GEICO Reminds Drivers of the Perils of High Water and the Danger of Flood-Damaged Vehicles

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–“Avoid the temptation to drive through the unknown puddles,” stated
GEICO’s Risk Manager Tim Wander. “Turn around and find a different
route.” In 2015, flash and river floods claimed 176 lives, up
dramatically from 38 in 2014 reports National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA also reports that of
the 176 deaths, 112 (64%), were killed in a vehicle, likely trying to
cross a flooded road.

Even if you’re not swept away but water entered the vehicle, many newer
cars have electrical components on the floor under the seat, and now you
have potentially damaged more than just your carpet.

When driving in the rain

• Reduce your speed.
• Maintain a safe distance.
• Turn on your headlamps.
• Choose tires with a tread pattern that pushes water away from the tire.
• If you don’t see the painted lines don’t drive through.

If you hydroplane, immediately take your foot off the accelerator. Don’t
apply the brakes abruptly or turn the steering wheel. A rotating tire
has traction, a sliding one does not. Steady pressure to the brakes is
best. Oils from the wet road and worn tires make it easy to lose
traction and slide and simply turning on your headlamps makes you more
visible to other drivers. Tire tread patterns are designed to do
different tasks depending on your driving needs.

Flood vehicles:

Most people think of flood-damaged vehicles as submerged to the engine
and water filling the interior to the steering wheel on. This may be
true in some cases however, not all flood-damaged vehicles are easy to
spot, but they all leave clues behind.

National
Insurance Crime Bureau suggests the following things.

• VINCheck,
  enter your vehicle identification number to check its reported history.
• Inspect the vehicle for water stains.
• Check for rust on screws in the console or areas where water normally
  doesn’t reach.
• Check for mud or grit in the spare tire compartment, alternator
  crevices, around the small recesses of starter motors, power steering
  pumps and relays.
• Look under the hood for signs of oxidation. Pull back rubber boots
  around electrical and mechanical connections for these indicators.

For more flood information please visit GEICO
More. For GEICO policyholders who need to report a loss log onto GEICO.com,
or call 1-800-841-3000 24 hours a day.

GEICO
(Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire
Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger
auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in
1936, provides millions of auto
insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to
serve more than 15 million private passenger customers, insuring more
than 24 million vehicles (auto & cycle).

Using GEICO’s online
service center, policyholders can purchase policies, make policy
changes, report claims and print insurance ID cards. Policyholders can
also connect to GEICO through the GEICO
App, reach a representative over
the phone or visit a GEICO
local agent.

GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles,
all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, travel trailers and motorhomes
(RVs). Coverage for life, homes and apartments is written by
non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO
Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella
protection are also available.

For more information, go to www.geico.com.

Contacts

GEICO Communications
gcorpcomm@geico.com
To
view GEICO’s Blog: https://www.geico.com/more/