← Water in Oil

Oil Contamination Insurance Claims

Water in oil and coolant contamination caused by mechanical failure or flood damage are often covered by comprehensive vehicle insurance. EEK Mechanical provides the technical documentation your insurer needs to assess and approve your claim.

Call Now: 0800 769 000

When Is Water in Oil Covered?

Flood or Storm Damage

Often Covered

Comprehensive policies almost always cover flood and storm damage, including water ingestion into the engine. Critical: you must not have attempted to start the engine after the flooding occurred.

Mechanical Failure (Head Gasket, Oil Cooler)

Often Covered

If the contamination was caused by a sudden mechanical failure — not gradual wear — many comprehensive policies cover the resulting oil contamination damage. Check your policy wording for "sudden and accidental mechanical failure".

Wear and Tear / Gradual Failure

Typically Not Covered

Contamination caused by gradual wear, deferred maintenance, or known pre-existing conditions is typically excluded. Insurers assess this based on vehicle service history and the technical report.

Third-Party Fault (e.g. Pothole, River Crossing)

Often Covered

If the flood or water event was caused by or aggravated by a third party or council infrastructure failure, you may have a third-party claim in addition to an insurance claim.

Our Insurance Report

EEK Mechanical generates a formal Oil Contamination Report accepted by all major New Zealand insurers. It includes:

Vehicle identification (rego, make, model, VIN)
Date, time, and location of incident
Contamination type and severity assessment
Photographic evidence of oil condition
Identified source of contamination
NZIFDA certified technician sign-off
Oil volume drained and disposal certificate
Recommended mechanical repairs required

Major NZ Insurers — What to Know

AMI

Flood damage covered under comprehensive. Contact 0800 100 200 immediately after the event.

AA Insurance

Comprehensive policies cover flood/weather damage to engine. Report within 48 hours.

State Insurance

Weather event damage covered. Refer to your policy schedule for mechanical failure clauses.

Tower Insurance

Flood damage covered under comprehensive. Online claim submission available.

FMG

Rural and lifestyle customers — FMG has strong weather event cover. Call 0800 366 466.

Vero / Farmers Mutual

Commercial and personal policies — water damage claims processed through your broker.

How to Make a Claim

1

Don't start the engine

The single most important thing. Starting a flooded or contaminated engine may void your claim entirely.

2

Call EEK Mechanical

We come to you, assess the situation, and begin the drainage process. We document everything for your insurer.

3

Notify your insurer

Call your insurer's claims line as soon as possible. Many require notification within 24-48 hours of an incident.

4

Receive our report

We provide a formal Oil Contamination Report with photos, findings, and technician certification. Email it to your insurer.

5

Insurer assessment

Your insurer's assessor reviews our report. In most cases this is sufficient — no further inspection required.

Related Guides

Flooded Engine →Coolant in Oil →Milky Oil Diagnosis →

Making a Claim? Call Us First.

We generate the documentation your insurer needs. 24/7 across New Zealand.

0800 769 000