Comfort Insurance Warns Motorists About Smash for Cash Risks

DAGENHAM, England, May 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Comfort Insurance, a leading motorhome insurance provider, warns drivers about an accident insurance scam named 'smash for cash'. This tactic can net criminal gangs thousands of pounds, whilst risking injury or even death to innocent victims.

Comfort Insurance has had a number of cases over the last year which were believed to be a case of smash for cash, although has been almost impossible to prove. Therefore the claims have been put forward as "at fault", resulting in customer's premiums increasing. Comfort Insurance looks at smash for cash and how motorists can protect themselves from the scam.  

This scam involves fraudsters deliberately causing accidents to make as much money as possible. They cause accidents by slamming on their brakes for no obvious reason which causes the driver behind to crash into the car. Money is then made by making false personal injury claims such as whiplash, loss of earnings or submitting fake bills for replacement car hire, vehicle storage, repairs or recovery.

According to Aviva it is becoming one of the most common types of fraud in the UK and that motor injury fraud now accounts for 54% of their total detected claims fraud cost. Over half are from smash for cash claims.

'Flash for cash' is another more recent variation of the scam where the fraudster will flash their headlights, offering their victim a right of way - but then speed up and crash into the side of the vehicle.

Ben Cue, Comfort Insurance's Head of Operations says, "At Comfort Insurance we have had a number of smash for cash cases which have resulted in our customer's premiums increasing because they are almost impossible to prove. But it's not only the cost; it's the time, effort and stress for the victims. Therefore we really do advise that drivers do their best to be vigilant on the roads to try and protect themselves."

Ben advises that ultimately having a camera is the best way to protect drivers from these claims and protect no claims bonuses. Camera systems in vehicles are advanced nowadays and can store a continuous stream of high quality video which captures sound, time & date, speed and records factors such as impact, acceleration and braking. Ben says, "A camera can be installed to the windscreen, but another can be added to the same system to monitor the side or behind the vehicle."

Ben also advises to take photos of any accident. He explains "Take photos of the damage and also photos of the people involved, as scammers will often add on more people when they are claiming for injuries."

Ben also adds, "Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal for you to proceed - make sure they have stopped or don't risk proceeding."

Comfort Insurance is an award-winning specialist motorhome insurance provider, and has been in the industry for over 20 years. They have a long term relationship with Aviva, the UK's largest insurer and their motorhome insurance product is jointly developed with them.

Contact:
Charlotte Davies
Marketing Manager
Charlotte.davies@comfort-insurance.co.uk
http://www.comfort-insurance.co.uk
+44(0)20-8984-0777