Drivers try to avoid higher insurance deductibles, premiums with false calls to police
Yorkregion.com
June 15, 2015
More than 20 people in York Region with damaged vehicles tried to reduce auto insurance deductibles and avoid premium increases by calling police with a fake story.
In most cases, people called York Regional Police to report their vehicle was struck in a parking lot while unattended and the person who did the damage drove away.
Officers determined the damage to the vehicles was inconsistent with the stories and in some cases, people confessed what actually happened when confronted by police. Some of the people who confessed said an auto repair shop gave them the idea.
These calls date back to March 2015.
Falsely reporting a collision is a criminal offence. Charges can include public mischief, obstruct police, fraud and fail to remain.
In real collisions, if the combined damage to the vehicles exceeds $1,000, drivers must report the incident to police.
The law also says drivers in a collision must exchange information, regardless of the nature of the collision.
Drivers should contact police immediately if a collision involves:
- danger to motorists at the scene of the collision;
- personal injury;
- any criminal activity, such as impaired driving or stolen vehicles;
- A government vehicle of any kind;
- A vehicle which is transporting dangerous goods;
- Damage to third-party property, such as a parked car when the owner is not at the scene;
- Damage to private, municipal or highway property;
- A pedestrian or cyclist; or
- An uncooperative driver.
- If damage to your vehicle appears to exceed $1,000, you should contact police.
- If you live in Richmond Hill, Markham or Vaughan and your collision does not involve injuries, you may report the incident at the CRC, located at 10720 Yonge St., Richmond Hill.
