MOTOR INSURANCE FRAUD


Insurance-related frauds - false claims made to insurance companies - take a number of different forms. Commercial vehicles are particularly popular targets.


Common insurance scams include:


• transporting pre-damaged vehicles to a known black spot to create the impression that an accident has occurred, with or without involving other motorists.


• provoking collisions to make false compensation claims for personal injury and hire, recovery and storage of vehicles.


• making claims for passengers who were not present during either a staged or real accident.


Protecting yourself against a staged car accident


Six steps to safety


1. Keep your distance Allowing a greater stopping distance will reduce your risk of running into the back of somebody. Make sure you can see the tarmac below the tyres of the vehicle in front.


2. Beware of tailgaters By forcing you to concentrate on the car behind, the criminals will attempt to take your eyes off the car in front. The car in front is in on the act and will brake suddenly, forcing you to hit the back of it.


3. Always look for brake lights Non-functioning lights can be a ploy to trap unsuspecting motorists. Take extra care in traffic until you are certain that the vehicle in front is slowing quickly and the brake lights are not illuminating; give that


particular vehicle plenty of room. Be aware of cars rapidly pulling out of junctions and then braking in front of you.


4. Take extra care at roundabouts or where there is congestion Hectic roundabouts, especially at rush hour, offer an ideal location for induced accidents. Try not to rush at roundabouts and be wary of what the car in front is doing.


5. Be extra aware if you are a commercial vehicle owner You may be targeted because there is a high probability of the vehicle being fully insured and a company may be less likely to contest a claim.


6. Take extra care when in lanes on motorways or dual carriageways A car may deliberately pull from the outside lane and cause you to swerve into another car.


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