Understanding The Dangers Posed By Deep Water Is Key To Staying Safe And Minimizing Vehicle Damage
Increased Storm Activity Predicted for 2004; Progressive Offers Safety Tips and How to Recognize and Avoid Vehicle Flood Damage
MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — March 29, 2004 — Meteorologists predict a busier-than-usual hurricane season in 2004 with seven hurricanes and 13 named storms expected. The best way to prevent harm and reduce property damage is to be aware of the dangers associated with these storms and to be prepared. Last year, hundreds of thousands of people experienced first-hand the extensive damage hurricanes can unleash when Claudette and Isabel smashed into the U.S. Coast, causing more than $3.5 billion in damages.
One of the most dangerous consequences of hurricanes is inland flooding. According to the National Hurricane Center, more than half of all hurricane deaths in the past 30 years were due to inland flooding. One-quarter of those killed were people who drowned in, or when attempting to abandon, their cars.
"Making sure you and your family are safe is most important when planning for hurricane season," said Greg Kujawa, claims manager, Progressive. "In heavy storm situations, many people rely on their car to transport them out of harm's way, but driving in storms can pose serious dangers to you and your vehicle."
Progressive offers these tips for staying safe:
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Avoid driving through standing water. The average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water.
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When you're evacuating or returning following a storm, stay away from standing water on roads and in parking lots. If you come upon a flooded street, take an alternate route. Water covered roads are prone to collapse.
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If no alternate route exists and you have no other reasonable alternative but to drive through standing water.
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Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
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Drive SLOWLY and STEADILY through the water.
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Once you and your vehicle are out of deep water and are in a safe area, depress your brakes slowly to dry them.
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If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety (know, however, that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine).
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If you can't restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, IMMEDIATELY ABANDON IT FOR HIGHER GROUND. If you are unable to get out of the vehicle safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground.
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If you're evacuating an area and are leaving a vehicle behind, be sure it's not left in a low-lying area prone to flooding.
"If you abandoned your car, inspect it thoroughly after the storm," said Kujawa. "If you suspect water has entered the engine, don't try to start the vehicle — you will only cause more damage. If you think your vehicle was flooded, call your insurance company immediately."
Repair of flood damage is paid for under comprehensive coverage, a component of physical damage insurance that pays for damage from weather-related events or if the vehicle is stolen or vandalized. Physical damage insurance is optional and, according to Progressive, adds about 40 percent to the cost of a six-month policy.
Additional tips to check for damage:
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Check the oil indicator — if the oil level is too high there may be water in the engine.
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Measure the depth of the water in which the car was submerged. It's possible that floodwaters were low enough and did not enter parts susceptible to damage.
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Determine how long the car was submerged. The shorter the time, the more salvageable any damaged parts may be.
Note the type of water that flooded the vehicle. Fresh water causes less damage to a car than salt water.
The Progressive group of insurance companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance based on premiums written and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7, in-person and online service.
The companies offer insurance by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, online at progressive.com and through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S. Providing stakeholders the information they need to make more informed decisions is a key company strategy.
In 1994, Progressive became the first auto insurance company to provide its rates alongside the rates of other companies so consumers could easily compare and decide. In 2001, Progressive became the first Fortune 500 company to report operating results monthly and in August 2003 the Company began reporting earnings per share monthly.
The Common Shares of the Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, are publicly traded at NYSE: PGR. More information about the company can be found at progressive.com.
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