Hurricane Tips For Dealers and EV Owners, Unexpected Kia Kindness, Uninsurable Cybertrucks

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

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Welcome to Tuesday, the most productive day of the week! Today we’re talking about the anticipation that Florida is facing with Hurricane Milton and how dealers and EV owners can be prepared. Plus, we see some unexpected kindness between Kia dealers and learn how Cybertruck owners are having their insurance policies canceled.

• As Hurricane Milton looms, Florida dealerships across Tampa Bay and the Gulf Coast prepare for impact. The storm, expected to hit Category 3 by landfall, still poses significant threats.
  • Dealers like the Morgan Auto Group and Potamkin Automotive are closing stores early and initiating staff safety protocols and storm preparation.
  • CEO Teddy Morse of Ed Morse Automotive Group is preparing for significant damage from Hurricane Milton, expecting it to be severe, saying “This isn't a scenario where you say, ‘Wow, I hope everything's OK.’ It's not going to be OK.”
  • Morse emphasized ensuring every eligible vehicle is floorplanned, because “if they’re not on the floorplan, they’re not insured.”
• Meanwhile, after Hurricane Helene destroyed 672 of Ken Ganley's Kia inventory, Raul Gomila, GM of City Kia in Orlando stepped up, selling 100 new and 25 pre-owned vehicles to assist.
  • Gomila, who survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992, understands the devastation and felt compelled to help, despite not knowing Ganley personally.
  • "That kind of kindness just doesn't happen," Ganley said. "It just doesn't exist. I mean, I'm blown away.”
  • "It's the right thing to do when a store is in need," Gomila said. "Sometimes even a little help goes a long way."
• For EV owners, hurricanes pose a unique set of uncertainties to navigate. Whether they stay or evacuate, here’s some tips to protect vehicles and keep options open.
  • Avoid parking EVs in areas prone to flooding or standing water, as saltwater can damage batteries.
  • Relocate EVs to higher ground and shelter, with many counties offering free public garage access.

• Cybertruck owners have faced multiple challenges in 2024, including cleaning their new trucks, rusting issues, and five recalls. Now, insurance complications are adding to their woes as some drivers report policy cancellations.
  • Geico confirmed some Cybertruck owners received non-renewal notices due to the vehicle not meeting underwriting guidelines.
  • Geico cited the Cybertruck's heavy weight and challenges with repair part availability as reasons for some policy cancellations.
  • Issues seem concentrated in New York and Kansas, though other regions report smoother experiences.
  • Geico is seemingly still willing to insure the vehicles under commercial plans, saying “Some customers may have received notices stating that Private Passenger Automobile insurance would not be renewed for this vehicle. However, policies for this vehicle have always been available through our commercial insurance division.”

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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