Lots of cars got knocked out by last Thursday's rain

Cars being submerged in water after a sudden rainfall at a parking lot in Suwon on June 30. [NEWS1]

The rains were so hard last week that 326 vehicles were damaged on a single day.

According to the General Insurance Association of Korea, a total of 326 vehicles were reported damaged last Thursday to four insurance companies: Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, DB Insurance and KB Insurance.

And that day an average of 170 millimeters of rain fell in Gyeonggi.

Damages to the vehicles was estimated at 3.8 billion won ($2.9 million).

Those four insurers account for 80 percent of all automobiles insured in Korea. After factoring in reports to smaller insurers, damages on that day could exceed 4 billion won.

The rains on June 30 were heavy in certain areas for short periods of time.

Rain fell at a rate of more than 50 millimeters per hour in some parts of Gyeonggi, and a parking lot of a secondhand car dealership was flooded.

Some 100 vehicles in the lot were submerged.

The rainy season is projected to last until July 25 for the middle and southern region of the Peninsula.

Insurance companies are prepared for a surge in claims, which have fallen in the last two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which people drove less.

“The damages were huge as sudden concentrated downpours gave little time to move cars,” an industry source said.

To avoid damage in heavy rains, insurance companies give the following advice:

-- [bullet point] During downpours, drivers must maintain a great distance between vehicles and turn on their headlights.

-- If drivers have to pass through a puddle, they should drive at a speed of 10 to 20 kilometer per hour.

-- After passing through the puddle, the driver needs to step on the brake gently several times to dry the brake lining.

-- If water rises up to the level of the bumper, the driver should move as quickly as possible in low gear to get out before water enters the car's muffler.

-- If a car is submerged, the driver has to quickly turn off the engine and tow it out of the water. If the engine is on, other parts of the vehicle could be damaged.

-- Drivers should stick to the middle lane if they have to pass through flooded areas.

-- Insurance companies may not pay claims for vehicles that are damaged by water because the driver forgot to close the window or the door.

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]