Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

[BoneDoc]

My son was in an accident last week. In heavy rain unfortunately he rear ended a taxi. It was a minimal bump, with minor scratching and bumper malalignment. The taxi driver appeared unhurt as they took pictures and exchanged particulars.

A few days later, the taxi driver (apparently advised by his friend) now suddenly claimed injury, took MC and said he was being advised by a Lawyer.

I am told by some lawyer colleagues that this is quite common.

For some reason this article appeared yesterday online but I did not see it in todays ST print edition.

Man jailed for 3 1/2 years for cheating insurance companies with false accident claims

The Straits Times on Sep 10, 2013
Man jailed for 3 1/2 years for cheating insurance companies with false accident claims

By Elena Chong

A man who conspired with others to cheat 15 insurance companies using false accident claims amounting to $720,650 was jailed for 3 1/2 years on Tuesday. The prosecution proceeded on one charge involving $18,169 against Ong Ka Li, 54, who was convicted after a four-day trial.

He admitted to 19 other charges including making a false report. Fifty-four other charges were taken into consideration. Deputy Public Prosecutor Jasmin Kaur told the court that Ong, then a motor insurance claim advisor, provided advice to clients who were involved in traffic accidents on traffic accident reporting and claim procedures as well as recommending workshops to clients for repairs to their damaged vehicles.

His accomplice, Neo Moh Hock, 60, a director of Beach Road Taxi Service, engaged him in 2008 to provide advice to cabbies who rented taxis from Neo's company and were involved in traffic accidents. In exchange for his help, Ong received various commissions from law firms for referring clients in personal injury claims relating to traffic accidents.

In addition, Ong initiated the filing of fraudulent personal injury insurance claims for many "passengers'' who submitted false personal injury claims even though they were not injured in accidents, or in some cases, not even present during accidents. Investigations showed that most of these false passengers were taxi drivers who were indebted to Neo while others were Ong's friends and wanted to earn extra income.

Ong would recruit taxi drivers who were in financial difficulty to pose as passengers in genuine traffic accidents and submit fraudulent insurance claims.

After the payouts, the false passengers would repay their debts to the main accomplice and Ong would earn a cut from the proceeds.

Between April 5, 2007 and Nov 28, 2009, the duo oversaw fraudulent insurance claims related to 44 separate traffic accidents. Claims totalling $720,650 were filed, of which $115,364 were aid out to the various claimants with the bulk of it rejected.

Ong has previous convictions for cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft and corruption. The court backdated his jail sentence to Nov 29 last year.

Copyright © 2013 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

 

[Ahbengdriver]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

I know very well from friends driving taxis and some who got into accidents with taxi, that the 'preferred' insurance company of mots taxis actually asked these taxi drivers to lie, teach them to lie. Yes lie first talk later. I shall not say which insurance company but I guess most of you can figure out.

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

NTUC ah ...... ?

 

[rodders]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

I was told by a tow truck driver that some workshops engage taxi drivers to help stage accidents especially along the famous stretch of the PIE.

 

[clamsgp]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

My friend's wife rear ended a taxi lightly recently and the taxi suffered some minor scratches to the bumper. When the insurance claim came, the amount was $10,000! Apparently the taxi driver also claimed 4 days of lost income while his taxi was in the workshop. All the more I need to have my video camera on all the time now.

 

[stevenwu]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

Can we get away from heavy claim from Taxi with the camera in our car ?
Do we need the taxi driver to sign a statement that he is medically OK ?

 

[fu3g0]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

Ya, had my fair share mid Feb this yr too.
Taxi cut into my lane suddenly n stop.
Causing me to not brake in time n reared him.

At first says he is okie. Even apologize for stopping to pick up passenger.

End up, his report states that his vehicle is stationary all the while when I hit him.

End up claim 8 days Mc, loss of car use and total claim amount to $15k.

Lesson learn, put cam. No such thing as nice guy when it comes to accident.

 

[MW]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

Not only taxi drivers la, most are the same. Can claim then claim lor. No harm trying

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

Have to be more cautious with Taxis ........ When he/she decides to be righteous, it means their family $$ suffers. So can they afford to be righteous ? No.....else they won't be a taxi driver in the first place.

So if they can't afford to be righteous .... Then you have to really protect yourself.

Ya, had my fair share mid Feb this yr too.
Taxi cut into my lane suddenly n stop.
Causing me to not brake in time n reared him.

At first says he is okie. Even apologize for stopping to pick up passenger.

End up, his report states that his vehicle is stationary all the while when I hit him.

End up claim 8 days Mc, loss of car use and total claim amount to $15k.

