Too many people believe insurance
fraud is a victimless crime. Nationally we pay collectively over
$30 billion for insurance fraud each year. This amounts to an
annual increase of $300 in insurance premiums for each household.
The increased premiums we all pay do not include the higher cost
of goods and services charged by companies that are also paying
higher premiums.
Insurance fraud in Nevada is on the rise. From 2000 through 2004
the Insurance Fraud Control Unit with the Office of the Nevada
Attorney General received an average of 371 fraud referrals each
year. Last year the office received 811 fraud referrals and is
on pace to receive over 1000 referrals this year. Las Vegas recently
was cited for having the second highest incident of car thefts
in the nation. Nevada is also almost double the national average
of bodily injury claims per automobile property damage claims,
which means more is paid out on each claim. Is it any wonder Nevadans
pay one of the highest rates of premiums for automobile insurance?
We can all be part of the solution. Be suspicious of being directed
to a repair facility by a tow truck driver or if a facility offers
to waive your deductible. Do not blindly accept a request to fix
unseen chips in your windshield when you are at the car wash.
Resist the suggestion to add old damages to a new damage claim.
Protect yourself by familiarizing yourself with these issues and
other fraud tips outlined in the link above. Above all else report
any suspicious actions to your insurance carrier. Together we
can make a difference.
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