ICBC is warning drivers after would-be insurance fraudster was caught on camera in a Lower Mainland parking lot.
The crash occurred last October and was brought to the provincial auto insurerB次元官网网址檚 attention after a pedestrian claimed his foot had been fractured, spokesperson Joanna Linsangan said.
The incident happened when the driver of a dark grey SUV B次元官网网址渁ccidentally placed their vehicle into reverse instead of parkB次元官网网址� before parking in a Lower Mainland garage. After getting out of the SUV, the man watched his vehicle start rolling out of the spot.
B次元官网网址淭hey tried to retrieve it but what stopped the vehicle is an oncoming white SUV,B次元官网网址� Linsangan said.
The two vehicles collided, and then a man approached on foot.
B次元官网网址淪econds later after the impact he appears to lay himself on ground behind the front right tire,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淲hen we got a call from him, he did say he was pinned to the ground for 10-20 seconds and fractured his foot.B次元官网网址�
But Linsangan said the manB次元官网网址檚 story and video footage received from the scene showed a different picture.
The driver of the white SUV managed to get security footage from the parking lot and sent it in to ICBC.
B次元官网网址淚n the video, we see that the moment of impact occurred before he went down on the ground.B次元官网网址�
As a result of the footage, Linsangan said, ICBC crash investigators were able to determine that his claim of a fractured foot resulting from the crash was fraudulent, and denied him a payout.
This kind of B次元官网网址渙pportunisticB次元官网网址� fraud happens too often, Linsangan said.
B次元官网网址淧eople who have been involved in an accident will choose to exaggerate the extent of the damage or their injuries,B次元官网网址� she said.
The auto insurer pays out $3 billion a year in injury claims, she noted, and while many of those are legitimate, the fraudulent claims drive up insurance costs for everyone.
An independent report on cost-saving measures for ICBC found that a fraud mitigation program could save $30 to 60 million each year.
If youB次元官网网址檙e involved in one of the nearly 1,000 crashes that happen in B.C. each day, Linsangan has a few tips for a fair outcome:
- Take photos of the damage and a wide shot to show location
- Record drivers licence information, phone number and name of the other driver
- Ask people nearby if they are willing to serve as witnesses
- Take detailed notes about the crash so you remember them in case the claim takes a long time to resolve
- Call ICBC as soon as you can. DonB次元官网网址檛 rely on the other person to tell your story accurately.
If you witness a crash, but cannot get involved, ICBC has an anonymous tip line at 1-800-661-6844.
Like us on and follow us on .
