Crash for cash scams increase

Posted:25th August 2010

Category:Van Insurance

Reported in the news is an increase in the number of ‘crash for cash’ scams across the country.

Typically fraudsters stage a crash in a bid to claim thousands of pounds from innocent motorists, the scams usually involve braking suddenly on a clear road or roundabout to make an innocent motorist crash into the back of their vehicle. Underhand techniques are used such as using the handbrake to stop the vehicle so there is no warning for the driver behind.

The fraudsters then go on to claim for damage of the vehicle, recovery fees, as well as personal injury. The Insurance Fraud Bureau estimates approximately 30,000 accidents are staged each year, with each claim averaging £17,000.

As a leading van insurance broker Staveley Head, were not surprised to hear that commercial vehicles are targeted as drivers apparently tend to not care as much if they are not driving their own vehicle.

Sgt Mark Beales, from Greater Manchester Police, warned that criminals target commercial vehicle drivers as well as targeting other victims carefully. He told the BBC:

“What these fraudsters tend to pick on are people who are single mums or elderly people, people who are less likely to cause them any issues.”

On pole position for the UK's top fraud hot spot is Birmingham, followed by Liverpool, Blackburn, Manchester, Leeds and East London.

Approximately £44 is being added to the premium of every driver in the country as these claims are costing insurers about £350 million.

Staveley Head is a leading provider of Van Insurance in the UK.

For more information regarding this article, or to compare Van Insurance quotes, contact Staveley Head on 0845 017 9991.