Genuine accidents are bad enough and can leave you feeling stressed and shocked. It could even leave you feeling anxious behind the wheel. In time though (and depending on the severity of the incident), those feelings should become more manageable.
But if you’ve been the victim of a crash for cash scam, it can be harder to deal with. Knowing that someone has intentionally set out to cause damage can leave you feeling particularly vulnerable and suspicious.
One of the worst aspects of crash for cash scams is that criminals tend to target drivers who are already vulnerable. This often includes people who are time-poor (like parents on the school run) or those they feel they can easily intimidate (such as young drivers, lone women, or older people).
However, not only is there an emotional aspect, but there’s also a financial consequence. If you’re involved in an accident, your premium will usually increase, and you could lose your no claims discount unless you have protected it or can prove that the claim is fraudulent.
For businesses, it can lead to an increase in fleet insurance costs. Plus, if you have signwriting on your car or van and it’s involved in an accident, witnesses could view your business negatively, which can affect its reputation.