Car Insurance Scams and How to Avoid Them
CAR INSURANCE SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
Car insurance scams cost insurance companies billions of dollars each year. But in the end, everyone has to pay. As a result of scams and staged accidents, auto insurance premiums increase for us all, and innocent people are sometimes tragically injured.
There are well-known tactics that criminals use in their attempts to
defraud auto insurance companies. Being aware of these criminal
schemes may allow you to protect yourself and your family, and can also
help keep car insurance premiums down.
Swoop & Squat
In this particular scam, the perpetrator's car (i.e. the criminal) will
suddenly swoop in next to the victim's car, forcing the victim to
change lanes. Unbeknownst to the victim, the car that he/she now
follows is also involved in the scam. This second criminal car
will abruptly slam on the brakes, forcing the victim to plow into the
car's rear end. This "squat" car will often be packed with
passengers, who will all file fraudulent medical claims. The
medical injuries that are supposed to have been suffered are hard to
detect, like neck injuries and soft tissue damage. Also, the
doctor who evaluates these fake victims may be included in the scam as
well.
The Wave
On a congested street, the criminal car will "wave" the victim car in,
effectively giving them the right-of-way. But when the victim
tries to merge into the lane or make a turn, the scammy car will speed
up, initiating a collision. When the police arrive, the criminal
driver will deny any knowledge of the wave and declare the victim to be
at-fault.
T-Bone
This normally takes place on a desolate street. The criminal car
will wait an intersection for a potential victim to drive up.
Once the criminal sees a car, they speed up and collide into the
victim's car as it passes through the intersection. Bogus
witnesses are on the scene so that when the police arrive, they claim
that the victim ran a red light or a stop sign.
Paper Accident
Criminals, along with shady participants in an auto body shop, will
submit a fake claim for a phantom accident. They will keep the
claim under a $1000, since car insurance companies will rarely
investigate claim for that amount.
Side Swipe
In a double turn lane, a criminal car will wait until the victim's car
drifts into the far lane. At the moment they will hit the gas,
and side swipe the victim's car.
Fake Helpers
This is the name given to scammers who show up at the accident scene
with all sorts of helpful information. They appear like angels
ready to offer assistance during the victim's time of need, complete
with numbers and contact info for auto repair shops. However,
this is the kind of help that you most definitely do not
want. These "runners" or "cappers" (as they are sometimes
referred to) will be working with body shops that inflate prices in
order to rip-off insurance companies.
How To Avoid These Scams
Now that you know what to look out for, here are some tactics of your
own that you can employ to protect yourself and save money on your car
insurance:
Leave plenty of distance between your car and the car in front of
you. This is a defensive driving technique that gives you space
to stop in case they suddenly slam on the brakes, and can save you if a
scammer is trying to force you into an accident.
Never blindly follow a "wave" when merging, changing lanes or making a
turn.
Take pictures at the scene of an accident (keep a disposable camera in
your glove compartment). It is much harder for a criminal to
commit fraud when there is visual evidence present.
Only use auto body shops and doctors that you trust. If contemplating using a new shop or doctor for the first time, seek outrecommendations and reviews. If you suspect you are the victim of a scam, get in touch with theNational Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). They can be reached at1-800-835-6422 or at their website: www.nicb.org. You can save hundreds of dollars a year on car insurance. It's easy to do, and it's free so don't waste anymore time paying more than is necessary for carinsurance. Get a free online auto insurance quote at Cheap Quotes Car Insurance today!
Car Insurance Scams and How to Avoid Them
By: Cheap Quotes
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