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Are you aware of the number of ‘crash for cash’ fraudsters in the UK? The number may have seen a slight reduction as the Insurance Fraud Bureau are implementing additional measures and keeping a close eye on repeat offenders.

Many completely innocent people are undoubtedly completely unaware that there are even such people in existence and it is not until they become a ‘crash for cash’ statistic that it is brought very sharply to their attention.

Typically these insurance fraudsters will target older drivers or women drivers who are less likely to put up any resistance when involved in an accident. This is not being sexist or ageist, it is merely pointing out that these two groups of people are the most likely to be affected.

The fraudsters will nearly always be driving an older car and they do not work alone as claims for injuries to passengers makes the scam more lucrative. One of the biggest ploys used is at roundabouts where the driver will gesture for the innocent person to move forward and then deliberately drive into them, of course denying they made any type of indication whatsoever. Furthermore they will also have the passengers to back up their story.

With the potential of being awarded thousands of pounds in personal injury claims these fraudsters are oblivious to the affect such accidents can have on innocent people’s lives and health. The gangs will have the most basic insurance, which is third party only in the UK, and will try and claim as much as they possibly can out of one ‘accident’ from both their own and the third parties insurance.

Some will arguably say that it has become a very sad state of affairs with people giving no consideration or remorse for their actions. Insurance for vehicles is expensive enough for most people and yet all the while these incidents carry on, combined with the number of people who fail to have any insurance at all the cost of premiums is far more likely to continue to rise rather than fall.

It would be wise to be very aware of the tactics used and above make sure you comply with the terms and conditions of your insurance policy by never admitting liability, which is one of the main accusations which will be implied by the fraudsters.

Always phone the police, even for the most minor of shunts and look for independent witnesses to substantiate your side of the story, as this will often put the fraudsters in a turmoil, particularly if they are know to the police and Insurance Fraud Bureau. Never offer to pay cash for any car repairs, such as replacement bumpers or headlights, to the other persons vehicle as a way of protecting your no claims bonuses, because once you have made the offer it means you are accepting liability!

Comply with the requirements of reporting accidents and incidents which are laid out in the schedule of your motor insurance policy, and remember above anything else not to accept liability, for any type of accident you are involved with.Swinton offer great deals on all types of Motor Insurance

The current economic climate is causing fraudsters and conmen alike to innovate when it comes to ripping off innocent people, at least, according to US newspaper The Palm Beach Post.

Randy Diamond reports that the elderly among us are now the most likely to become targets due to their eagerness to make some savings back in this time of economic crisis, whilst others out there are eager to exploit that. Stranger-orientated life indemnity is a means by which many OAPs seem to be losing their money, so this article aims to set out exactly what is meant by this phrase; and the risks involved.

In simple terms ‘Stranger-Orientated Life Insurance’ refers to those individuals who wish to sell their life indemnity policy for an immediate cash sum. The new owner is then responsible for paying the remaining premiums, but, of course, receives the payout once the previous owner dies. Stranger-orientated life insurance policies are now increasingly being sold solely for the cash benefit, whereas previously it would have more likely been a consideration whenever the owner, for example, suddenly learned that they had a life-threatening illness.

In Florida, this has caused the insurance industry to take serious action against those who are becoming involved in stranger-orientated life insurance deals with their reasoning being that it is a violation to do so. However, it appears that the risk of fraud on applications and the direct conning of innocent individuals that is the most serious problem currently.

One example where fraud occurs a great deal is when an insurance agent offers a significant amount of money but will then modify the policy at a later date in order to receive a bigger payout. When this is described by the insurance payer, they are then liable to sue and it is the archetype policyholder who is held initially accountable; most tenably resulting in a complex, expensive, and stressful stint at the hands of the courts.

Gradually, it seems that knowledge of the risks in stranger-orientated life indemnity deals is becoming an adept way of lessening the temptation for OAPs to consider this as a method to make money.

However, if one is still tempted, The Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration highlights some further basic considerations: such as whether you are comfortable with being asked about your health frequently after your policy is sold on, or what your beneficiaries might think about the consequences.Uchenna Ani-Okoye is an internet marketing advisor For further information on life insurance policies as well as product recommendations and services, I suggest you check out: Cheap Insurance Life Policy

‘Crash for cash’ is the term given to UK drivers who deliberately stage an accident which involves innocent motorists being forced to crash into vehicles in order for them to make money from car insurance companies.

Despite the recent reported drops in the numbers of these types of staged accidents, drivers are advised to be prepared and not fall into the trap of being involved by taking extra care and appropriate evasive action if possible.

* Remembering the rules of the highway code are important in terms of the distances left between vehicles. Many fraudsters work in teams which involve more than one vehicle, often the car behind is in on the scam and will try and bump your car into the one in front of you, whilst the car in front may deliberately slam on their brakes so that you crash into them.

* Keep your distance and always be alert as to what’s happening in front and behind you. Be aware that brake lights may have been disconnected in the hope that you will have little time to react.

* Taking extra care at busy junctions and motorway slip roads is imperative as these are the typical target spots for the fraudsters. The days of courteous driving may be over when it comes to taking notice of drivers who wave you out in front of them. This is another ploy used by the scammers, as they will deny all knowledge of giving such indication for you to pull out.

* Alarms bells should ring if after being involved in this type of accident witnesses appear quickly on the scene. These people may not be as independent as you think as they too are part of the scam.

* Always call for the police, fraudsters may tell you this isn’t necessary; however intimation of such should alert you.

* Look out for accident claims of injury such as excessive implications of excruciating pain by the passengers in the other car. Call for an ambulance if this is this case as this may also deter those who are faking it and of course be of enormous benefit to those who are not.

* Be sure of the steps your car insurance company says you must take when involved in an accident. This will include never admitting liability by innocently saying things such as ‘sorry it was my fault’. The fraudsters will rely on you being shaken and not thinking straight.

* Make notes of the condition of the other vehicle involved as well as the number of passengers and their descriptions, as some of the gangs are known to the police.

Inform your insurance company if you are at all suspicious, including if repair or tow vehicles arrive quickly at the scene and offer to take your car away for repair as these may also be included in the scam. Most insurers have their own recommended repairers and will not take kindly to you agreeing to have a car repaired without their approval.

If you think that the accident has been staged in any way make this known to your car insurance company or call the Insurance Fraud Cheatline.If you’re looking for a quote on car insurance visit Swinton.