MADISON, WI (WTAQ) -Following multiple hurricanes in the past month, the Wisconsin DMV is warning residents to be on the lookout for flood-damaged vehicles.
Dealer and Agent Section Chief Michael Domke says the Badger State dealt with the issue after Hurricane Katrina, saying an insurance industry reaction helped dramatically lessen the problem after Superstorm Sandy.
“They also got kind of blindsided by the hurricanes coming through and how they were going to react to those. They were much better prepared on how they were going to dispose of those vehicles to ensure they weren’t going to hit the market if they weren’t supposed to.”
Domke urges people to buy from dealers, who are legally required to inspect vehicles before making a sale.
“(They have to) look at several components of the vehicle to make sure that they are operating both within the parameters of the law but also safely.”
However, Domke notes that consumers can also do their own homework.
“Get a vehicle history report. In addition, there are a couple of government agencies that provide a link that will allow you to go and do a check on that vehicle to make sure it doesn’t have essentially a flood brand.”
Domke notes a ‘flood brand’ is a step the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators have taken to help consumers after previous disasters.
“A label that is put on a title that identifies it as having some negative event that occurred in its history.”
Following Superstorm Sandy, Domke says flood-damaged vehicles started arriving in the Badger State within a month, since owners wanted to pawn the automobiles off as quickly as possible.
If someone does unknowingly purchase a flood-damaged vehicle from a dealer, Domke encourages people to contact the DMV, as they are typically able to find a resolution to consumer complaints.
