Which scenario indicates that flood damage may not necessarily be a total loss?

The scenario where the vehicle is covered under a personal auto policy suggests that flood damage may not necessarily be a total loss because many personal auto insurance policies include coverage for various types of damage, including flooding. If the vehicle has sustained flood damage, the insurance policy can be beneficial for assessing repairs versus a total loss determination. This coverage may allow for the possibility of repairing the vehicle, depending on the extent of the damage and the terms of the policy.

In contrast, the presence of salt water usually indicates more severe damage due to its corrosive nature, which can significantly affect the vehicle's components. Exterior damage only does not provide a complete picture of the vehicle's internal condition — even if the visible exterior looks fine, there might be significant internal damage caused by floodwaters. An insurance company's assessment can give a more authoritative determination about whether damage amounts to a total loss, but if other factors in the vehicle's condition suggest repair could be viable, total loss is not a guaranteed conclusion.