Is car insurance valid on beach/tidal zone?

Sweet_Potato

Hi there.

Just a stupid question really. I friend on mine had his car almost flooded on a beach during high tide. Now he said he was lucky as if it was any higher then the car would have been flooded and car insurance is not valid on a beach car park. I disagree with that but thought I'll ask. I do a lot of activities on or around beaches/tidal areas and frequently park in beach car parks or near beaches. If I should ever be delayed getting back to my car and a very high tide floods it will insurance cover it. I do always plan tide times and heights but just curious if one is covered on a beach etc

Regards
SP

vaio

Insurers may differ so have a read of your policy which will tell you what is or isn't covered

dzug1

I doubt if it's valid for water damage in an area that is regularly flooded - even if other (eg accidental damage) is covered

forgotmyname

If they failed to move it before the tide came in then it maybe negligence and possibly not covered.

InsideInsurance

RTO cover is the only one where you'd probably find no cover for beaches as it may not be considered a public highway but then RTO provides no cover for own vehicle damage so its somewhat irrelevant to the question.

Ultimately read the terms of your policy and any territorial limits/ general exceptions. I've not seen beaches excluded before and would be surprised if anyone did but there's always a first.

You may find a reasonable care clause that they could try and argue if it is a case of you leaving the car somewhere known to flood by the high tide and just not coming back in time but vagueness of reporting and lack of investigation would probably mean this isn't enacted

Sweet_Potato

Thanks for the replies... I also understand the reasonable care clause etc but thought I'll just ask. It was more a situation of not being able to get back in time should one get into difficulties due to the activity involved and as a result be delayed getting back to the car in time due to unforeseen circumstances. Anyhoos, I will check with my current provider.

Regards.

Buzby

My policy states there is no cover for off-road use, and by extension a beach is 'private' (between High/low tide marks it is still the Crown Estates) so it might be difficult to argue for cover.

vaio

InsideInsurance wrote: »

RTO cover is the only one where you'd probably find no cover for beaches as it may not be considered a public highway but then RTO provides no cover for own vehicle damage so its somewhat irrelevant to the question........

As far as RTA cover is concerned I'd have thought that a beach would qualify under the "or other public place" bit

InsideInsurance

vaio wrote: »

As far as RTA cover is concerned I'd have thought that a beach would qualify under the "or other public place" bit

Hence the comment of may - will depend on the detail

System

There are public roads that flood at high tide. If insurance was invalid then the driver would be committing an offence of driving uninsured?

Like wise a public or private car park to which the public has access counts as public highway for insurance purposes.
But a beach would be another matter surely?

forgotmyname

Its not about being uninsured its about not being covered in the event of a claim by yourself.

A road wouldnt get flooded on a daily basis by a known entity the incoming tide.

If you take a sledgehammer to your car your still insured, But not covered for the damage you cause.

Like the wording from a fire and theft policy exludes fire by your own doing.
Cannot think of the exact words but it made me smile reading it.

Can i park at the top of beachy head and leave the hand brake off intentionally?