GetInsuranceQuotes.ca Provides Tips to Drivers on How to Avoid Auto Insurance Fraud
Toronto, ON (PRWEB) July 26, 2013 -- Many drivers are victims to a multitude of car insurance scams by incorrectly falling prey to false advertisements promising cheap auto insurance. As a consequence, many drivers have lost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
These fraudulent insurance ads have been circulating since February 2012 in Ottawa and Toronto free classified listings, and have been found in online classifieds like Craigslist, as well. The ads promise cheap insurance for any and all drivers, and will sometimes use the names of legitimate insurance companies in an attempt to increase their credibility, in addition to company names like Smith and Sons, Arthur and Sons, and Addison and Sons.
When a customer is eager to find great deal, they will contact the false ad and give all of their personal information. Afterwards, the cons will falsely quote them an insurance price, which usually proves to be significantly less than the premium they're currently paying. The cons will then encourage the customer to wire them the insurance payment, usually via Western Union or a similar wiring option.
Sometime after the payment is sent and received, the customer will receive a well-made insurance card with their details and information. However, no auto insurance is actually included with the holding of this slip, which could prove disastrous if an accident occurs. The cons cover their tracks by using disposable, pre-paid cell phones, so there is no way for the police to track down the perpetrators. The police are adamant that individuals looking for new auto insurance providers do so carefully, and research the company thoroughly before committing to a purchase.
With the vast amount of auto insurance providers in such a competitive market, it can be a challenge to sift through the companies and weed out the frauds from legitimate ones, so it's vital that prospective customers do their due diligence and remember that if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. In regard to this scam, insurance shoppers should be careful to look for the following:
•Insurance advertisements boasting that they accept everyone.
•Receiving an insurance quote that is significantly lower than most competitors.
•Being requested to wire premium payments via Western Union or similar wiring options.
Before choosing to take out a new auto insurance policy with any company, take a bit of time to ensure that they hold a license through the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario. All insurers have to register with Financial Services Commission of Ontario. Should an insurance provider not be listed with these organizations then they aren't legitimate insurers, and they should immediately be reported to the proper authorities. A good resource is the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre can be reached by calling 1-888-495-8501.
The auto insurance industry in Ontario is very competitive, but if a driver comes across a quote that is too good to be true, they should question the quote. A driver can protect themselves by ensuring the legitimacy of the company, and this can be easily done by contacting a regulatory agency to be sure that they aren't the next one to fall victim to one of these scams.
Read more about how you can avoid auto insurance scams in Ontario and more insurance tips and information at GetInsuranceQuotes.ca.
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About GetInsuranceQuotes.ca
GetInsuranceQuotes.ca is a free, easy-to-use and secure online service that offers motorists a quick way to find competitive auto insurance quotes. All motorists, regardless of their experience, driver history, classification or experience, looking to save money on their car insurance within the provinces of Alberta and Ontario should consider GetInsuranceQuotes.ca first.
GetInsuranceQuotes.ca Ltd. is not an insurance company. It is an online service that offers motorists a way to find competitive car insurance quotes from a network of professional car insurance agents and brokers of their participating intermediaries and providers.
For more information, visit GetInsuranceQuotes.ca or contact:
Anthony Prugo
416-597-2000 or toll free at 1-888-867-1477
Anthony(dot)prugo(at)getinsurancequotes(dot)ca
Get Insurance Quotes Ltd.
Cathy-Anne O'Brien, BlueSky Communications, 416.929.2506, [email protected]
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