Insurance - the facts, details, advice & other useful information.
Below is a few bits of information with regards to insurance and how these in car cameras have become a vital part of life for many road users.

Car Insurance Fraud & How much it costs us
We are all victims of car insurance fraud every time we renew our policy; this is by no means a victimless crime. The AA state that on average insurance fraud costs each road user £50 a year on their policy, now that is a lot of money over all those years of driving!
Car insurance fraud cannot just be classed as a financial crime. With Crash for cash & Flash for cash fraudsters are targeting innocent motorists to orchestrate accidents that put lives at risk.
This crime is aimed to cause a deliberate accident as bad as possible to make as much money as possible when claiming. The claims will be fraudulent and exaggerated for vehicle damage, personal injury claims, and other costs resulting from this staged ‘accident’ and these funds have often been linked to more serious crimes.
Over £390 million every year!
In 2006 it was decided to set up The Insurance Fraud Bureau to help clamp down on spiralling insurance fraud. The IFB published their report in 2013 on the ‘crash for cash’ problem and it was estimated that the annual cost of this type of fraud was £392 million with an estimated 1 in 7 of all personal injury claims being linked solely with ‘Crash for Cash’.
Crash for Cash - How does it work?
Crash for cash is when a vehicle tries to deliberately get you to crash into the back of another vehicle, either directly into them, or in a pair of tricksters with a distraction on the car in front braking, causing the so called innocent party in the middle to brake, who you then hit. The first vehicle speeds off, leaving you and the car you hit cursing the car that is driven off, however the car you hit is in on this set up also!
Scenario 1:
A car pulls in front of you quickly, and then instantly brakes sharply, giving you no chance to avoid going into the back of them.
Scenario 2:
A car pulls in front of you and then accelerates away from you at traffic lights or a roundabout only to brake sharply as you approach and for no obvious reason giving you no chance to avoid going into the back of them.
Scenario 3:
When approaching a zebra crossing, despite the crossing being totally clear the car in front slams on the brakes causing you to crash into the back of them.
Scenario 4:
The fraudsters disconnect their brake lights giving you absolutely no warning at all when they sharply brake leaving it inevitable that you will collide into the back of them, the brake light is quickly and simply reconnected again leaving you looking like the party that is lying.
Who is most likely to be targeted?
Gangs will target vehicles most likely to be insured and they will also target drivers they think are least likely to cause a scene, so sadly they often target mums with children in the car, older drivers, well maintained cars and cars with private plates are all at higher risk, sounds cowardly huh?
Well you can fight back!
All of the above can be defended and proven with an in car accident camera / dash cam fitted. Not only that, but if the gangs and fraudster see that the vehicle is equipped with a dash cam / in car camera you will be less likely to be a targeted victim. So you can protect you and your family with an in car camera.
Flash for Cash - How does it work?
As the title suggests really. ‘Flash for Cash’ is the newest phenomenon where fraudsters will flash their headlights at you, giving the impression of a helpful motorist beckoning you out of a junction, shops, petrol station, lane, only to then speed up and induce the crash for which you will appear to be the blamed party! They will often get out the car, shouting that you pulled out on them without looking, and deny all knowledge of flashing them. How do you prove otherwise?
Well you can fight back!
As with ‘Crash for Cash’ you have the solution. With an Accident camera, in car camera or dash cam you have the proof that the car stopped to let you out, flashed to let you out, only to then smash into you. Again as with ‘Crash for Cash’ if they see you have the camera installed then you have an increased chance of being left alone, and not becoming a victim.
Additional advice to help reduce the chance of becoming a victim
• Have your in car camera supplied and installed to be permanently wired, safely powered and neatly installed to help reduce your chances of being targeted, and if you are unfortunate enough to be targeted have the proof to prove you were not at fault.
• Look well ahead and anticipate all possible hazards
• Do not assume that the flashing of headlights is a signal that all is clear and it is OK to proceed. Make sure you still use your own judgement and proceed with care (Highway Code rule 111)
• Do not assume, when waiting at a junction that a vehicle coming from the right and signalling left will actually turn. Wait and make sure (Highway Code rule 170)
• Leave plenty of space to the car in front at all times, especially at junctions, pedestrian crossings, and adverse weather conditions.
• Be wary of a vehicle in front driving erratically or slowing down for no apparent reason.
• If you suspect that the car in front has brake lights that are not working, and then keep well out of their way.
What to do if you have been a victim?
Below is some sound advice if you think you have been a victim
• If you have one of our cameras make sure you check your device, make sure the unit has logged the incident and store in a safe place until you can download the data. Then as soon as you can get to your computer down load the data immediately, if you can make several copies on different devices. Review the footage and prepare in an email for your insurance company, and if needed for the police also.
• Do not admit liability for anything at the scene.
• Do not challenge the other driver directly with your suspicions, keep tight lipped and keep your data safe.
• Take written notes and photographs of what happened including descriptions of the other driver, and any passengers in the vehicle along with what was said.
• Take as many photos as you can, we suggest discreetly if possible and include the general scene, any damage on either vehicle, and the inside of the other vehicle showing the number of occupants.
• Insist on calling the police and tell them of your suspicions.
• Check for independent witnesses, but be on guard and keep your wits about you as fraudsters can plant witnesses as part of the scam.
• Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as you can and tell them of your suspicions, and if you have one of our in car cameras tell them you have the incident recorded and a backup of that video ready to email them and the police if needed.
• Report the incident to the Insurance Fraud Bureau’s Cheat line on 0800 422 0451
Accident Cameras - In Car Cameras / Dash Cams
In car cameras and dash cams are becoming a fast growing industry with more and more drivers protecting themselves. In Car cameras / dash cams continuously record, in HD quality onto either internal memory, or a memory card. The data can be saved and viewed on your computer along with speed, date, time and GPS location; you are then able to share this valuable data with both the police, and your insurance company. Insurance companies welcome this technology and encourage these cameras to be used and in some cases will offer premium discounts on your policy when you can show them you have an in car camera / dash cam fitted and in use.