Here’s the UK’s “crash for cash” insurance fraud capital
It may be a central part of the Midlands engine, but Birmingham also tops a different kind of motor-centric list.
Birmingham has today been named the UK's crash for cash capital, with one out of every four fraudulent claims occurring in this city.
The research by insurance company Aviva discovered that crash for cash incidences, in which fraudsters target other motorists so they can make claims for whiplash compensation, have fallen by just two per cent in 2015, while the company detected a new claimant trying to profit from such fraud once every three hours.
Birmingham also scored the top slot for crash for cash in 2014, although, back then, only 19 per cent of claims originated from there.
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Meanwhile, north London crawled up the ranks, going from third place in 2014 to second place in 2015, while east London, a new entrant to this year's top 10, took third position.
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On the other hand, Manchester, Slough and Uxbridge, which all featured in the top 10 in 2014, do not feature on 2015's list of shame.
Aviva believes that as many as one in nine whiplash claims it receives is somehow linked to fraud.
"Crash for cash does not just push up premiums for genuine customers, it puts innocent motorists at risk," said Tom Gardiner, head of fraud at Aviva. "It is also a significant drain on scarce public resources such as ambulance, police and A&E time, all of which are wasted on these entirely bogus claims.
"The number of whiplash claims is a problem unique to the UK and needs urgent reform."
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In last November's Autumn Statement, chancellor George Osborne revealed proposals to end the right to cash compensation in cases of minor whiplash injuries designed to cut down on fraudulent claims.
Gardiner added: "We support the proposals outlined by the chancellor in the Autumn Statement, which included Aviva’s call for removing compensation from minor, short-term injuries. We believe this will end the gravy train for fraudsters, and we have pledged to pass 100 per cent of the savings from the reforms on to our customers."