Crash For Cash Scams

The number of fraudulent insurance claims in the UK is on the rise. Many motorists now use deliberate tactics to try and make unwitting drivers crash into them, so that they can make a fraudulent claim. One of the most popular scams on the roads today is known as Crash for Cash. The Insurance Fraud Bureau found that, in 2013, £392 million (or 1 in 7 of all injury claims) had been linked to Crash for Cash claims.

How it works

There are a variety of different scenarios that have been reported:

The motorist in question appears to accelerate after, for example, a set of traffic lights, but then brakes suddenly, forcing other drivers to crash into them.
Another common occurence includes the potential claimants braking suddenly at a pedestrian crossing, even if the crossing is deserted
Even sneakier drivers will disconnect the brake lights, so the motorist behind either won't know the driver is braking, or won't have enough time to react to it.
As well as Crash for Cash, there is another scam known as Flash for Cash. At a busy junction, a driver may flash another to let them out in front, but will then speed up to crash into them. This will put the driver who pulled out at blame, as the fraudsters will claim this driver pulled out without looking.

Scary stuff. What's worse is that certain kinds of drivers are targeted. If you're a parent travelling with children, have a vehicle with private plates, are an older driver or have a well-looked after car, you are more likely to be targeted. Even if you think you may not be targeted by one of these fraudulent insurance claims, it is essential that you stay aware on the road.

How do I avoid a Crash for Cash scam?

The AA provide useful advice for protecting yourself against Crash for Cash scams. They suggest the following:

Stay alert on the road at all times
Allow for an adequate amount of room between you and the vehicle in front, ensuring that you have enough time to react in case the other driver brakes suddenly
Don't be too hasty to pull out of a junction if another driver flashes - use your own judgement to check that it is safe to do so
Never assume that if a motorist indicates, they will definitely turn. Allow for plenty of time to ensure that you know in which direction they intend to drive
If you notice a motorist driving erratically, give them plenty of room and be very aware of their movements

Still worried? PowerBulbs can help!

Here at PB HQ we know all too well that you can be the safest driver on the road and still fall foul of an insurance scam. We think that it's a good idea to invest in some extra technology to help keep you even safer on the road.

A dashcam is the best way to protect yourself. These handy automotive driving recorders film the road ahead as you drive, capturing any important events that could help in an insurance claim. Most dashcams operate automatically, and can be simply and discreetly fixed to your windscreen to ensure there are no distractions whilst you drive.

It's also important to make sure that your car bulbs are up to scratch. Choosing to upgrade your headlight bulbs can give you extra light on the road in comparison to a standard bulb. If you're after a longer beam length and a brighter light, we would recommend either the OSRAM Night Breaker Unlimited or the Philips X-treme Vision +130. Find out more about our Maximum Performance ranges for both halogen and Xenon HID.