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Car accidents can be dangerous and traumatizing experiences, and some scammers try to use them as an opportunity to take advantage of you. Here's how to recognize five auto insurance scams, and some tips on how you can avoid each one.
1. Intentional Accident Scams
Some scammers might put you into a position where you can't avoid a crash, claim you're at fault and then file a claim against your auto insurance. A few staged or intentional accident scenarios are so common they've earned nicknames:
- Swoop and squats: A scammer drives in front of you and their accomplice swoops in front of them and suddenly stops. The squat car in the middle hits the brakes, hoping that you'll rear-end it. Sometimes, another accomplice pulls up beside you so you can't switch lanes. If you rear-end the car in front of you, the others leave the scene and the driver you hit claims you're at fault.
- Panic stops: A similar scenario happens when one car pulls in front of you and suddenly stops. The driver might watch you closely and wait until you're distracted before slamming on the brakes, making it easier for them to claim you're at fault.
- Drive downs: The scammer waves at you to give you the right of way to make a turn, change lanes or pull out of a parking spot. At the last second, they drive in front of you to cause an accident or their accomplice hits you and claims you're at fault for getting in their way.
The scammers can benefit from these scams in several ways. They might say the accident caused damage to the vehicle that was already there, or physical injuries that they were already experiencing, to try to get your insurance to pay.
In some cases, someone who wasn't even in the other vehicle will claim to have been a passenger who got injured. And if the scammer is working with dishonest repair shops or doctors, they might get a cut of the insurance payments.
How to avoid the scam: Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you, immediately call the police after an accident and take pictures or a video of the scene and damage. Additionally, try to immediately write down or record as many details as you can. A dashboard camera can also help absolve you if you're the victim of an intentional accident scam.
2. Bystander Scams
A staged bystander might approach you after the accident and offer assistance. They might recommend a particular body shop, doctor, tow company or attorney, but they're getting a kickback from the company.
Alternatively, a tow truck driver might quickly show up and offer to tow your vehicle to a nearby shop. The driver might wind up overcharging you for the tow and could be working with the shop to scam your insurance company.
How to avoid the scam: It's best to research options on your own and avoid taking suggestions or services from people who quickly appear on the scene. You may also want to contact your auto insurance provider, as your insurance might cover towing and storage.
3. Auto Glass Repair Scams
Someone might approach you in a parking lot, at a car wash or on your street and try to convince you that you need to repair or replace your windows. They'll claim to be a professional who can accept your insurance and repair the damage—at a good rate, of course. If you give the person your insurance information, they might file inflated claims and replace windows that don't need replacing, sometimes with inferior glass.
How to avoid the scam: Only work with licensed and insured auto glass companies, and avoid anyone who tries to pressure you into getting work done or signing a contract. If you need to replace a window, contact your insurance company to see if your policy covers broken windows and how much a replacement might cost considering your deductible.
4. Auto Repair Shop Scams
You also have to be cautious when you go to a legitimate repair shop. They might try to charge you for unnecessary services or parts, charge for high-end parts but use low-quality ones or falsely claim that they made repairs. Some of these scams can even be dangerous, such as when the shop installs old or counterfeit airbags in your vehicle and bills your insurance for new airbags.
How to avoid the scam: Ask your insurance provider for recommendations for a shop and review the company's reviews online. You can also ask for a written damage report, which has more details than an estimate, and a written warranty for any repairs and paint. Additionally, even if it's tempting, avoid offers from the body shop to waive your deductible—it may be overbilling your insurance company or using counterfeit or subpar parts.
5. Auto Insurance Agent Scams
Sometimes, the scammer is actually your insurance agent, and you won't realize it until you try to file a claim. This can happen when a dishonest agent takes your premium payments, or someone pretends to be an agent and sells you a fake policy. Even if you have legitimate coverage, you also want to watch out for agents who add extra charges for services you didn't want, such as roadside assistance.
How to avoid the scam: Read auto insurance reviews to find highly rated companies, and use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) directory, which will point you toward your state's insurance department's website to confirm an agent's license. You can also closely review your policy and re-review it at each renewal to make sure you're not paying for services you don't need.
Avoid Scammers and Overpaying for Auto Insurance
Auto insurance scams can increase your premiums and leave you on the hook for deductibles, so try to remember to take pictures and record what happens after an accident. Also, immediately call the police and get a police report, even if there's only minor damage, and be skeptical of people who suddenly appear and offer help. If you suspect fraud, you can report the incident to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
Even if you're not being scammed, you can regularly compare auto insurance quotes to see if you're getting the best rate on auto insurance. You can gather quotes from several companies on your own, or use Experian's auto insurance comparison tool to quickly compare personalized auto and homeowners insurance quotes from multiple companies. If you find a better option, Experian will help you switch policies.