ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Heavy rains caused flooded roads across Tampa Bay this week, and with them came a lot of stalled and stranded cars.

Experts say this can have serious impacts for both current owners and future buyers. 

What You Need To Know

  • Stalled cars could be seen on flooded roads around Tampa Bay this weekend following heavy rains

  • The owner of a Lakeland auto shop says that people buying used cars should check vehicles carefully for possible water damage since Florida's Lemon Law doesn't cover used cars

  • Attorney Charles Gallagher says many drivers may not realize their car insurance policy doesn't cover flood damage

  • Gallagher suggests owners check to see if they have comprehensive coverage

Richard Bender, owner of Joyce Automotive & Towing in Lakeland, says that when a person wants to learn about a car's history, they've got to look below the surface — especially when it comes to flooding.

"Water can ruin anything and everything when it comes to the upholstery, when it comes to electrical components," Bender said.

He said anyone in the market for a used car should look for signs of water damage before finalizing a purchase.

"You can see the dirt inside that tail pipe," Bender said, referring to a flooded car that was brought into his shop. "The only way you're going to be able to see that is if you get underneath it. Like, on this vehicle, we got the leaves and everything up inside the undercarriage."

Bender suggested asking a trusted mechanic to put a car being considering for purchase on a rack to check for damage under the vehicle, as well as examining areas that would normally be covered.

"I would start looking under floor mats. I would look behind seat belts. I would look and see if you can pull the seats down in the back," Bender said. "I would actually open up the air filter and see if there's any moisture underneath the air filter. Because many times the person who's trying to sell a damaged vehicle doesn't go into those kind of areas for the detail."

Used cars aren't covered under Florida's Lemon Law, so this is one way for buyers to protect their pocketbooks — but not the only way.

When it comes to insurance, attorney Charles Gallagher, the principal attorney at Gallagher & Associates Law Firm, said many people might not realize their policies don't cover flooding. Even for those that do, he said there's a difference between a car that was flooded while parked and one that was driven through waterlogged streets. 

"You may have a carrier asking questions," Gallagher said. "You know, 'Why did you do that? Was it, you know, urgent, or was there a purpose of that? How bad was it?' Whether they would hang their hat on a denial for that or not, don't know — but you don't want to give them those options."

Gallagher said with severe damage, the entire value of the car could be lost, and if there's a loan, those bills keep coming.

"You can be stuck with that car loan even though you have a destroyed car, a car that's totaled out, and you're not getting coverage on that under your policy," he said.

He recommended people double check what their policies cover, and to avoid driving through flood waters whenever possible.