AFP tackles motor insurance fraud with new plan
The Association of Fleet Professionals has published a new nine-point plan to help fleet drivers avoid becoming victims of motor insurance fraud.
The has been devised by the organisation’s Risk and Compliance Committee to raise awareness of common tactics used by fraudsters and provide practical steps on how to reduce the chance of being targeted.
It hopes that helping fleet drivers avoid becoming a victim of fraud will result in lower insurance premiums and less downtime.
Martin Evans, chair of the committee, said: “For 2023, the most recent year for which figures are available, fraudulent car insurance claims topped £500m – up eight per cent on the previous year.
“Feedback from AFP members supports the idea that this is a growing issue, and these fleets are especially concerned about not just the disruption that fraudulent accidents cause but about the impact on their premiums. The only solution is to work to control and reduce the number and cost of claims you are making.”
“Criminals will typically target lone drivers or commercial goods vehicles. Lone drivers present only one witness to counter the fraudsters’ claim and commercial vehicles are pretty much guaranteed to have valid insurance, making them a better target.”
Nine-point plan
- Keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front
- Be aware of vehicles approaching from behind that could potentially be lurking in your blind spot
- Maintain safe distances at roundabouts to mitigate against the risk of a vehicle in front suddenly moving into your lane
- Watch for motorcyclists aiming to cause collisions by driving directly into vehicles making a right turn at a junction
- Use caution when other motorists flash their headlights to let you pass; they may then intentionally crash into you
- Never use your phone while driving
- Keep a sensible distance from vehicles travelling suspiciously slowly
- Watch for vehicles in poor condition with signs of prior accident damage
- Consider adopting dashcams.
