Corporate Insurance Policies Continue To Be abused
The Asset Protection Unit (APU) has been encouraging corporate fleets to make use of their technology even if the driver admits fault. A large number of drivers are regularly abusing their corporate insurance policies by admitting fault for accidents that they shouldn't be according to recent studies by the APU.
APU have managed to sniff out an ever increasing number of dodgy insurance claims thanks to a combination of accident reconstruction technologies, telematics and their own bespoke forensic techniques. The major abuse of corporate fleet insurance cover occurs when drivers accept fault incorrectly or prematurely. The driving reason for this activity is the fact that these drivers wrongly think that their no claims bonus won't be affected if they admit fault.
This trend is thought to have stemmed from a lack of awareness, education and the thought of financial gain. However, it usually ends up causing corporate insurance premiums to increase. Six personal injury claims have been terminated after a recent investigation by the APU totaling £32,000 after a telematics device contradicted the driver's explanation of the accident. The accident resulted in a number of personal injury claims after two vehicles crashed when taking a corner in Widnes.
APU's director of investigative services Neil Thomas said: "After an accident, determining fault is often complex and is reliant on the drivers' versions of events. Any business with a fleet of vehicles knows how hard it is to keep its drivers safe, avoid accident disputes and prevent an often large insurance premium from rocketing. Fleet drivers, by their nature, are most likely to be working and pushed for time when accidents happen on the road, so they are perhaps even more likely to admit fault quickly in order to get on with their day. APU has been instrumental in the fight against criminals attempting to defraud motorists and insurance companies, particularly 'crash for cash' fraudsters. Its team of private investigators identified the emergence of 'flash for crash' last year, one of the latest tactics being used to defraud innocent motorists and insurers."
James Savery, 12 February 2015