After floods strike communities, most people rally and support each other. However, an unscrupulous few may seek to profit.
Flood-damaged vehicles are frequently sent to auction or junkyards, where parts can be salvaged. Some people/businesses buy flood-damaged vehicles, dry them out, repair them, and then resell them. All of this can be done legally in most states. However, scammers essentially try to hide the damage, have no intention of properly repairing the cars, and sell them without noting their watery history.
Corroded electrical components, engine parts, and brakes along with mold and mildew place unsuspecting purchasers in jeopardy — safety-wise, health-wise, and financially.
Vehicle title rules vary from state to state. Generally, once a car is declared totaled by an insurance agency, it’s supposed to get a new “salvage” title. The new title is typically plainly marked with the word “salvage” or “flood,” indicating its history (in some states, a small letter or number code is used). Afterward, there are state regulations to follow to legally resell the vehicle. However, some states are lax in the process and may issue a “clean” title, enabling scammers to sell a car without any indication of its past.
The following can be helpful for used-car purchasers:
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Check carfax.com to see if water damage is indicated (you’ll need the vehicle identification number).
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Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s VINCheck®: nicb.org/vincheck.
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Have a trusted auto repair technician thoroughly inspect your potential used-car purchase before offering any payment.
Flood-damaged vehicles might be sold far from where they incurred their damage; it may be many months after the fact, too.
If you are harmed by a defective product, contact our firm to attain fair compensation for your injuries.
