Heads up all members

GreyGhost · 16th December 2006, 13:41

From BBC Moneybox.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ox/6186027.stm

Accident scammers are becoming a very serious issue, please be careful out there people. Our owners tend to be particularly careful as we love our cars too much to put them in the line of fire, even so best to be wary of this low-life scum infesting our highways and byways.

windrush · 16th December 2006, 13:49

A fair warning thanks GG I have heard of this scam before but being forwarned gives a better chance to take avoiding action

Ken · 16th December 2006, 13:57

This could be an interesting point for any future claims

The problem is so widespread that Richard Davis said insurance companies are now reconsidering one of the basic tenets of their business.

He told the programme: "Whilst there has always been the assumption that it's the rear vehicle that's been at fault, if customers can tell us there's been something else going on such as the car cutting in front ahead and putting its breaks on really hard, that's something we definitely want to hear about."

GreyGhost · 16th December 2006, 14:01

Best advice would be to carry a camera and make an effort to get witness statements. They apparently suddenly increase the amount of passengers when a claim is made. Photographic evidence can be very powerful.

Ken · 16th December 2006, 14:12

We have three outside camera's running all the time on the buses. Makes our task of proving it wasn't our fault very easy.

Sometimes it works the other way of course but that's life.

Ken

Simon · 16th December 2006, 21:21

Don't forget all those of us who have camera phones.

You may have thought "i'll never really use that feature" but one day, you may need to, so don't forget it's there!!

Take as many as you can. Even before you get out of the car... Every shot counts!

JP53 · 16th December 2006, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon D

Don't forget all those of us who have camera phones.

You may have thought "i'll never really use that feature" but one day, you may need to, so don't forget it's there!!

Take as many as you can. Even before you get out of the car... Every shot counts!

Good advice Simon

tourerfogey · 17th December 2006, 12:12

I've heard and read about this but frankly I don't beleive that it is all that common. It's the insurance companies that want us to beleive it's a regular occurance so that they have yet another excuse to hike premiums.

baxlin · 17th December 2006, 13:35

Sorry to disagree, Fogey, but if you take the advice and it's wrong, you've lost nowt, but if you don't take the advice and it's correct, well........

Pete · 17th December 2006, 16:05

Do remember that we are also in the Winter eason and so your braking distances are lengthened which makes this trick easier to practice. If you suspect anyone then get plenty of distance between you and them - they'll quickly go find another target.

16th December 2006, 13:41	#1
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	Heads up all members From BBC Moneybox. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ox/6186027.stm Accident scammers are becoming a very serious issue, please be careful out there people. Our owners tend to be particularly careful as we love our cars too much to put them in the line of fire, even so best to be wary of this low-life scum infesting our highways and byways.

16th December 2006, 13:49	#2
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	A fair warning thanks GG I have heard of this scam before but being forwarned gives a better chance to take avoiding action __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

17th December 2006, 16:05	#10
Pete Owners Club Director Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sherfield-on-Loddon Posts: 4,874 Thanks: 137 Thanked 996 Times in 444 Posts	Do remember that we are also in the Winter eason and so your braking distances are lengthened which makes this trick easier to practice. If you suspect anyone then get plenty of distance between you and them - they'll quickly go find another target. __________________ Follow The Club On Twitter

16th December 2006, 13:57	#3
Ken Busy doing nothing! . Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hampshire Posts: 6,373 Thanks: 33 Thanked 44 Times in 16 Posts	This could be an interesting point for any future claims The problem is so widespread that Richard Davis said insurance companies are now reconsidering one of the basic tenets of their business. He told the programme: "Whilst there has always been the assumption that it's the rear vehicle that's been at fault, if customers can tell us there's been something else going on such as the car cutting in front ahead and putting its breaks on really hard, that's something we definitely want to hear about."

16th December 2006, 14:01	#4
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	Best advice would be to carry a camera and make an effort to get witness statements. They apparently suddenly increase the amount of passengers when a claim is made. Photographic evidence can be very powerful.

16th December 2006, 14:12	#5
Ken Busy doing nothing! . Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Hampshire Posts: 6,373 Thanks: 33 Thanked 44 Times in 16 Posts	We have three outside camera's running all the time on the buses. Makes our task of proving it wasn't our fault very easy. Sometimes it works the other way of course but that's life. Ken

16th December 2006, 21:21	#6
Simon Banned - Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: - Posts: 10,318 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Don't forget all those of us who have camera phones. You may have thought "i'll never really use that feature" but one day, you may need to, so don't forget it's there!! Take as many as you can. Even before you get out of the car... Every shot counts!

17th December 2006, 12:12	#8
tourerfogey Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I've heard and read about this but frankly I don't beleive that it is all that common. It's the insurance companies that want us to beleive it's a regular occurance so that they have yet another excuse to hike premiums.

17th December 2006, 13:35	#9
baxlin This is my second home Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tring, Herts Posts: 3,961 Thanks: 124 Thanked 173 Times in 124 Posts	Sorry to disagree, Fogey, but if you take the advice and it's wrong, you've lost nowt, but if you don't take the advice and it's correct, well........