How to Report Auto Insurance Fraud

The effects of auto insurance fraud are felt in the pocket books of every driver. Insurance payments for exaggerated medical treatments caused by accidents that never occurred have a connection to rising premiums. You can report fraud to auto insurance companies to help eliminate excessive claims that hurt your bottom line.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Disposable camera
• Copies of emails, letters and phone messages
• Witness contact information
• Auto insurance fraud form

1. Assess the definition of auto insurance fraud with the assistance of your local law school. Public universities with law schools develop legal assistance programs to give students real world experience. You can get inexpensive advice on whether a particular action by a community member or insurance company constitutes fraud.
2. Contact your insurance claims department immediately if you find fraud on the part of accident victims. You should recite details and provide information from drivers involved in an accident to begin the process of exposing fraud.
3. File every email, letter and phone message related to fraudulent activities to provide a complete case. You should make copies for the state insurance commission, insurance claims department and your own records to give everyone involved the same information.
4. Interview other witnesses at the scene of an accident if you suspect auto insurance fraud. You should keep contact information and make a call to each witness throughout the process.
5. Preserve your memory of an accident scene with a number of photos to include with your complaint. You should take pictures of each car from multiple angles to give investigators little doubt about the condition of an insured vehicle. A disposable camera is a better option than a cell phone camera due to picture clarity.
6. File your auto insurance fraud form and set the wheels in motion for legal action before the statute of limitations expires. The nature of fraudulent action and potential interstate issues complicate the length of time fraud can be reported.
7. Avoid contact with insurance adjusters, drivers and opposing legal teams after you report auto insurance fraud. You should steer clear of directly confronting parties defrauding an insurance company as a means of maintaining objectivity at future court hearings. You can learn the fraudulent party's side of the case in briefings compiled by your attorney.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek the assistance of your state's insurance commissioner as you report auto insurance fraud. The commissioner's office works with state commerce departments to regulate the auto insurance industry. You should fill out appropriate paper work for reward programs offered to residents reporting auto insurance fraud.