe that there is anything I could've done to avoid this, other than not park in my garage.
3) I was hoping to just have it superficially cleaned, rather than have the seats/floor ripped out. I don't know if it's worth having the wiring checked or not (quoted at £250+VAT total service)

Meanwhile I will continue to chase someone who will take responsibility for the flood.

Thanks in advance.

If it was contaminated water you need to get a good supply of air fresheners for when it starts to dry out.

geri1965_2

sheslookinhot wrote: »

There's always someone to blame.

I blame God.

maninthestreet

Surely the car must stink to high heaven?

SLITHER99

TBH, I would simply get the insurance on the case.

fred7777

carfused wrote: »

1) Should I tell my insurer? - will this count against me when I have to renew?

They will probably find a way to charge you more next time if you do and if your not going to claim then I wouldn't bother,

carfused wrote: »

2) If I have a high voluntary and compulsory excess (£400 total), is it likely that they will charge me the full amount? - I don't believe that there is anything I could've done to avoid this, other than not park in my garage.

If fixing it costs the full amount then they will make you pay it if you claim. They don't care about what you could have done just what you are claiming for,

carfused wrote: »

3) I was hoping to just have it superficially cleaned, rather than have the seats/floor ripped out. I don't know if it's worth having the wiring checked or not (quoted at £250+VAT total service)

The seat and carpet may be a lot easier and quicker to remove than you think. Hatch backs with seats that tip are usually very easy to get the seats out of.
I wouldn't bother getting the wiring checked. get a friend to help you check everything still works then spend some time making sure everything properly dries out. If it works now and gets dry it'll be OK.

Hintza

Tell your insurer nothing unless you are making a claim, but make your mind up sooner rather than later.