Early November 2026 brought historic rain to South Florida. Parts of Palm Beach County saw an estimated 17 inches in just six hours, and some areas of Broward County took 13 to 15 inches over four days. Streets turned into canals, and thousands of vehicles sat in standing water.
For most people, a flooded car is a headache and a hassle. For a person who depends on a wheelchair accessible vehicle, it's much more. No accessible vehicle means no doctor visits, no work, no groceries, and no independence.
Just over the past two weeks, Mobility Express has helped two people affected by the flooding replace their vehicles. We know this process well, because we've done it many times.
We've Been Through This Before
Daniel, our wheelchair van sales manager, has personally sold 25 to 30 wheelchair vans to customers replacing a flooded vehicle. He knows how the process works, where it might slow down, and what insurance companies need to see.
What to Expect: Two to Three Weeks
Once they start the process with Mobility Express, on average, it takes two to three weeks for a customer working with their insurance company to buy a replacement wheelchair van. That time covers the claim, the adjuster, the valuation, the settlement, and the van itself.
We can't speed up an insurance company. What we will do is have replacement wheelchair van options lined up and paperwork ready, so you can move the moment your settlement comes through.
Insurance Companies Can Undervalue Wheelchair Vans
This is the biggest problem we see. Many times, the replacement value an insurer offers for a wheelchair van is too low.
A wheelchair van is not a standard used vehicle. The conversion, including the ramp or lift, lowered floor, securement system, and the electronics, adds real cost and value. Standard valuation tools will usually miss that. The result is a settlement that won't replace what was lost.
We've stepped in at this point in the process more than once. We've written up reports of comparable vehicles (comps) from our own inventory and provided them to the insurance company as a reference for proper replacement value. Real vans in our inventory, real prices, side by side with your claim so the adjuster has accurate information to reference
What to Do Right Now
If your wheelchair van was flooded, start here:
- Don't start the van. Running an engine that has taken on water can turn a repairable issue into a total loss.
- Take photos and video. Be sure to take pictures and/or videos showing the water line, the interior, and the conversion equipment before anything is moved.
- Call your insurance company. Call or go online to report the claim and ask how your policy handles flood damage.
- Gather your paperwork. Find the purchase documentation and receipts for your conversion and any other added mobility equipment. This helps prove what the van was worth.
- Call us early. We can start pulling comparable wheelchair vans while your claim is starting to move through the process.
How Mobility Express Helps
We've been family owned since 1985, with locations in New Port Richey, Largo, and Ocala. When your van is lost to flood damage, we help you:
- Find a replacement wheelchair van that fits your needs and your budget
- Put together comparable vehicle reports to help support a fair insurance valuation
- Keep the process moving along so you spend as little time as possible without a vehicle
You shouldn't have to fight for a fair settlement while you're also trying to get around. We'll help with both.
Lost your wheelchair van to flooding? Call us to speak directly to a Mobility Equipment Specialist who can answer any questions regarding replacing a flooded wheelchair van and help set up your order: (800) 918-7433.
