It is estimated more than 500,000 vehicles and an unknown number of boats suffered flood damage during the 2005 hurricane season.

“Consumers should always be careful when making a major purchase like a car or boat and with this high number of flood-damaged vehicles and boats potentially on the market consumers need to be especially careful,” said Charles Willey, Georgia Department of Revenue spokesperson. “They need to thoroughly investigate the history of any vehicle or boat new or used before they make a purchase.”

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has compiled a searchable database gathered from data provided by insurance companies, salvage yards, and state and local authorities of vehicles and watercraft affected by the hurricanes. Individuals can search the database by entering a vehicle’s identification number or a boat’s hull identification number. The NICB Internet address is www.nicb.org.

“The database does not contain every vehicle or boat damaged by the hurricanes,” Willey cautioned. “But it does provide a starting point for vehicle buyers to begin their investigation.”

Other protective measures consumers can take include having the car inspected by a certified mechanic and searching the vehicle’s history on the Internet at www.carfax.com or www.autocheck.com.

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