Anyone who wants to avoid becoming entangled in fraudulent auto accident cases should make an effort to learn more about what constitutes auto insurance fraud. This type of fraud is considered to be white-collar fraud, and the scam artists who perpetrate it bilk auto insurance holders to the tune of more than 14 billion dollars each year. This adds approximately $200 to $300 annually to each person’s insurance premium. If you become a victim of this type of fraud, your insurance premiums may go up, or your policy may even be cancelled.
Types of Auto Insurance Fraud
Several types of auto insurance fraud exist today in America. These range from as simple as a parent claiming to be the primary driver of a teen’s car in order to avoid a higher premium, all the way to a staged fraud where the scammer pulls quickly and suddenly in front of another driver, forcing this driver to hit them. This is an especially popular form of fraud, for both the police and most insurance companies usually assume that the vehicle that crashed into the scammer’s car is at fault.
Other scam artists will stage an accident involving an innocent victim with the scammer’s car, which has already sustained damage elsewhere. They then claim that this prior damage occurred during the crash with the unsuspecting victim. The scammer will also hit the victim’s insurance company with a big, fraudulent medical claim. Doctors, ambulance attendants, and unscrupulous attorneys will often pair up with scammers to help them commit their fraud, often getting a cut of the insurance money in return.
What You Can Do
To circumvent becoming a victim of fraud, there are a number of actions you can take. The most important action is perhaps the most obvious, and that is to be a defensive driver at all times. Be on the alert if another vehicle should quickly pull in front of you, causing you to inadvertently tailgate closely behind them. This could set the stage for a fraudulent accident.
Always trust your instincts while driving. If you should notice a suspicious character following you, the person may be up to no good. Pull into a safe spot like a gas station, police or fire station. If a crash does take place, take photos of both cars, and get the identifying and contact information for each person in the other car. Make every attempt to get a police report, which could make it more difficult for the scammer to claim excess damage on his or her own vehicle.
Getting Legal Assistance
If you feel you have been a victim of fraud in an auto accident case, your best bet is to seek legal assistance from an attorney who is familiar with this type of case. These professionals can help you to unravel all of the ins and outs of your case.
