Most people think of insurance fraud as something that only hurts big, powerful insurance companies. And, while it’s true that insurance fraud does hurt insurance companies, it also hurts real, live people. People who hold insurance policies may have the benefit of not having to pay for all of a person’s damages when a claim is filed. But, they are still responsible for paying up to the deductible amount. Plus, they will also be “punished” in the form of an increased monthly premium.
To avoid these kinds of consequences, it’s wise for all insurance holders to be aware of the common signs of insurance fraud, and, if they think they are being targeted for fraud, they should contact a qualified Oklahoma insurance fraud attorney for assistance.
An Accident That’s Left You Dazed
Have you been involved in a car accident that felt “off?” Maybe you are almost 100% certain that you didn’t hit the car in front of you as the driver claims. Or, maybe you think there’s no way that your minor fender bender could have caused the major damage the other driver is claiming.
Whatever the case may be, if you feel that something isn’t right with the accident, trust your instincts. It could be that the other driver is trying to get more “mileage” out of the accident than is actually deserved by claiming more extensive damages. Or, it might even be that the accident was staged for the sole purpose of getting insurance money; believe it or not, staged accidents are fairly common among fraudsters.
If something doesn’t feel right, share your concerns with your insurance provider and with a skilled attorney.
Your Insurer is Shady
Surprisingly, insurance fraud doesn’t always involve someone making fraudulent claims. Sometimes, instead, it’s a shady, non-trustworthy company that commits the fraud- by claiming to offer you more coverage than it actually does or by just flat out taking your money and not providing you with any real coverage at all.
Sadly, these kinds of things have been happening more and more in recent years. If you pay premiums to a company that you’ve never actually been to in person, especially if you just signed up for the policy over the phone, at the request of a telemarketer, or if your coverage sounds “too good to be true” in terms of cost, you may want to do some further digging to find out if your company is legitimate.
Other red flags include an insurance provider that can’t be reached by phone or that doesn’t have any verifiable contact information. A lawyer can help you to contact the state insurance board to determine whether your insurer is legitimate or not and can provide you with information on what to do if it’s not or what to do if a supposedly legitimate agency is taking you for a ride.
These are just two types of insurance fraud that could potentially affect your life. You don’t have to be a victim though. Listen to your gut instinct and, if you think you may have been victimized, get legal help!
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