The highways and transport sector could have a greater role to play in tackling so-called ‘crash for cash’ insurance fraud, as new research suggests motorists are becoming increasingly concerned about deliberately staged collisions.

Research from temporary car insurance provider Dayinsure says Google searches for “crash for cash” have risen by 1,547% over the past year.

It cited figures from the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Bureau which suggest investigations into suspected staged and induced collisions have uncovered £25 million in potential fraudulent claims over the past five years, with 75% of cases believed to involve staged incidents.

The figures raise questions not only for insurers and police but also for the highways and transport technology sectors over whether existing road technology could play a greater role in detecting suspected fraud and providing evidence when deliberate collisions take place.

Potential measures could include greater use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) intelligence, CCTV and other roadside camera systems, alongside footage from vehicle dashcams and connected fleets.

Ryan Anderson, Fraud Lead at Dayinsure, shares how drivers can spot the crash for cash warning signs: 

“These incidents can involve exaggerated injury claims, inflated repair costs, exaggerated hire costs, or attempts to pressure innocent victims to pay money at the roadside.

“While most road accidents are genuine, with crash scams on the rise, drivers should be aware of the common warning signs and the steps to take if the worst were to happen.”

(Picture: Yay Images)