Types Of Insurance Fraud And How To Avoid Them

Getting insurance is in most cases the wisest course of action as it is supposed to financially protect the policyholder from various unpredicted and unfortunate circumstances and minimize the damage done. On the other hand, insurance is ripe with fraudulent deals and scams, often designed to mislead the policyholder and get them to pay more than is necessary. This happens not only due to policyholders sometimes not being well-informed or getting into deals with well-reputed insurance providers without going through the details, but also because there are those who are professionals not in the field of insurance but in the field of deception. Luckily, there are ways to minimize the chances of getting duped.

Car insurance

Fraudulent car insurance is one of the most common ways for scammers to take your money. They typically have a way of targeting people based on their demographic and economic status, although the methods they use sometimes depend more on the situation than anything else. The most common way you could be sold fraudulent insurance is when a minor accident is orchestrated by the con artist or when they conveniently show up to help you in your time of need, such as when the truck you’ve been driving breaks down. Then, while you are still emotionally upset about the whole situation, the con artist will get you to reveal your policy information to them or get you to sign a document allowing them to demand extra fees, such as for truck tow services. A fraudulent claim could also be made by exaggerating or inventing damage on a vehicle, for which then you could be fined. Another potential fraud could be the fabricated need for repairs. To avoid any car-related fraud, there are a few things you should pay attention to. Make sure you drive carefully in order to avoid any accidents, and if it comes to that, make sure you have an official report, as well as plenty of notes and pictures. Also, alert your insurance company and report the scam if it comes to it.

Health insurance

Another field of interest for fraud is health insurance. Health is a priority for most people and here they’re prone to believing things that simply can’t be true. But opting for a fraudulent health insurance policy can jeopardize not only our wallets but also our eligibility to apply for real insurance further down the line. The trick to avoiding this fraud is taking your time and not letting the promise of something impossible cloud your judgment. If the terms are significantly different or affordable when compared to other options or if the agent is trying to strongarm you into taking the insurance or aggressively selling, chances are they don’t have your best interest at heart.

Junk insurance

Junk insurance entails any and all inclusions into the insurance policy which allow the insurance company to charge more but do not in any way benefit the policyholder. It is a way for those providing insurance to get something for nothing, and though it may seem like nothing to the policyholder as well, the accumulated fees can rise to a substantial amount. The most common junk insurance types which are added to loans are Consumer Credit Insurance (CCI), Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI), Extended Warranty (EW), and Tyre and Rim Insurance (TRI). Thankfully, if you’re looking to successfully refund junk insurance, it can be done relatively easily if you reach out to a professional. The problem is spotting junk insurance, but once you do, there should really be no further issues.

Travel insurance

Fake travel insurance can be problematic in the same way fraudulent health insurance can, and not being careful when it comes to putting your name on the dotted line could involve you in a grueling process that could be heavy on your finances. Did I mention the ruined vacation? Before making a deal, be sure to check the background of the insurance provider. Pay attention to the terminology the agents use and read the policy thoroughly. Check if the insurance provider is licensed and whether they’re backed by a legitimate underwriter, and also, check if the agent is licensed.

All types of insurance could be potentially fraudulent and anyone could fall victim to a scam, but by keeping a clear head, taking our time to check the agents’ background as well as that of their company can offer a measure of protection. Generally, scammers will either try to dupe you by including clauses that allow them to charge more for less or nothing or by getting hold of your personal information and subtly manipulating your finances. When presented with any offer, take care not to jump at it, but take some time to think it through and compare it to other offers. It’s likely that if the terms seem too good to be true, that’s because they are.