A recent study by Carfax shows that waves of flood damaged carsare appearing across the country.

According to the results, the number of waterlogged wrecksrevealed by Carfax vehicle history reports has doubled nationwideover the last five years. Furthermore, massive increases haveoccurred in numerous states (see Flood Damage Growth, ByState).

According to Carfax, water can fatally damage a car's mostimportant features, such as the electrical and safety systems. Thiscan cause airbags and antilock brakes to malfunction, effectivelyturning the car into a ticking time bomb. The issue has gainedtraction in the public due to recent above-average hurricaneseason, and has led to governmental action.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, an unprecedented effortwas made by the auto industry to identify, process and report thesevehicles, as well as warn consumers about the dangers of floodedcars,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax, in arelease. “Our data shows a clear pattern of growth for those stateswithin close proximity to the Gulf Coast or that have largepopulations and sprawling urban areas. Flooded cars are indeed onthe move and consumers everywhere are at risk.”

Mississippi Senator Trent Lott reintroduced a bill last monththat aims to make identifying these flooded cars easier forconsumers. The bill, “Consumer Access to Total Loss Vehicle DataAct,” requires insurance companies to commercially discloseinformation pertaining to total loss vehicles, through varioussources including online auto services like Carfax. Information tobe included would consist of the reason for the total loss (flood,collision, stolen, etc.), the date of total loss, the odometerreading on that date, and whether or not the airbag deployed.

“The insurance industry should make this information availableto protect the consumers, and we will be working to enact thatprotection in the 110th Congress,” said Lott, in a release on hisweb site. “Buyers are entitled to truthful titles and completeinformation about a vehicle's history.”

Senator Lott first introduced his bill last year, but no actionwas taken before Congress adjourned.