Owners of flooded cars in Japan's rain-hit Chiba Pref. left without insurance coverage
CHIBA -- Heavy rain in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo from the evening of Aug. 13 into the early hours of Aug. 14 flooded an unusually large number of ve
Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo, experienced heavy rain on August 13 and 14, causing an unusually large number of vehicles to flood. This left many drivers without insurance coverage for the damage to their submerged cars, leaving them worried about the financial burden of repairs. In Chiba City alone, about 2,500 abandoned vehicles were found on municipal roads.
One 47-year-old man had bought his minivan just a year prior, and it was submerged on a flooded road near his home. His wife, 38, and their two children were on their way home when the car stopped on the flooded road. Their insurance company did not respond quickly, and a city-contracted operator moved the vehicle on August 15. The wife now worries about the cost of repairs and whether the car can be driven again.
According to the General Insurance Association of Japan, compulsory automobile liability insurance does not cover vehicle damage; drivers must have voluntary automobile physical damage insurance to receive compensation, which typically covers removal by tow truck and repairs. The general procedure involves contacting the insurance company's service desk, documenting the damage with photographs, and submitting documents to the insurance company to determine the amount of damage and receive insurance money.
However, submerged vehicles can be damaged or catch fire, so owners should not start the engine but arrange for a tow and have the vehicle moved to a repair shop. The insurance payments are usually made two to three weeks after a claim is filed. A major nonlife insurer stated that the unprecedented scale of submerged vehicles has overwhelmed repair shops and others.
The average nationwide enrollment rate for automobile physical damage insurance is 47.4%, with Chiba Prefecture at 50.5%, but still leaving less than half of drivers enrolled. The high repair costs and insurance premiums due to advanced vehicle functions may make enrollment less appealing for many people.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
