Don't be a Victim: Insurance Crime

Insurance crime is not victimless. It costs Canadians more than $3 billion per year in insurance premiums, and health care, emergency services and court costs. Insurance criminals take money right out of your pocket – when they cheat, you pay.

Insurance companies are committed to putting an end to this type of crime. Individual companies employ investigators who are specially trained to handle and pursue questionable insurance claims. As an industry, insurers support the work of Insurance Bureau of Canada to investigate insurance crimes and to lobby for legislative changes that will increase the risk and decrease the profit associated with this type of activity. Insurers also support industry-wide efforts to educate Canadians about the cost and consequences of insurance crime.

You can help combat insurance crime. Below are some precautions you can take to avoid being a victim of insurance crime, and some clues to help you identify an insurance crime in action. If you have information about an insurance crime, report it.

Auto accident insurance crime

To avoid a staged collision:

• Never tailgate; allow plenty of space between your car and the car ahead of you. This will give you ample time to stop if the lead car suddenly jams on its brakes.
• Look beyond the car in front of you while driving. Apply your brakes if you see traffic slowing.

In the event of a collision:

• Get the other car’s license plate number. Also, count how many passengers were in the other car when the accident took place. Get their names, phone numbers and driver's license numbers. Later, you can compare this information to the information on the resulting claims, to make sure that all of the claimants were actually passengers in the car.
• Note descriptions of the passengers. Try to find some characteristic that distinguishes each passenger.
• Note how the passengers behave. Do they stand around and joke, but suddenly act injured when the police arrive?
• Take pictures of the other car, the damage it received, and the passengers. It is good to keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment for this purpose.
• Call the police to the scene. Get a police report with the officer's name, even if the damage is minor. If the police report notes just a small dent or scratch, it will be harder for crooks to claim serious injuries or car damage later.
• Get involved if you're a witness. Watch for the warning signs of a scam, and help the honest victim with details.

Call the Insurance Bureau of Canada if you suspect an insurance crime. The toll-free number to report tips is 1-877-IBC-TIPS (422-8477), and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Give the location of the collision, the license plate number(s) of the car(s) involved, the names of people involved, the reason you think the collision is suspicious and as many other details as possible.

Tow Trucks:

According to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario – but this applies in almost all parts of the country – when you are approached by a tow truck driver at the scene of an accident:

• Make sure the tow truck has some kind of licensing number on its side before you use its services.
  Look to see if the tow truck is affiliated with a reputable company such as an automotive roadside assistance group or automobile association.
• Ask if the tow truck has a police contract.
• Listen for obvious clues. Does the driver recommend a particular repair facility without being asked? If he/she does, this might be an indication that a referral fee arrangement exists.
• Carefully read everything the tow truck driver asks you to sign.
• Ask that your vehicle be taken to a secure location where an adjuster or appraiser from your insurance company can have access to it.
• Contact your insurance company, if possible, for information on towing and where to take your vehicle to be repaired.
  Consider having your vehicle towed to a preferred vehicle repair shop. Some insurance companies use preferred repair shops where they have an agreement that guarantees your vehicle will be repaired to the highest possible standards. For more information, contact your insurance company.

After a collision:

• Contact your insurance company if a stranger tries to steer you to an unknown body shop, doctor, chiropractor or lawyer. Give officials the names, addresses and phone numbers of these service providers.
• See only medical and legal professionals you know and trust, or that are recommended by people you trust. Never let yourself be suckered by a stranger off the streets.
• Check out your doctor or lawyer. Contact your provincial medical licensing board to ensure your doctor is licensed and that no complaints have been lodged against him or her.
• Know what your medical benefits are – what's covered and what isn't.
• Keep detailed records of your medical treatments. Include all dates, locations, who provided the treatments, what diagnoses and services you received, and what medicine, supplies or equipment were provided.
• Compare your records against the statements you receive to make sure the bills aren’t padded and that they don’t include treatments you never received. Are the treatment dates, doctor name(s), facility locations and medical services the same as you remember? Question your health provider and ask for clarification if you see problems or inconsistencies on your bills.
• Never sign blank insurance claim forms.
• Never give strangers your policy number, insurance ID number or any other information, especially if they offer you cash or free gifts, treatments or equipment.

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada

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