Staged Accident Fraud

With the continued increase in "staged accidents" and insurance companies actively looking at ways to reduce claim payouts Martin Smith, technical claims manager at Aviva, has offered some advice to drivers involved in vehicle accidents to ensure that they give themselves best opportunity to achieve a successful claim and avoid counter claims. The important thing to remember is to collect as much information about the incident as possible.

There is a legal requirement to exchange names and addresses but insurers would like those involved to get names and addresses of any passengers and witnesses to the incident. Insurers will also ask for details of any injuries sustained during the accident, especially important in situations where false claims are being made following a staged accident.

Make a note of the make, model and registration of all vehicles involved and also note the registration of any vehicles that were at the scene but drove off without leaving their details in case the police want to interview them, they may also have been part of the scam set up to stage an accident.

You should also note all the damage caused by the accident to all vehicles involved and note any damage that may not have been caused by the accident already on the vehicle. Draw sketches of the incident and take photos, ideally with a disposable camera whose pictures cannot be doctored, failing that a mobile phone or digital camera could be used.

By collecting as much information as possible there is a chance that you will be paid out quicker and less of a fight if you have lots of supporting evidence. Smith also warned drivers not to enter into any sort of dialogue with other parties involved, other than to collect information, do not discuss who was to blame and never admit liability, certainly not in front of a witness.

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