Not all crashes happen by accident. 'Crash for cash' scams are a type of fraud, in which criminals stage an accident, often with innocent road users, to profit from fraudulent insurance claims.
There are several ways that criminals may seek to cause an accident with other road users. This includes disabling break lights, braking without warning, or seeming to give way before crashing into you deliberately. Criminals may also work in conjunction with accomplice drivers on the road to confuse innocent road users and cause an accident.
According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), new forms of crash for cash scheme continue to emerge, including 'clip for cash' scams. Scams involving mopeds have also become increasingly common, particularly in London and other urban areas.
Who is at risk?
All road users should beware the threat of crash for cash scams. However, some drivers could be at greater risk than others.
According to Ask the Police, an online police resource, organised criminals may target victims that they perceive to be vulnerable and easy to deal with, such as older drivers. They may employ 'witnesses' to incidents to confirm the perpetrator's version of events, and encourage the victim to admit fault.
As with all frauds, many of the consequences are ultimately passed on to law-abiding motorists. Like all road traffic collisions (RTCs), crash for cash scams are extremely dangerous, and may cause serious harm to those involved. But even drivers who escape harm can face consequences, including loss of their no-claims bonus, and higher insurance premiums.
Preventing crash for cash scams
As a road user, you can't completely protect yourself against crash for cash incidents. However, there are measures you can take to reduce your risk of being scammed:
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Use a dashcam – they will show exactly what took place in the event of a RTC and are accepted in evidence by the police and legal system
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Maintain distance – leave sufficient braking space between your vehicle and other road users at all times
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Stay alert – be aware of the way other road users behave. If a vehicle has ineffective or inoperative brake lights, this can be a sign that something isn't right. Watch out for other drivers making space for you too – they may be setting you up for a collision.
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If you do have a collision, watch out for the behaviour of the other driver(s) involved. Do they seem unbothered by the incident? Do they appear to be faking or exaggerating an injury? Are they insisting that you admit fault at the scene?
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If you are involved in an RTC, never admit fault – ensure that you and your passengers are all safe, exchange details and await recovery or the attendance of emergency services in a safe place if necessary; who is at fault is a matter for the relevant insurers to discuss.
Have you suffered a crash for cash incident?
If you think you may have been the victim of a crash for cash incident, speak to the police and your insurer immediately. If you need further advice, please contact a member of the Lockton team.