Flooded Cars From Hurricane Sandy May Exceed Katrina; Carfax Offers Free Service To Help Consumers And Dealers

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Nov 06, 2012, 05:52 ET

CENTREVILLE, Va., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- New estimates out today indicate the number of vehicles flooded and destroyed by Hurricane Sandy may greatly exceed the 640,000 units destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. If these predictions are true, Hurricane Sandy would be the single-largest disaster to ever impact the country's vehicles. While our focus is on supporting our many customers, partners and friends, Carfax is warning used car buyers and sellers about Hurricane Sandy flooded cars being cleaned up and resold. To help, Carfax is making the Sandy flood damage information in its database available free-of-charge at flood.carfax.com.

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"Carfax already receives information about flood damaged vehicles from every state impacted by Hurricane Sandy," says Larry Gamache, Carfax communications director. "Information about flood damage is reported to Carfax directly from every state DMV, as well as insurance companies, law enforcement organizations, repair facilities, and many other sources."

Carfax also will be adding an advisory to vehicles last located in a FEMA-declared major disaster area. This alert will encourage consumers and dealers to make sure vehicles are inspected for potential damage to cars flooded during Sandy.

A few tips to avoid flooded cars:
- Check for signs of water damage on the inside of the car, such as water lines in the trunk or engine compartment, rusted bolts underneath seats, condensation on the instrument panel or brittle wires under the dash.
- Ask the seller for a Carfax Vehicle History Report or purchase one at www.carfax.com. Carfax backs the flood damage and other DMV-reported title brand information with its industry-leading Carfax Buyback Guarantee.
- Have a trusted mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection and look for signs of water damage.

Flooded cars from Sandy will soon be hitting the market, so make sure to check flood.carfax.com before buying.

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Larry Gamache
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SOURCE Carfax