Flooding is an event can cause serious damage to not just homes, but to cars as well. When purchasing a used car, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t buy a car that has been previously damaged by flooding. We have found a few tips that will show you how to avoid buying a flood damaged car:
Souce: iStock.com/XiXinXang
There are some dishonest dealers out there who will purchase flood damaged cars for cheap and then clean them up, only to sell them on to buyers without disclosing the fact that the vehicles they just bought were damaged by flooding. Fortunately, there is an online service called VIN Check that was created by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. VIN Check provides users with a free database that allows you to search for a car using its vehicle identification number (VIN). The database contains information about any claims that were made for flood damage for the car you have looked up.
Additionally, you should look for signs of flood damage in your car by searching for signs of mildew, rust and water stains. Also check the upholstery and carpeting for moisture or dampness. Even a moldy odor can be a sign of previous flood damage. You should also have a certified mechanic check for flood damage.
We hope these tips show you how to avoid buying a flood damaged car this year. For more information on buying car insurance, be sure to contact out team at CCW Insurance today.
