A rise in cash for crash fraud has been identified as the cause of the upward trend in car insurance premiums. The Insurance Fraud Bureau or IFB (a much less sexy anagram of FBI)  has estimated that around 30,000 accidents were deliberately staged in the UK last year, scams that cost the insurance industry about £350m in 2009, adding around £50 to the premium of every driver.
 
So with this fraud on the rise and heading south (its very popular in Birmingham and the North West at the moment), here’s our quick guide in what to look out for and what do if you suspect you’ve been targeted
 
What to look for
 
1) The first thing you might notice is the apparent lack of real cause for the accident. A low speed collision in an empty car park? Alarm bells should ring.

2) Is the car packed with people? If it is that should be a warning sign. They are likely to be a bunch of the driver’s mates getting ready to put in claims for whiplash injuries.

3) Has the driver already prepared his details, ready in case of an accident? As silly as it sounds, this has been know to happen.

4) Finally, has anything odd happened leading up to the incident? Has the car been in your rear view mirror for a while? Have you just had a similar near miss?
 
So, if you do suspect you’ve been a victim of cash for crash, here’s what to do
 
1) Nothing. At least don’t make a scene at the scene. The likelihood is that you’ve been targeted because you look like the sort of person who won’t kick up a stink, so don’t. We are dealing with professional criminals here remember

2) Take some photos of the car, as many as you can and try to get a good look and a description of the driver.

3) Count the occupants of the car, get a good look at them.

4) Find an independent witness

5) Tell your insurer as soon as you can, let them know your suspicions and contact the police.

6) Forward your JS300 video evidence to your insurer.......... You did buy one didnt you?

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