One moment the steering feels normal. The next it goes light in your hands, the engine revs a little, and the car seems to float. That is hydroplaning, and it can happen on an ordinary commute in a summer downpour just as easily as on a gray spring afternoon. Knowing why it happens and what to do in that first second makes a real difference.
At a Glance
- Hydroplaning happens when your tires cannot push water aside fast enough and ride up on a film of water.
- If it happens, ease off the gas, avoid hard braking and steer gently where you want to go.
- Speed, worn tread, low tire pressure and standing water are the biggest risk factors.
- Damage to your own car from a hydroplaning crash is usually a collision claim, if you carry that coverage.
What Is Actually Happening Under the Car
Each tire touches the road through a patch about the size of your hand. The grooves in the tread act like channels, squeezing water out from under that patch so rubber can grip pavement. As long as the tread can move water away faster than it arrives, you keep traction.
When there is too much water, or the car is going too fast, or the tread is too shallow, water builds up in front of the tire faster than it can escape. The tire lifts onto a thin layer of water, and friction with the road drops sharply in an instant. Steering, braking and acceleration all become far less effective until the tire touches down again.
Why the start of a storm is the worst part
Roads collect oil, rubber dust and grime during dry weather. When rain first falls, it lifts that residue to the surface and creates a slick mix before the rain has a chance to rinse it away. That is why the opening minutes of a storm, especially after a long dry spell, can be particularly treacherous. Heavy rain also overwhelms storm drains, leaving puddles and sheets of water where you might not expect them.
If Your Car Starts to Hydroplane
Your instincts will tell you to stomp the brake and yank the wheel. Both tend to make things worse. Practice the right response in your head so it comes naturally:
- Lift off the accelerator. Let the car slow on its own. Do not slam on the brakes.
- Hold the wheel steady. Keep a firm grip and look where you want the car to go.
- Make small steering corrections. If the rear slides, steer gently in the direction it is sliding and straighten out as the car does. Big inputs can cause a spin once the tires grip again.
- Brake lightly if needed. With anti-lock brakes, press steadily and let the system work. Without them, use gentle pumping pressure.
- Regroup. Once you feel the tires bite, slow down further. If you are shaken, pull over somewhere safe and take a minute.
Good to Know
Most hydroplaning episodes last only a moment. Staying calm and making smooth, small movements gives the tires the best chance to reconnect without sending the car sideways.
How to Keep It From Happening
On the road
- Slow down. Speed is the single biggest factor you control. The faster you go, the less time the tread has to clear water.
- Skip cruise control in the rain. It can keep the wheels driving when you want them coasting, and it slows your reaction.
- Follow the tracks. The car ahead has already pushed some water out of the way. Driving in its wheel paths, at a safe distance, helps.
- Steer around standing water when you can do so safely, and avoid the outer edges of the lane where water collects.
- Be smooth. Brake, accelerate and turn gradually, especially on curves, ramps and at intersections where oil tends to pool.
In the driveway
- Check tire pressure monthly using the figure on the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual.
- Look at tread depth. Tires worn to 2/32 of an inch are due for replacement, and many experts suggest replacing them sooner for wet-weather driving.
- Have brakes inspected on a regular schedule, since stopping distances grow on wet pavement.
- Replace streaky wipers and consider a water-repellent glass treatment.
- Make sure headlights and the defroster work so you can see and be seen.
- Keep an emergency kit with jumper cables, a flashlight and basic supplies in the trunk.
How Insurance Typically Handles a Hydroplaning Crash
Insurers generally treat a hydroplaning accident like any other single-vehicle or multi-vehicle crash. Which part of your policy responds depends on what was damaged.
| What was damaged | Coverage that usually applies |
|---|---|
| Your own car hitting a guardrail, ditch, pole or another vehicle | Collision coverage, after your deductible |
| Another driver’s car or someone else’s property | Property damage liability, if you are found at fault |
| Injuries to other people | Bodily injury liability, if you are found at fault |
| Injuries to you and your passengers | Medical payments or personal injury protection, depending on your state and policy |
Comprehensive coverage handles things like hail, flooding, theft and animal strikes. It generally does not pay for a crash caused by losing traction on a wet road. If you drive an older car without collision coverage, damage to your own vehicle from a hydroplaning crash may not be covered at all, which is worth weighing when you review your policy.
Insurance Angle
Rain does not automatically excuse a crash. Drivers are expected to adjust their speed to the conditions, so fault is decided the same way it would be on a dry day. Rules vary by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what speed can a car hydroplane?
There is no single number. It depends on water depth, tire tread, tire pressure and vehicle weight. Hydroplaning can happen at moderate speeds when water is deep or tires are worn.
Do all-wheel-drive cars hydroplane less?
All-wheel drive helps with acceleration but does not keep tires from riding up on water. Tread depth and speed matter much more.
Will a hydroplaning accident raise my rates?
If you are found at fault, it may. How an at-fault claim affects your premium depends on your insurer, your driving record and your state.
Is hydroplaning ever considered a no-fault accident?
Usually not by itself. Insurers often expect drivers to account for wet roads, though every claim is reviewed on its own facts.
Ready for the Next Rainy Commute?
If you are not sure whether you carry collision coverage or what your deductible is, Callicott Insurance Agency can review your auto policy with you before the next storm rolls in.
This article is for general information only. Coverage varies by insurer, policy and state; review your own policy or talk with a licensed agent about your situation.