Lesson learn, put cam. No such thing as nice guy when it comes to accident.

 

[fu3g0]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

Have to be more cautious with Taxis ........ When he/she decides to be righteous, it means their family $$ suffers. So can they afford to be righteous ? No.....else they won't be a taxi driver in the first place.

So if they can't afford to be righteous .... Then you have to really protect yourself.

Actually not just taxi.
Sch bus or mini bus drivers the same.
My friend got hit by a mini sch bus w children inside.
The driver apologize and exchange num. Explained he can't afford to be late cos parents are waiting for the children.

Seeing that he is nice n sincere, my friend trusted him without taking photo.

Few days later call him don't answer and reported my friend hitting him.
Sway sway kana claim for nothing.

 

[greenfunk]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

I remember in 2010 I hit a taxi on thomson road.

My front bumped cracked while the taxi was perfectly fine. He told me all is fine no worries just exchange contact and phwoarrrr.
The next thing you know I get a claim for 20k.
The taxi driver suddenly had spinal injuries and went to camden medical centre to see a specialist.
15k was claimed by the driver for loss of income and what not.
& 5k went to the repairs of the taxi (Which btw was not damaged)

I think he tried to claim gao gao cos at that time I was driving an E-class and i had the triangle plates.

 

[tomace]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

My middle finger rule is :

1) exchange particular (SOP)
2) take photo of car/road/etc
3) brief write out of e accident & all sign on it with name/NRIC/contact/date (if needed)
4) Never private settlement with Taxi, just claim insurance & never go their so call good workshop.
5) always settled it there & then before letting all party leave. (even if urgent)


best is still drive safe & be alert


Cheers ~~~

 

[AC Schnitzer]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

My middle finger rule is :

1) exchange particular (SOP)
2) take photo of car/road/etc
3) brief write out of e accident & all sign on it with name/NRIC/contact/date (if needed)
4) Never private settlement with Taxi, just claim insurance & never go their so call good workshop.
5) always settled it there & then before letting all party leave. (even if urgent)


best is still drive safe & be alert


Cheers ~~~

1 thru 5 is an ideal scenario.

In real world scenario No. 2 is the most you can do.

Earlier this year a lorry reversed into our stationary vehicle. I'm talking about start engine, chuck into R and dump the clutch.

He stopped, got down, pin everything on us and drove off without exchange of details.

Long story short was he lied to his insurance company indicating him and us drove into each other therefore 50-50.

Our In-car footage was sent to insurance to show we have been stationary. Same day replied, we won 100% claim.

I was puzzled as to whether there is compliance for both parties to exchange particulars. Turns out the reply from my insurer was that there is nothing we can do if the driver did not want to exchange particulars.

Therefore in situation like this, the moment you step out your car, go into paparazzi mode and snap as many photos as you can of the licence plate, car position, driver, downblouse, upskirt and whatnot.

For me, photos were not sufficient to win the claim. In-car camera was the only tool to score a home run for my case.

The Mofo punch a god damn 10" hole in the door in case you think the clutch dump was BS.

 

[Red_Bean_Bun]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

If chio bu lorry driver then it'll turn into a fashion shoot ..... Hehe.

Therefore in situation like this, the moment you step out your car, go into paparazzi mode and snap as many photos as you can of the licence plate, car position, driver, downblouse, upskirt and whatnot.

 

[tomace]

Re: Taxi Drivers and Insurance Scams

1 thru 5 is an ideal scenario.

In real world scenario No. 2 is the most you can do.

Earlier this year a lorry reversed into our stationary vehicle. I'm talking about start engine, chuck into R and dump the clutch.

He stopped, got down, pin everything on us and drove off without exchange of details.

Long story short was he lied to his insurance company indicating him and us drove into each other therefore 50-50.

Our In-car footage was sent to insurance to show we have been stationary. Same day replied, we won 100% claim.

I was puzzled as to whether there is compliance for both parties to exchange particulars. Turns out the reply from my insurer was that there is nothing we can do if the driver did not want to exchange particulars.

Therefore in situation like this, the moment you step out your car, go into paparazzi mode and snap as many photos as you can of the licence plate, car position, driver, downblouse, upskirt and whatnot.

For me, photos were not sufficient to win the claim. In-car camera was the only tool to score a home run for my case.

The Mofo punch a god damn 10" hole in the door in case you think the clutch dump was BS.

During my very 1st accident, I was told by NPC that it is standard to exchange particular. Those choose not to, can or may be charge under hit & run. So far, Im bless & all of them will do so as I always make e 1st move.

Yes for your case, its important to have a in car camera, need not explain in details.

Let us drive safer & be more alert when on the move.

Cheers ~~~