(July 13, 2011) Recession-hit drivers in the UK are resorting to dangerous measures to make extra cash, according to moneysupermarket.com. Research from Britain's top comparison site reveals one in 20 younger drivers admit to successfully staging or inventing a car accident to claim on their insurance.

The research also reveals that overall, 1.3 million motorists (4 per cent) are a dangerous threat to themselves and other road users, admitting they have or would consider deliberately causing a motor accident, or inventing one, to make a claim on their insurance.

Two per cent admit to having already successfully done so. Londoners are the riskiest behind the wheel — 10 per cent have or would consider committing motor fraud compared to less than one per cent of those living in Wales.

The insurance industry separates this type of car insurance fraud into three categories:

    • Staged motor accidents; two vehicles deliberately knock into each other in order to claim on insurance.
    • Contrived motor accidents; a fabricated claim for a motor incident that never took place.
    • Induced motor accidents; a deliberate action by a motorist to force an innocent driver to crash into them, such as braking suddenly so they are hit from behind.

The research found that of those who had successfully invented or deliberately caused a motor accident, nearly half (44 per cent) were staged, a quarter (24 per cent) were contrived, and eight per cent were Induced.

Peter Harrison, car insurance expert at moneysupermarket.com said: "We have all been affected by the recession in one way or another, but crashing for cash is not only illegal but wilfully endangers the lives of others. It seems Brits really are going a step too far this time.

"According to the ABI, in 2009 over 2,000 dishonest insurance claims worth more than GBP16 million ($25.6 million) were detected every week. Our research reveals there are many more motorists causing this type of fraud and getting away with it. Organised motor fraud not only costs the insurance industry, but risks the safety of innocent drivers, passengers and pedestrians. In addition, fraudulent claims cause insurers to increase premiums for honest motorists as they try to recuperate their losses, an unnecessary addition to the spiralling insurance premiums we are currently witnessing."