The DMV warns that catastrophic flooding nationwide may lead to flooded vehicles showing up in the used car market.
Following catastrophic flooding across the country, the Department of Motor Vehicles is reminding consumers to take precautions to avoid unintentionally purchasing vehicles damaged by flooding. Severely flooded cars are often declared a total loss by insurance companies because repairing water damage is complicated and costly. Once the vehicle is declared a total loss, a salvage title may be issued. A car buyer can check for salvage titles through “VIN Check”, a service offered by The National Insurance Crime Bureau. A free search of up to five Vehicle Identification Numbers is allowed each day on the N-I-C-B website.
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