Buying or selling a car after a disaster

What you must disclose as a seller

On the flip side, you may find yourself with a vehicle that’s been damaged in a natural disaster. If you choose to sell your vehicle yourself rather than dealing with an insurance company, there are some things you need to know.

Disclosing damage

First, it is possible to sell a vehicle that has “lived” through a flood or hurricane. According to auto regulation site DMV.org, “In most states, you, by law, must disclose whether the vehicle has been: salvaged, damaged in a flood, or rebuilt. In all three scenarios, this information should be stamped or marked on the title either as salvaged or rebuilt. This, at the very least, protects you from any potential down-the-road charges from the buyer that you concealed damage information.