Birmingham tops crash-for-cash list

02/09/11

Dan Smith

Birmingham is currently the worst place in the UK for crash-for-cash insurance fraud, new research suggests.

According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau, the city has now maintained this dubious title for six quarters in a row, with Sheffield and Manchester also appearing high up in its latest chart.

Some 128 million insurance records were assessed by the bureau as part of its study.

Working with 17 different forces, the body currently operates 29 live organised insurance fraud projects.

These operations are focusing on fraud valued at around £59.5 million.

Commenting on the latest crash-for-cash statistics, bureau director Glen Marr stated: "Insurers have invested heavily in reducing insurance fraud, to include 'crash-for-cash'.

"This investment is also being supported by consumers who, intolerant of insurance fraud and the criminals associated with such, are taking a stand by reporting suspicions to their own insurers and to the industry fraud Cheatline."