Does a Vehicle Count as Flood-Damaged if the Cabin Isn't Flooded?

[Eugene]

Water not entering the cabin does not qualify as a flood-damaged vehicle. Below are methods to identify flood-damaged vehicles: 1. Smell the interior odor: Check if there's a musty smell inside the car. Flood-damaged vehicles often have a musty odor in hidden areas such as under the floor mats, trunk mats, and beneath the seats, which is difficult to eliminate and usually leaves evidence. Be cautious if you detect a musty smell, and also be wary if the interior smells overly fragrant, as this might be an attempt to mask the musty odor. 2. Inspect hidden parts of the vehicle: Look for rust or signs of screw removal and replacement in concealed areas; pull out the seats to check for rust or sand in the tracks; extend the seatbelt fully to see if there are water stains or dirt marks at the end.