What to do and what not to do
The single most important instruction is not to turn the key. If water reached the intake, cranking the engine pulls it into the cylinders, and if it reached the electrical system, powering up can cascade damage through modules that were otherwise fine. Leave it alone and call for a flatbed.
Then mark the water line while you can still see it. A tide mark on the door, on the seat base, or in the footwell tells everyone — you, the adjuster, the shop — how deep it went, and that single measurement drives almost every decision that follows.
- Do not start the engine or switch the ignition on
- Photograph the water line inside and outside the vehicle
- Photograph the car where it sat, with the flooding visible
- Note how long it was submerged and whether the water was moving
- Have it towed on a flatbed, not dragged
How flood claims work in Minnesota
Flood is a comprehensive loss, alongside hail, fire, and falling objects. Liability and collision coverage do not apply, so if your policy is liability-only there is unfortunately no coverage for this. Where comprehensive is in force, no fault is assigned and your comprehensive deductible applies.
Expect a careful evaluation. Insurance companies treat water damage cautiously because electrical faults and corrosion surface months later, and a vehicle that sat in deep water is frequently declared a total loss even when it looks intact. Minnesota also brands salvage titles, which follows the vehicle permanently.
What we do and do not handle
Our work is body, paint, and structure. Engine and electrical diagnosis, interior water remediation, and mold treatment are not services we offer, and we would rather tell you that plainly than take a car we cannot properly return to you. For those, a mechanical shop and a restoration specialist are the right calls.
What we can do is the body side once the vehicle is dry and sound: panels damaged by debris, corrosion starting at door bottoms and rocker seams, and refinishing where the water and silt ruined the paint. We are also glad to look at photos and tell you where the car actually stands.
- Engine and electrical diagnosis: a mechanical specialist
- Carpet, upholstery, and mold treatment: a restoration specialist
- Glass replacement: a glass shop of your choosing
- Body panels, corrosion, and refinishing: handled here
- Structural measuring, if debris struck the vehicle: handled here
Getting a straight answer
If you are not sure whether the car is worth pursuing, send photos of the water line and the interior. We will tell you honestly what falls in our lane and what does not, and point you to the specialist who should look at it first — at no cost.
For the body and paint work that follows a water event, our estimate comes back free within 24 hours and the refinishing carries a lifetime warranty. Call (651) 460-9996 and we can talk through what the vehicle needs before you spend anything.
