Drivers urged to never leave home without a pen, | Tech News

Drivers have been warned to act rapidly within the occasion of a car accident amid a rise in so-called ‘crash-for-cash’ scams. The scams are designed to power harmless drivers into collisions in a bid to earn money in compensation payouts.

While intentionally braking in entrance of unsuspecting drivers stays a common tactic, the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has lately highlighted new strategies rising throughout the UK, together with the so-called ’roundabout lure’, the place fraudsters intentionally transfer into the mistaken lane at busy roundabouts to set off a collision. The IFB acquired a report 9,400 studies of insurance coverage fraud final yr, highlighting the growing scale of the issue.

Katie Ackerley, motoring professional at GSF Car Parts, warns that buying a sprint cam and recording conversations following a collision may save drivers hundreds of kilos.

She stated: “Once it’s safe to do so, use your phone’s voice recorder to talk through exactly what happened after a collision. Most drivers don’t carry a pen and paper anymore, but almost everyone has their phone to hand. Record where the collision took place, the weather conditions and anything else you remember. It only takes a minute, but those details could prove crucial if a claim is later disputed.

“While the Highway Code recommends leaving a two-second hole between automobiles, I’d urge drivers to leave even more space on busy roads and round roundabouts. Many ‘crash-for-cash’ scams depend on drivers not having enough time to react if the vehicle in entrance immediately brakes.

“If you’re involved in a collision, don’t just take close-up pictures of the damage. Take photos of the wider scene too, including road markings, signs and where the vehicles ended up. These details can be vital if there’s a dispute about what happened.

“And no matter you do, do not admit fault on the roadside. If the opposite driver appears unusually eager to settle issues privately or tries to put you off contacting your insurer, deal with it as a purple flag.”

Discussing the use of a dashcam which can provide evidence of the action taken by scammers to initiate the collision, Katie believes they provide “peace of mind” for a small price.

She added: “A dashcam could possibly be one of the best investments a driver makes. Even a fundamental model can seize very important proof and help show precisely what occurred after a collision.

“With some dashcams costing as little as £50, it’s a small price to pay for the peace of mind they can provide if a claim is challenged.”

Drivers are additionally suggested to exchange particulars via official channels and report any suspicious behaviour to their insurer as quickly as attainable.

The Insurance Fraud Bureau additionally recommends motorists stay vigilant for uncommon driving behaviour and report suspected crash-for-cash incidents via its confidential CheatLine service.