These Car Insurance Frauds Were So Outrageous That Even Investigators Were Taken Aback | Carscoops

      From fabricated thefts to gym workouts following injury claims, investigators in one Canadian province are uncovering more auto fraud cases than ever before.

      Manitoba Public Insurance has looked into over 2,600 instances of fraud.

      In one example, a man reported an injury but was spotted lifting weights at a gym.

      In another case, a truck driver staged a fire and suffered severe burns as a result.

      Car insurance is intended for genuine needs and should not be exploited for personal gain. While this expectation can go both ways, that's a separate discussion. Each year, countless individuals attempt to game the system with fraudulent claims, seeking a payout. Insurers, however, are not amenable to deception.

      If something seems off, they can monitor you, conduct surveillance, and not only reject your claim but also seek repayment of any funds already disbursed.

      According to new data from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), auto insurance fraud has surged this year across the province. The report indicates there have been over 2,600 cases of suspected fraud related to physical damage and bodily injury claims, with five incidents standing out as particularly outrageous.

      Gym Workouts and Warning Signs

      In one situation, a driver was involved in a minor collision yet claimed to be injured to the point of being unable to work or manage household tasks. Due to the severity of the alleged injuries, they qualified for Income Replacement Benefits and Personal Care Assistance payments.

      Suspecting foul play, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) at Manitoba Public Insurance initiated an investigation. Surveillance revealed the claimant frequently hitting the gym and lifting heavy weights, leading to an immediate termination of benefits.

      In a different case, a commercial truck driver incurred severe burns after their vehicle caught fire. The driver claimed to have spent 10 minutes attempting to save the truck. However, video footage later revealed that the driver intentionally set the truck ablaze, resulting in injuries from an unexpected explosion. The claim was denied, saving nearly $1 million.

      From "Stolen" to Dubai

      Another case of alleged vehicle theft caught the attention of investigators. The claimant reported that their car had been stolen from a parking lot and received $51,657 in compensation. However, investigators soon discovered the vehicle was found in a shipping container en route to Dubai, Ontario.

      It was revealed that the car had been reported stolen days after arriving in Ontario, with no signs of forced entry or ignition tampering.

      How Not to Ram a Porsche

      Staging a collision is not a smart strategy. In one incident, two individuals filed claims following a crash that involved two vehicles, one being a Porsche. Investigators uncovered that one driver had deliberately collided with the luxury car while it was reversing out of a driveway. They also found that the Porsche's occupant was driving illegally with only a Learner’s license.

      In the final case, a claimant asserted they were injured during a minor accident and claimed they couldn’t perform specific job functions that required transporting bulk supplies.

      However, investigators observed the individual frequently running errands and loading 18-20 cases of beer without help, despite claiming they could only lift five pounds. The benefits paid to this claimant were immediately halted, and the insurer is now attempting to recover the $19,000 already disbursed in benefits.