July 7, 2006

VIRGINIA STATE POLICE OFFER TIPS TO PROTECT TRAVELERS FROM INSURANCE FRAUD

Summer's here - school's out - vacations are in full swing. For Virginians this means traveling to visit relatives, relaxing at the beach or touring historic sites. Increased travel also means increased opportunities for unsuspecting travelers to be taken advantage of by crooks who make money through insurance fraud schemes.

The Travel Industry of America Association (TIA), www.tia.org, estimates that even though summer leisure travel will be flat for 2006, approximately 88 percent of the vacation trips will be made by car. With more vehicles on the road during the summer months, the probability increases that a traveler may have his trip ruined because of a staged vehicle crash, a dishonest repair shop, an unscrupulous doctor or lawyer, or other insurance fraud scam.

The Virginia State Police (VSP) Insurance Fraud Program (IFP) is urging citizens to protect themselves against fraudsters and, in the event of an accident, avoid making fraudulent claims themselves by taking a few simple precautions. The following suggestions can help vacationers keep fraudsters and scammers away.

  • Never follow too close. Beware of vehicles that suddenly pull in front of you and brake so forcing you to rear-end their car, or vehicles that run into you as you're pulling out of a parking space.
    Never tailgate and be careful of drivers who motion for you to pull out of a parking space.

  • Carry a disposable camera in your car to record the damage done to your vehicle, the other vehicle and the accident scene. Note how many people were in the other car and their sex and ages. If possible get their names and contact information.

  • Be wary if the other driver does not want to make a police report.

  • Report anything suspicious to law enforcement officers taking the accident report.

  • If a witness to your accident approaches you, whether you're injured or not, with the name of a doctor and/or a lawyer, be cautious. This person may be a runner who solicits clients or patients for lawyers and health care professionals to increase the amount of an insurance claim and run up legal costs.

  • One of the newer scams is airbag fraud. Unscrupulous auto repair shops replace deployed airbags with old rags or beer cans and bill the insurance company for a new airbag. This puts your life or your loved ones' lives in danger. Only use reputable shops for auto repairs, and when purchasing a used vehicle, have it checked by an outside mechanic.

  • When having repair work done on your vehicle, look closely at the bill and make sure you and your insurance company are getting what you paid for. Some less than honest auto body shops will charge you or you insurance company for work that was not done or use inferior replacement parts on your vehicle and charge you for more expensive parts.

Educational information about fighting insurance fraud may be obtained from the IFP, including free posters and brochures in English or Spanish. Also, a free document holder is available for the safe-keeping of insurance papers. To request these items, e-mail freeinfo@stampoutfraud.com or visit the IFP Web site at www.StampOutFraud.com.

The Virginia State Police is committed to "Stamp Out" insurance fraud occurring in the Commonwealth. If you have knowledge of a fraudulent insurance scheme or suspect you may have been the victim of insurance fraud, report the activity to IFP on the insurance fraud hotline at 1-877-62FRAUD (1-877-623-7283) or visit www.StampOutFraud.com. You may also be eligible to receive a reward of up to $25,000.