Determine the repairs of a water damaged vehicle

Steps for an estimator to authorize a repair or a total loss for a water damaged motor vehicle.

Procedure

1. Review the claim loss details.
2. Inspect the vehicle.
3. Determine whether the vehicle is repairable or not repairable.

   If …	And the vehicle is …	Then …
   water line is above the bottom of the dash water damage to major electrical system component, or vehicle is unsafe due to toxic or biohazard exposure	flood damaged, and a total loss Note: Flood damaged vehicle as defined by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) Guidelines.	proceed as a total loss vehicle, designate the vehicle as dismantle purposes only (DPO), and request the vehicle to be crushed.
   water line is not above the bottom of the dash no water damage to major electrical system component, and vehicle is not rendered unsafe due to toxic or biohazard exposure	repairable	authorize the repair of the vehicle.
   water line is not above the bottom of the dash no water damage to major electrical system components, and vehicle is not rendered unsafe due to toxic or biohazard exposure	not repairable	proceed as total loss vehicle, and designate vehicle for DPO