Insurance fraud is a serious crime related to selling fake insurance policies under false pretenses, allowing unscrupulous individuals and entities to make a profit in an illegal manner by preying on unsuspecting consumers. Unfortunately, this is quite a common crime with a high number of victims, often costing consumers millions in terms of increased premiums and high prices for other services. However, simply by learning how to recognize scams, you might be able to reduce fraud and stay safe and protected as a consumer. To that end, here are some simple ways you could avoid insurance frauds and scams:
Become a more informed consumer
For most of us, insurance policies tend to be a large expense, and it’s only natural we may want to find the most affordable deals. But in order to avoid potential scams, it pays to know how policy premiums are set. These prices depend on your individual claims history, as well as the degree of risk involved, with higher premiums often following greater risks.
For instance, the premium for a professional skydiver will be significantly higher than that of a librarian, due to the number of risks involved. To that end, doing some research in advance and finding approximate pricing for policies similar to your unique situation might allow you to select the best, most suitable premiums.
Work with registered insurance providers
Before deciding on an insurance policy, making sure that the insurance company you work with is legitimate is a good way of preventing potential fraud. Apart from checking simple aspects such as a business address, a landline number, and a privacy policy on the company’s website, you could also check any public databases your local government provides to ensure the insurance provider is a legitimate and registered business.
When in doubt, contacting the insurance company in an effort to ascertain the genuineness of the business might also be a good idea. In most cases, reputable companies with long histories and established names that operate worldwide could be the safest choice.
Pay only for the benefits you truly need
Even when working with large and well-established insurance companies, consumers might still be sold products and services unwittingly, causing them to unnecessarily pay higher monthly rates. For instance, a class action is currently in progress against Allianz, alleging motorists were sold worthless add-on insurances such as consumer credit and extended warranty insurance, in an effort for the company to boost its profits.
If you were deceived by this company as well, it might be best to opt-out of the Allianz Junk Insurance Class Action and pursue a refund by yourself, with the help of professionals who are experienced in the field of junk insurance claims. This might be the quickest and most efficient way of achieving a better, more satisfactory outcome.
Always read policy documents yourself
Whether you wish to buy an insurance policy online or in person, filling out the necessary documents yourself can also be a good way of avoiding scams. Simply by carefully reading and understanding the policy terms and conditions, you will be able to spot junk insurances and other unnecessary aspects, while spelling errors, misrepresentation of facts, and withholding of information can all be clear indicators of fraud.
You should never sign any documents without carefully reading the entire text, especially if the documents in question are blank forms or checks. Filling out everything yourself and only signing when absolutely certain is another simple way to avoid being cheated.
Never disclose details of your policies
Disclosing details of your insurance policies to unknown individuals is a certain way of attracting scams. Fraudsters might sometimes pose as insurance agents, asking you for specific details about your policies, either claiming to be calling you from the insurance provider service center or by posing as consumer rights personnel.
In case you get any suspicious calls or e-mails regarding your insurance policies, specifically ones claiming any issues with your policy or asking for complaints, you should be on high alert. To be on the safe side, don’t respond to these calls and e-mails, and visit your insurance provider in person to check whether it was truly their agents, or alternatively report fraud in case it wasn’t.
While insurance fraud might, unfortunately, be quite a common occurrence, adhering to the helpful advice mentioned above will allow you to avoid scams and remain safe and protected as a consumer. In times of uncertainty, always remember that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
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