When Tropical Storm 'Ondoy' hit the Philippines on 26 September 2009, hundreds of Filipinos had to leave their cars behind as they scrambled for safety and helplessly watch as their cars are submerged in floodwaters. Now, they are scratching their heads and wondering what to do with their vehicles and how much to pay to have them repaired.

There is no estimate yet on the number of cars damaged by Ondoy’s floods, although the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) has pegged the overall damage to all property at PhP 1.5 billion all over the country.

Art Mallari, a fleet manager from a pharmaceutical company, said in an interview with The Philippine Star that car owners would have to spend some PhP 150,000 to get their vehicles repaired. Based on experience (he was in Nissan during the 1999 great flood that hit eastern Metro Manila), he said an average sedan would require replacement of the following parts:

• Electronic Control Unit (ECU), more popularly known as the computer box, which costs PhP 40,000 on average.


• Radio and sound system. Basic types easily cost PhP 10,000.


• Instrument panel. Most cars today have digital speedometers and tachometers. These are all electronic and get damaged once soaked in water. This could cost at least PhP 20,000.


• Power windows’ motor and regulator. A car has four of these and they cost at least PhP 2,000 each.


• Power lock motor and regulator. Again, you multiply this by four in a four-door sedan. They cost about PhP 2,000 each also.


• Headlamps and tail lights. If mud gets into these, they are very difficult to clean. Replacing them would cost about PhP 20,000 per pair.


• Aircon compressor. This would cost about PhP 20,000.


• Fan motors. Though they are designed to get wet, they are not designed to be soaked for long periods. They eventually get corroded. They cost about PhP 4,000 each.


• Brake calipers also get corroded from floods. Replacing all four would cost about PhP 10,000.

All in all, the parts alone would already reach about PhP 140,000. Add the PhP 5,000 detailing cost of cleaning the carpet and seats plus another PhP 5,000 to drain the fuel, oil and other fluids and the cost already runs up to PhP 150,000.

It is important to note that these costs do not yet include body repair, painting or engine overhaul, which could also be required depending on the damage sustained by the car.

Mallari said car owners with Acts of God cover in their insurance policies are assured that their insurer would shoulder the repair.

However, insurance companies require a participation fee or deductible which usually ranges from PhP 5,000 to PhP 10,000. For cars over three years old, insurers would also compute for the depreciation of the parts to be replaced. The depreciation is usually computed at 10 percent per year.