Safe driving on flooded roads




Flooding occurs when rivers burst their banks due to long periods of heavy rainfall. Floods in urban areas can also occur when the sewers and drains become overwhelmed by the volume of water and overflow.

If you live in an area that is prone to flooding or you just like to be prepared for unusual driving conditions, below are some tips for driving safely in flood conditions.

  • Flash floods can occur very rapidly and without warning. They are generally caused by rivers breaking their banks

  • You should never attempt to drive through floodwater that is more than 25cm (about 11 inches) deep. Remember if the flood water is moving it may conceal a damaged or even missing section of the road.

  • Barely 15cm (about 6 inches) of water will reach the bottom of the average car, which is enough to cause a loss of control or make the engine stall

  • Take turns with approaching vehicles to use the centre (the shallowest part) of a flooded road to get through one at a time

  • Remember that many cars can actually start to float in depths of water of no more than 30 cm (12 inches)

  • Don't try driving through fast-moving water, turn round and take another route - or you could easily be swept away

Road accident assistance and injury compensation

At Car Call we and our partners specialise in helping customers who have had their cars damaged or have suffered injuries caused by negligent drivers in all kinds of weather conditions.

We will arrange for your damaged vehicle to be repaired, provide you with a comparable replacement hire car and even help make a compensation claim on your behalf.

Because we and our partners recover costs from the at-fault drivers insurance company.

If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, we can help you make an injury compensation claim. Please give us a call on 02392 484 244 , and one of our experienced claims advisors will be happy to assist you.


No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury