What information should I give the buyer?
Describe when the flooding occurred, the affected parts of the vehicle and whether an insurer handled a claim. Identify the document you hold and any title brand. Do not describe the car as undamaged because its interior has dried or its engine still starts.
Does flood damage have a separate salvage category?
New York’s salvage examination and title application includes flood damage as a category. The application is part of the salvage process; it is not a routine pickup receipt or a form that every seller must complete. Confirm the route for the document and intended transfer.
What if the insurer has already paid?
Check whether you retained the vehicle under the settlement. An insurance payment can involve transfer of the vehicle and title to the insurer. Resolve that question before offering it to a second buyer.
How should collection be planned?
Tell the purchasing partner about inaccessible parking, locked wheels and any known hazards. Ask for handling instructions instead of attempting a test drive to prove that the car runs. Keep photographs, the claim record and the completed sale documents together.
Official sources.
Sources reviewed September 19, 2026. Use the current instructions for your vehicle and transaction.