Drivers urged to never leave home without a pen, paper and £50 item
A motoring expert warns that a common scam is on the rise as she urges drivers to consider investing in protection.
Drivers have been warned to act quickly in the event of a car accident amid a rise in so-called 'crash-for-cash' scams. The scams are designed to force innocent drivers into collisions in a bid to earn money in compensation payouts.
While deliberately braking in front of unsuspecting drivers remains a common tactic, the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has recently highlighted new methods emerging across the UK, including the so-called 'roundabout trap', where fraudsters deliberately move into the wrong lane at busy roundabouts to trigger a collision. The IFB received a record 9,400 reports of insurance fraud last year, highlighting the growing scale of the problem.
Katie Ackerley, motoring expert at GSF Car Parts, warns that purchasing a dash cam and recording conversations following a collision could save drivers thousands of pounds.
She said: "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 gap between vehicles, I'd urge drivers to leave even more space on busy roads and around roundabouts. Many 'crash-for-cash' scams rely on drivers not having enough time to react if the vehicle in front suddenly 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 whatever you do, don't admit fault at the roadside. If the other driver seems unusually keen to settle things privately or tries to put you off contacting your insurer, treat it as a red 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 be one of the best investments a driver makes. Even a basic model can capture vital evidence and help prove exactly what happened 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 also advised to exchange details through official channels and report any suspicious behaviour to their insurer as soon as possible.
The Insurance Fraud Bureau also recommends motorists remain vigilant for unusual driving behaviour and report suspected crash-for-cash incidents through its confidential CheatLine service.
