Don't Be a Victim.

Take a Stand Against Insurance Fraud.

Whether you know it or not, you are already the victim of insurance fraud. In fact, we all are.

According to the NICB, scams and inflated claims push up the average American family's auto insurance premiums by as much as $300 per year. In the worst cases, this crime can put the lives of you and your family members in danger. Protect yourself and those around you by learning what to look for, and what you can do to stop fraud.

How to Spot An Insurance Scam

Fraud comes in many forms, but some are easier to detect than others. In the worst cases, criminals devise elaborate scams with faked injuries or staged thefts to collect on insurance policies. Some of the common scams include:

Intentionally destroying property or a vehicle, then lying to insurers about the alleged "accident."
Faking an injury to collect disability, workers' compensation, or a personal injury insurance claim.
Making a false theft report, when the property "stolen" has been hidden or destroyed.

Protect Yourself On The Road

Criminals use dangerous techniques to victimize unsuspecting drivers. Keep your eyes open for these schemes whenever you drive, especially if you own and drive a newer vehicle in a State with no-fault and/or Personal Injury Protection laws.

Drive Down: As you try to merge into traffic, another driver yields, waving you on. As you merge, the other driver intentionally collides with you then denies offering you the right of way to police.
Swoop & Squat: A vehicle suddenly swoops in front of yours and jams on the brakes, causing a collision. Despite the low speed, the passengers in the other car claim to have serious back or neck injuries.
Panic Stop: Stopped in the same lane of traffic, another car is directly ahead of yours. That car moves forward then abruptly stops, forcing you into a collision.
Left-Turn Sideswipe: As you turn left at an intersection with two turn lanes, another car crosses the centerline and intentionally sideswipes your car.

Don't be a victim. Always drive defensively — not only to prevent an accident, but to protect yourself from fraud.

10 Tips to Help Protect Yourself from Fraud

Read and understand your insurance policies. Know exactly what is and is not covered.
Only purchase insurance from a licensed agent.
If your home is damaged by severe weather, avoid contractors who offer to 'enhance' the damage to pad your claim.
Before you purchase a boat, ensure that its HIN exactly matches the HIN listed on the registration and title.

After an Auto Accident:

Exchange contact information with all the passengers. Get the driver's license number, license plate number, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance.
Take pictures of all damage to both cars. This will make it harder for the other driver to add damage later and inflate their claim.
Avoid speaking to other people at the scene regarding the facts of the accident, and do not admit fault or place blame - all circumstances involved in causing the accident may not be known at this point.
Be cautious of people who immediately appear at the accident scene and recommend a particular mechanic, doctor, or attorney.
Be wary of a physician who suggests you file a personal injury claim after an accident, even if you are not hurt.
Obtain detailed billing information and receipts for all medical services and car repairs.

Protect Yourself At Home

If you own a home, especially in areas of the U.S. that experience severe weather conditions, be mindful of:

Shady Contractors: After heavy storms or hail, homeowners are sometimes approached by criminal-minded contractors who offer to further damage the home before the claims adjuster arrives.
Staged Break-Ins: Some desperate homeowners have hired thieves or vandals to break in and steal or destroy their property. When caught, that homeowner faces criminal charges.