Auto Insurance Fraud

Automobile fraud is on the rise in Florida, It has become a very serious problem. It has cost insurance companies millions of dollars per year. Why do you care? We  pay for these fraudulent claims, because the insurance rates are raised to compensate the company’s loss.

Fraud occurs when someone knowingly lies to obtain some benefit or advantage to which they are not otherwise entitled. Insurance fraud can be faking or magnifying injuries from an accident, faking car theft, or staging an accident. It is estimated that one claim in ten, under Florida’s no-fault insurance system is magnified or over billed.

Statistics show  that there are distinct types of accidents used in fraud cases. These accidents are hard to prove that they are not the victim’s fault. One Example of this is called the “T-bone.” This is where a car waits for another car to cross in front when there are no witnesses. They then ram the car, claiming the other car ran a red light.

There is the “Side Swipe” where someone will intentionally wait for another driver to drift into their lane, and then they speed up, hitting the car, stating that it was the victim’s fault because he traveled into their lane and caused the accident.

The third example is called the Swoop and Squat, where the driver in front has planned maneuvers to cause a rear collision by the car behind him.

If you are involved in an accident that seems to you to be staged, be sure to report it to the proper authorities. Automobile insurance fraud is on the rise in Florida.

Remember to be alert while behind the wheel of an automobile, because you might become a victim of insurance fraud.