Kentucky Attorney General, Greg Stumbo has reason to believe that consumers may encounter flood damaged vehicles from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on used car lots in his state.  In a recent article posted on the website of Kentucky’s Office of the  Attorney General , Stumbo issued the following warning: “Kentucky consumers and businesses should be careful not to be scammed by unscrupulous auto dealers and auto auctions selling flood-damaged cars”

While the State of Kentucky requires titles of flood cars to be branded as “water damaged” or “salvaged,” Stumbo believes that crooked dealers may try to hide histories of damaged autos by washing  titles through other states that don't require branding.  This is a popular tactic to eliminate an adverse vehicle history and obtain fresh documentation. 

The Attorney General’s article lists a dozen things Kentuckians should check when considering the purchase of a used car.  In addition to checking for the obvious - rusted hardware, caked mud and musty smells in places such as the interior and trunk compartment where these should not be found - Stumbo suggested that consumers could best protect themselves by making purchases only from reputable dealers.

Taking it a step further, Attorney General Stumbo reminded citizens that Kentucky laws require dealers to provide prospective buyers with the name and contact information of the vehicle’s previous consumer owner, if applicable.  After obtaining this information, buyers are urged to make every effort to contact these individuals to inquire about previous damage, vehicle performance, the quality of the car and any other issues that might concern them.  Stumbo also urges buyers to search the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles for any adverse title history and to have vehicles inspected before laying down the cash.

Find additional information in the links below:

Did Someone Say Flood Car?
Erica Eversman / http://www.vehicleinfo.com

The Purpose Behind Salvage Title Laws
Erica Eversman / http://www.vehicleinfo.com

Beware of Salvage Parts From Hurricane Katrina Flood Cars
David Williams / Safe Collision Repairs

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About Safe Collision Repairs

For more than ten years, David Williams of Wheelersburg, Ohio's Safe Collision Repairs has worked with consumers and attorneys in the tri-states of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia to expose unsafe auto repairs and maximize recovery on auto insurance claims. Some of the company's services include Post-Repair Inspections, Prepurchase Inspections, Auto Damage Assessments, Lemon Law Investigations, Expert Court Testimony and Diminished Value Calculations using an advanced version of Network Information Communication's WreckCheck program.

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The content expressed on this website and in the article above represents the opinions of David A. Williams. Williams is neither an attorney nor public insurance adjuster, but is an expert, consultant, and writer specializing in the field of automotive collision repair and valuations. The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for legal or insurance advice. Because collision repair is a continually evolving science, any text, materials or links found herein are provided without claim or guarantee to their accuracy or completeness.