"Crash and Buy" Insurance Fraud Doesn't Pay Off

It's been a common trend lately in the world of insurance and it is called the "crash and buy" scam. This is when someone without insurance gets in an accident and then quickly buys a policy after the incident. Only after getting a policy would the individual then make a claim on the accident.

Last year, the California Department of Insurance, along with several law enforcement partners, conducted a statewide sweep, arresting nearly 200 people for "crash and buy" fraud.

Tamickeua Jones, 30, was arrested Tuesday on three counts of insurance fraud for her role in this scheme. In December 2014, she allegedly rear-ended another vehicle while driving without insurance. Hours later, she purchased a new insurance policy and reported to the insurance company that she had been in an accident in an attempt to get the insurer to cover the damage to the uninsured vehicle.

California Department of Insurance officials believe Jones made the claim to get her insurance to pay for the damage to her car. She was booked on three felony counts of insurance fraud for filing a fraudulent auto claim.

Last month former Major League Baseball pitcher Ted Lilly was charged with insurance fraud for a similar scenario. Lilly allegedly damaged his RV worth around $200,000 but did not file a claim until after he purchased insurance on the vehicle.

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a statement.
"Unfortunately, this type of insurance crime is surprisingly common. Insurance fraud is an expensive drain on the state's economy that totals into the billions of dollars annually in California. This is not a victimless crime. The cost of these scams is passed along to consumers through higher rates and premiums-everyone pays for insurance fraud."
In total 162 cases were filed with potential total losses of more than $1 million and actual losses of more than $75,000. 195 people were charged with 236 felonies and 43 misdemeanors.
 

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to combatting and preventing insurance crime through Intelligence, Analytics, and Operations; Education and Crime Prevention; and Strategy, Policy, and Advocacy. The NICB is supported by more than 1,200 property-casualty insurers, self-insureds, rental car, vehicle finance, and auto auctions. To learn more, visit www.nicb.org.