Experian Automotive: More Than 9 Million Vehicles Registered In Counties Affected By Superstorm Sandy

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Experian Automotive today announced that there are more than 9 million vehicles in the areas most significantly impacted by Superstorm Sandy. While the total number of vehicles damaged by the storm is still unknown, preliminary reports indicate that the number will be fewer than that of past hurricanes such as Katrina, Rita and Irene.

Additional research using Experian Automotive's AutoCheck^® database has shown that more than 1.6 million cars and trucks throughout the United States were designated as damaged by accidents or severe weather, including hurricanes, tornadoes or flooding, in the first half of 2012. Of those, more than 425,000 — nearly 27 percent — lost their damage designation, or brand, when they were retitled as clean in another state.

"In the wake of any natural disaster, consumers need to be acutely aware that there will be damaged vehicles out there that will be cleaned up and sold to unsuspecting buyers," said Scott Waldron, president of Experian Automotive. "With such a large number of title-washed vehicles on the road today, consumers need to arm themselves with as much information as possible when shopping for a used vehicle. An AutoCheck vehicle history report includes past title brands and designations of prior damage, providing used vehicle shoppers with the peace of mind that the vehicle they are buying is reliable and, most importantly, safe."

Superstorm Sandy has increased the potential for more title-washed vehicles to find their way into the market. Because AutoCheck^® vehicle history reports keep a list of each reported history event on a vehicle, items such as storm-related title brands stay on the vehicle's history report even though the brand may be lost when the vehicle is retitled in a new state. AutoCheck reports also now include a special designation showing whether a vehicle was registered in a county identified as a federal disaster area.

To help further protect consumers against purchasing a potentially damaged vehicle, Experian Automotive is launching a free online tool called Storm Scan, which will identify if a vehicle has suffered any major damage events possibly caused from the storm, or whether the vehicle has been titled/registered within the affected area in the past 12 months. For more information, visit www.AutoCheck.com/stormscan.

Additionally, Experian Automotive is offering AutoCheck vehicle history reports at a 15 percent discount for all consumers in the counties recently declared federal disaster areas. To receive the discounted AutoCheck report, enter the coupon code SANDY at checkout. Offer valid on single reports and unlimited subscriptions at www.AutoCheck.com through Nov. 30, 2012.

About Experian Automotive
Experian Automotive provides information services and market intelligence that enables results-driven professionals to gain the fullest possible understanding of the market, the vehicles and the people who buy them. Its North American Vehicle Database^SM houses data on nearly 700 million vehicles and, when combined with Experian's credit, consumer and business information, provides an integrated perspective into the automotive marketplace. Experian Automotive's AutoCheck^® vehicle history reports provide dealers and consumers with in-depth information, allowing them to confidently understand, compare and select the right vehicles. For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite of services, visit our Website at www.ExperianAutomotive.com.

About Experian
Experian^® is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2012, was $4.5 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 44 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and São Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Contact:
Roslyn Whitehurst
Experian Public Relations
1 714 830 5578
[email protected]
Twitter: @RozWhitehurst

SOURCE Experian Automotive