Is this a case of attempted auto insurance fraud?
Hey everyone,
I had an unusual encounter recently that has me questioning if it was an attempt at insurance fraud. A young immigrant mother, driving a relatively new Toyota Camry, ran into the rear corner of my parked truck while I was sitting inside.
She claimed she didn’t speak English, but since I know some Spanish, I managed to communicate a bit with her. I was genuinely caught off guard during the whole thing. We didn’t exchange any information, but I did manage to get her license plate. I’m not sure if she got my info or took any photos because I wasn’t focused on her the entire time. All she kept saying was, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
I recorded a video of my truck and the surrounding area for context, but unfortunately, that was after she had already left the scene. After the impact, she moved her car into a parking spot before I could take any pictures.
When I checked her car, she pointed out a scratch on her front left bumper, which seems odd to me considering the way the accident happened. She was originally parked perpendicular to my truck, and the damage doesn’t add up unless she was trying to park next to me and completely misjudged the distance. In fact, I can’t shake the feeling that she may have hit me twice, perhaps attempting to cause more damage.
Once she left, I started to wonder if she had targeted my truck to falsely claim that I had hit her vehicle. It doesn’t make sense for me to back into her car if she’s usually parked in a spot. Of course, she could easily lie about the situation.
A friend of mine had a minor fender bender without visible damage, and the other person still managed to file a claim using their license plate number.
I can’t help but feel that the state of my truck might have made me a target—it’s not the newest vehicle, and maybe she thought it would be easier to manipulate the situation. What do you all think?
It sounds like you’re dealing with a tricky situation, and it’s understandable to have concerns about potential insurance fraud. Here are a few points to consider:
Unusual Circumstances: The fact that she hit your parked truck and quickly moved her vehicle could raise red flags. If she was indeed trying to create damage to claim against you, that could be an indication of fraudulent intent.
Damage Doesn’t Match: As you noted, the damage to her car doesn’t seem consistent with how the accident occurred. If her front left bumper is scratched but her car was positioned differently, that suggests the damage may not have been caused by your vehicle.
Lack of Information Exchange: Not exchanging information is another concerning factor. In legitimate accidents, parties usually swap insurance details. Her moving her car and not providing her information could indicate she was trying to avoid direct accountability.
Documentation: It’s good that you took video of your truck and the surrounding area, since that may provide evidence if she does try to file a claim. Keep records of everything, including the details of the incident.
Consider Talking to Your Insurance: Given the possibility of her filing a claim against you despite the circumstances, it may be wise to inform your insurance company of the incident. They can guide you on the best steps to take and protect yourself against any potential claims.
Future Precautions: If you’re in an area with a lot of parking lot incidents, consider taking pictures and documenting any accidents immediately, regardless of whether they seem minor. This can save a lot of trouble down the road.
Stay vigilant and make sure you have all the evidence on your side. It’s better to be cautious with these situations!