The Virginian-Pilot
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Brushing aside objections that it would make Virginia a dumping ground for flood-damaged cars, the House of Delegates gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a measure raising the threshold for reporting water damage to vehicles.
Under existing law, if an insurance company has paid a claim of $1,000 or more for water damage, a certificate must be attached to the title disclosing the damage before a vehicle can be sold.
If Del. Matthew Lohr's bill, HB 392, becomes law, that threshold would be raised to $5,000.
In floor debate, Lohr, R-Rockingham County, said the measure was drawn up in consultation with auto dealers, insurance companies and auto recyclers. The $1,000 threshold has been in place since 1966, he said, and if indexed for inflation is equivalent to $6,700 today.
Opposing the bill, Del. Robin Abbott, D-Newport News, said she's fearful of Virginia being a "safe harbor for water-damaged vehicles."
Under questioning from Abbott, Lohr acknowledged that no consumer advocates were consulted by those who drafted the legislation.
An identical bill, SB 539, introduced by Sen. Stephen Newman, R-Lynchburg, has won preliminary approval in the Senate.
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Question
Are you now telling me that VA does allow flood damaged cars to be resold?
Have the insurance industry been lying to us?
I cannot believe this!
Way to go, General Assembly - way to protect your constituents and citizens. The sponsors of these bills must be getting big payments from car sellers. Maybe citizens should get a big bucket of tar, some feathers and a some rails to ride these jokers out of Richmond.
Unbelievable!
CarFax??
Big deal... if they don't have to report it unless it's over 5K, carfax won't do you any good at all. That's the point. They're trying to cover up the fact it was in a flood...... got it? No CarFax...... just trust your used car dealer......
CARFAX
Anyone buying any used car without getting a CarFax report is asking for trouble. Granted, CarFax isn't 100% accurate 100% of the time, but it's very close. I trust it more than I do any car dealer.
How about this...
How about a bill that requires a certificate to be attached for any damage, of any kind, in any amount, resulting in a formal claim, of course with detail so that the buyer might truly " be aware " ???
Compromise?
Can't we do something in between the $1K and $5K? Maybe $2,500? That way, at least, the people struggling would know that if they bought something they'd have a better chance of knowing it's history...
Why can't we compromise on it?
another point of view
Consider the monetary status of those folks that might be looking for a 2-5K dollar vehicle. They're looking for a dependable piece of transportation. Something they can afford. A second vehicle. With this beautiful bill, they'll now be assured an increased chance of buying a vehicle that's been under water, basically ruined. Courtesy of one of your wonderful caring political officials that probably made his speech about watching out for the public's interest. Nice bill doofus. You went to college to learn that skill? You should be ashamed. After that pitiful exercise, you should be run out of town.
another point of view
Consider the monetary status of those folks that might be looking for a 2-5K dollar vehicle. They're looking for a dependable piece of transportation. Something they can afford. A second vehicle. With this beautiful bill, they'll now be assured an increased chance of buying a vehicle that's been under water, basically ruined. Courtesy of one of your wonderful caring political officials that probably made his speech about watching out for the public's interest. Nice bill doofus. You went to college to learn that skill? You should be ashamed. After that pitiful exercise, you should be run out of town.
What's this???
This smacks of a special interest group getting their wallets open for some budding upstart politician. Maybe just a friend that needs a favor and it'll possibly get some kickbacks later. I don't think I've ever had the first thought of increasing the possibility that some jerk could move flooded cars through our cities. Nope, never entered my mind. Now who in &$%# would be thinking like that? How dumb of a bill is this? Keep this clown on your radar. This had better be dumped right along with the autos that have been flooded.
Don't sell VA buyers down the river
$1000 in flood damage is quite a bit in my book. To get $2000-4999 worth of damage would mean a significant amount of engine/electrical damage so I would not want to get a used car that had that much damage without knowing. Flood damaged cars are like a Trojan horse as well. Lots of problems down the road. Part of the reason I have stayed away from used cars because the dealers are just that... dealers.