Flooding at Chai Wan Parking Lot | Black Rain Floods Damage Cars? Is Car Insurance Covered?

On July 29, 2025, the Hong Kong Observatory issued its first Black Rainstorm Warning of the year, whichremained in effect for nearly two hours. Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters per hour was recorded in the Eastern and Southern districts of Hong Kong Island, with intense and concentrated downpours increasing the risk of landslides. The Chai Wan Wan Tsui Car Parking Lot experienced rapid flooding, with water reaching knee-deep at one point, making the situation particularly severe. That day, some cars in the parking lot were submerged up to one-third of their tire height, and some motorcycles and vehicles were severely damaged, potentially requiring total loss. Many car owners, besides rushing to the scene to salvage their vehicles, were also concerned aboutwhether their car insurance would cover the losses caused by this flood. 

After all, if a car is damaged due to flooding due to weather, will car insurance cover it? 

Will car insurance cover these situations? The key lies in the type of insurance the car owner purchased: 

Third party liability insurance (three guarantees) 

According to Hong Kong law, all vehicles on the road must have three types of insurance. This type of insurance covers the vehicle owner's legal liability for property damage, personal injury, or death caused to third parties in the event of a traffic accident, but does not cover the costs related to damage to the vehicle owner's own vehicle or personal injury. In other words,if a vehicle owner only has three types of insurance, repair costs for vehicles damaged by rain or flooding are not covered, and the owner must bear all losses themselves. 

Comprehensive car insurance (full coverage)  

This type of insurance covers a broader range of damage,typically including vehicle damage caused by natural disasters or severe weather, such as black rain, flooding, and typhoon signal No. 8.This insurance covers mechanical failure caused by flooding, damage from fallen trees or debris, and broken windows. Insurance companies recommend that car owners take appropriate preventative measures as early as possible when severe weather is anticipated to reduce vehicle damage and thus minimize out-of-pocket repair costs. 

How should car owners prevent and cope with extreme weather risks? 

Hong Kong has experienced increasingly frequent extreme weather events in recent years, with black rainstorm warnings and typhoons becoming more common. These extreme weather events not only affect daily life but also pose significant risks to car owners. Flooding, fallen trees, and impacts from flying debris are frequent occurrences, resulting in numerous cases of car damage or even total loss 

Therefore,purchasing comprehensive auto insurance has become the primary line of defense for car owners to protect their assets. Comprehensive insurance (full coverage) not only covers losses caused by traffic accidents, but also damage to vehicles caused by natural disasters such as rainstorms, floods, and storms. Compared to the minimum statutory insurance that only covers third-party liability, comprehensive insurance can provide more complete protection for car owners' vehicles, alleviating the huge economic pressure brought about by sudden weather disasters. 

Key Comparisons of Natural Disaster Insurance Coverage—AWM Auto Insurance Experts Help You Make the Smart Choice 

If you are considering buying car insurance, remember to ask for a quote from us and compare the claim limits, deductibles and additional services of different insurance companies for natural disaster protection such as floods, so as to avoid being unable to claim due to insufficient insurance coverage, or paying too high out-of-pocket costs. AWM, the car insurance expert, carefully selects car insurance plans from more than 20 insurance companies for you, and provides you with comprehensive insurance (full insurance) quotes instantly. After submitting all the documents and payment, a temporary policy will be issued in as fast as 30 minutes, allowing you to quickly obtain comprehensive protection and deal with various natural disaster risks with peace of mind