Florida: how flooded can a car be before it is totaled? Seeking input.

[Missourian]

The insurance company will definitely total it.

You could always see if they'll let you buy it back for cheap and fix it up, but it'll have a salvage title.

This is what I told them to do.

I'm not down there, so I'll likely have to replace the connectors if the buy it back.

It's a Roadtrek 210 RV.

 

[Missourian]

Last time I had a private carrier pick up and ship a car to me from Forida, I think it cost me a thousand bucks for a 1,200 mile haul.

Luckily I have semis with flatbeds and stepdecks, so I can go get it, but it will still cost about 700 in fuel to get it back to Missouri.

 

[Missourian]

My guess is up to but not over the rocker panels.

It was definitely over the rocker panels. The carpets were soaked.

 

[Missourian]

We'll know more tomorrow if the insurance company is going to total it.

The folks really like it, but, they can't have a vehicle at their age that is likely to let them down in 110 degree heat.

 

[Natural Citizen]

This is what I told them to do.

I'm not down there, so I'll likely have to replace the connectors if the buy it back.

It's a Roadtrek 210 RV.

If you do it that way, depending on the state involved, you should be able to get a ''rebuilt'' title after all repairs have been made and it passes an inspection. But I think it's a different tye of inspection. With the ''rebuilt'' title, you can then legally drive it on muh roads, versus the salvage title you'll initially get if you buy it back.

Rest assured, though, that the state will likely be wagging its dick around in your direction during the entire process. I think they make you document all repairs, keep all receipts and even require vin numbers for any parts that you might take from other cars to make the repairs. Again, it depends on the state involved.

But, yeah, I thought afterward that you probably have a trailer to haul it yourself.

It's a shame about that RV van, though. I looked em up; they're nice.

 

[Natural Citizen]

We'll know more tomorrow if the insurance company is going to total it.

The folks really like it, but, they can't have a vehicle at their age that is likely to let them down in 110 degree heat.

They're definitely gonna total it. Especially given that it's technically an RV van.

 

[Natural Citizen]

It was definitely over the rocker panels. The carpets were soaked.

You're gonna have to drain and flush everything if you go that route. Oil, trans fluid, coolant, brake fluid, differential oil, fuel tank. Flush out the block.

Good winter project, though if you end up deeming it justifiable from a cost perspective of restoring...

 

[Natural Citizen]

Found this...

Titling 'Rebuilt Vehicles - Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Bureau


Additionally...

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES APPLICATION FOR SALVAGE TITLE OR CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

​

 

[para bellum]

Salt water went into places that can never be reached and treated, like inside the chassis rails, inside the doors and rockers- it's going to get cancer in all those places.

It will never be worth more than half of what an unflooded one is worth, so the fact that it's kind of a high-dollar ride doesn't really work in your favor.

It took a big depreciation hit because it will never be a vehicle that wasn't underwater.

If it was worth 80K before, it will be worth 40K after it's rebuilt. The interior wood will be swelled up and discolored, probably delaminated in places, carpeting and upholstery ruined, the wiring harnesses, rebuilding the mechanicals like the trans and rear-end and all the engine electricals, starter, alternator, etc. Exterior paint and trim, new inverters and batteries and so on, ad infinitum.

There is no way to come out on something like that if you ask me- even if you don't factor in your time you will sink a ton of money into a project that can never be worth what it was worth before the restoration.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Bah. Missourian can get it worked out. Shit. I think he might have wittled a throttle body out of some old awning with some modified plasticware once.

 

[para bellum]

Bah. Missourian can get it worked out. Shit. I think he might have wittled a throttle body out of some old awning with some modified plasticware once.

I don't tell people what to do.

His thread says "seeking input". I am providing input, he can ignore it if he wants, I do not care either way.

It has been sitting since it was flooded, it will continue to sit until the insurance company disposes of it at auction. He can buy it back and rebuild it, but In 2-3 years the chassis and the lower body panels will be swiss cheese and all the fasteners will be rusted in place.

Ultimate money pit. Worse than a boat because it wasn't even built with marine grade materials. That plywood interior will not even have waterproof glues, it was never intended to get wet...