Hurricane season starts: NOAA expects a quieter year, but one flood can still total your car

A car parked in the wrong place for one night of storm surge can be a total loss by morning. Whether you recover its value depends on one line of your auto policy.

The forecast

The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. On May 21, NOAA forecast a 55% chance of a below-normal season, a 35% chance of a near-normal one and a 10% chance of an above-normal one. It expects 8 to 14 named storms, of which 3 to 6 could become hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes. A likely El Niño, which tends to suppress Atlantic storms, is the main reason (NOAA).

Below normal is not zero. Flooding also does not need a hurricane. Heavy rain from a tropical storm, or an ordinary summer storm, can put water into a car.

What the policy actually says

• Comprehensive coverage pays for flood damage to your car. It covers damage not caused by a collision, including flood, windstorm, hail and fire, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ( NAIC ).
• Liability-only policies pay nothing for your own car. If you dropped comprehensive to save money, a flooded car is your loss.
• Home flood insurance does not cover your car. Flood policies for homes protect the building and its contents. Your vehicle is the auto policy's responsibility.
• A flooded car is often a total loss. Water damages electronics and safety systems. Insurers frequently total flooded vehicles and pay their actual cash value, minus your deductible ( NAIC ).
• Coverage is often frozen before a storm. Insurers commonly stop accepting new policies or coverage changes once a storm is approaching an area. Adding comprehensive when a hurricane is already in the forecast may not be possible. Do it now.

If your car floods

1. Do not start it. Running an engine that has taken in water can cause further damage.
2. Photograph everything: the water line inside and outside, the interior and the dashboard.
3. Call your insurer promptly and start the claim. Keep a record of every call.
4. Move it to a dry place if you can do so without starting it, to limit further damage.

A warning for car buyers

After major floods, waterlogged cars often re-enter the used market, sometimes far from where they flooded. The NAIC warns that flood damage can compromise a car's computers and safety systems, and recommends checking any used car's history through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and the NICB VINCheck service before you buy (NAIC).

Coverage check

• Confirm your policy includes comprehensive coverage, not liability only.
• Check your comprehensive deductible against the cash you could pay tomorrow.
• Ask whether your insurer restricts changes once a storm watch is issued.
• Store a copy of your policy and your insurer's claims number off your phone as well.
• Plan where you would move your car to higher ground if a storm approaches.
• If you are shopping for a used car, run the VIN through a title history check.

The bottom line: a quiet forecast is not a reason to stay unprotected. If you live anywhere water can reach, comprehensive coverage is what stands between a flood and the full value of your car. Confirm you have it before the first storm has a name.

Sources

• NOAA, NOAA predicts below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season , May 21, 2026
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners, What Does Auto Insurance Cover?
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Buying a Used Car? Get the Facts to Avoid a Flood Damaged Vehicle
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Auto Insurance consumer guide

Insurance rules and prices vary by state and insurer. This article is for general information, not individual advice; consult a licensed insurance professional for your situation.

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