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  Geebo 8:09 am on October 9, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: flood cars, floods ( 3 ), hurricane ( 8 ), Scams ( 1,383 ), used car ( 34 )   

  Beware of Flood-Damaged Cars After Hurricanes 

  

  By Greg Collier

  As hurricane season wreaks havoc on communities, the aftermath often brings unexpected consequences for car buyers. Among the hidden dangers are flood-damaged vehicles making their way into the used car market. Once the floodwaters recede, many of these cars are cleaned up and sold at auctions, with some landing in the driveways of unsuspecting buyers across the country. Even if you live far from the storm-affected areas, these cars can end up in your local market, as flood-damaged vehicles are often transported and resold nationwide.

  Flood damage can cause severe problems for vehicles, affecting everything from electronics to mechanical components. Unfortunately, these issues aren’t always immediately apparent. In some cases, flood-damaged vehicles are sold before damage reports surface, leaving buyers with little protection. While popular tools like vehicle history reports are helpful, they are not foolproof. Buyers should understand that flood damage may not always be flagged right away, or even at all.

  To avoid purchasing a car that’s been through a flood, it’s essential to take proactive steps. One of the best ways to protect yourself is by getting an independent mechanical inspection before buying any used vehicle. This extra precaution can help identify hidden damage that a quick cleanup or a vehicle history report might not reveal.

  When shopping online for a vehicle, be especially cautious. Sellers posing as private individuals may actually be dealers flipping cars, making it harder to track the vehicle’s true history. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as they may involve flood-damaged cars.

  Although it’s legal to resell flood-damaged vehicles, they should carry a rebuilt title to indicate that the necessary repairs have been made. However, the hidden damage, such as rust under carpets or water in electrical components, can still lead to long-term issues. Rusted metal, malfunctioning electronics, and waterlogged parts can significantly shorten a car’s lifespan and increase the chances of costly repairs.

  In summary, if you’re in the market for a used car following hurricane season, take the time to research and inspect before committing to a purchase. Flood-damaged vehicles can show up anywhere in the country, so protecting yourself involves diligence, skepticism, and securing an independent inspection to ensure you’re not buying a car with hidden water damage.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 12, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: flood cars, hurricane ( 8 ), hurricane ian ( 3 ), Scams ( 1,383 ), used car ( 34 )   

  Flood damaged cars are about to hit the market 

  

  By Greg Collier

  By some estimates, 300,000 cars were damaged by flooding in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Many of them will end up being a total loss. However, this won’t stop many of these vehicles from ending up on car lots in states that weren’t affected by the storm. Potentially, you could be car shopping in Arizona and end up buying a flood damaged car from Florida without even knowing.

  This is done through a process called title-washing. When a car damaged to the point where the insurance company considers it a loss, the car is issued a salvage title. The problem with salvage titles is the amount of damage required varies by state. For example, one state may require the car’s damage to be 75% of its worth. Meanwhile, another state may require the damage to be 85% of the car’s worth. This way, unscrupulous car dealers could move the car from one state to the other to get a clean title.

  You can protect yourself from this scam. One of the best ways is to get a vehicle history of the car from a service like CARFAX. This could help you pinpoint if a vehicle was in a certain area during a natural disaster.

  A thorough inspection of the vehicle is also recommended to avoid buying a flood car. If the car smells musty, there’s a good chance it’s been caught in a flood. Also, be wary of a car that has an overpowering smell of air freshener or deodorizer, as that could be covering up the musty smell. Look for signs of water damage like mud and waterlines. Look for them in places like the trunk, under the dashboard, and in the glove box. You should also check for inordinate amounts of rust for a vehicle that may not be as old as it looks.

  Lastly, if you suspect someone of trying to sell you a damaged flood vehicle, you can report it to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at 866-720-5721 or at the FTC’s website.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 3, 2019 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: flood cars, Hurricane Dorian ( 3 ), Scams ( 1,383 )   

  This hurricane scam could hit anywhere in the US 

  

  While Hurricane Dorian may not make landfall in the Southeastern United States, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be damage to those areas. With hurricanes also comes the possibility of massive flooding. More people perish in hurricanes from water than they do from wind damage. And as we’ve mentioned before, whenever there is a natural disaster there will be scammers to take advantage of it. Previously we’ve discussed price gouging when it comes to hurricanes but that usually only affects people being directly impacted by the hurricane. There is another scam that can affect anyone in the United States.

  Whenever a hurricane causes widespread flooding a great number of cars and other vehicles will be totaled in the flood. Technically a flood car is not supposed to be sold intact unless it is marked so on the title. This has not stopped scammers from trying to sell these cars to unwitting victims. These vehicles are not just sold in hurricane-prone areas either as they can end up being sold anywhere in the country and years after the hurricane happened. In order to avoid buying one of these vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends avoiding cars being sold that claim to have ‘lost’ titles. You should also check for any kind of flood damage such as excessive rust, must odors, or mold.

  [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoGsF8eUJE4%5D

  The NHTSA also recommends avoiding any robocalls about your vehicle if it was totaled in a flood. Instead, you should immediately call your insurance company to start the process of your insurance claim. If you suspect someone of trying to sell you a damaged flood vehicle you can report it to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at 866-720-5721 or at the FTC’s website.