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Staged Accidents

TL;DR – Learn how to protect yourself from staged accidents

Staged accidents are deliberate collisions to make you appear at fault when you are not, so a false insurance claim can be filed.

  • Avoid tailgating – Following too close is the setup fraudsters rely on most.
  • Document everything immediately: Photos, contact details, and dashcam footage.
  • Report suspected fraud directly to your insurer and authorities; don't rely on the other party's account.

Accurate reporting is the best way to protect yourself.

Watch out for staged accidents when on the road

Staged accidents are deliberate, planned collisions or road incidents caused with the intention of making an insurance company pay out a fraudulent accident claim. Fraudsters manipulate the situation to make it look as though you're at fault so they can collect a payout from your insurance.

We'll show you how to recognize them, give you tips to avoid them and tell you what to do if you are the victim of a staged accident.

Look out for these common staged accident scenarios:

  • Driver wave in: Another driver 'waves you in,' then crashes into your car and denies gesturing to you.
  • Swoop and squat: A vehicle cuts in front of you, then brakes hard intentionally, causing you to rear-end them.
  • Side swipe: A fraudster intentionally hits your vehicle, then reports that you struck them.
  • The T-Bone: Fraudsters drive into an intersection to intentionally create a side-impact collision, then claim you were at fault.
  • Pedestrian set up: A pedestrian intentionally steps into traffic to be struck and file an injury claim.

Protect Yourself from Staged Accidents

Your best protection against staged accidents is being able to spot the warning signs in advance. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself safer from the threat of staged accidents.

  • Keep a safe distance: Make space between you and the car ahead when driving.
  • Install a dashcam: A front and rear camera will record footage to show what really happened in the event of an accident.
  • Avoid aggressive drivers: If someone is driving erratically, change lanes frequently and cuts you off, try to pull back and move away from them.
  • Be cautious of 'swoop and squat' behavior: Watch for a car cutting in front of you suddenly, or a car blocking you from changing lanes. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, slow down and create space between you and unsafe drivers.
  • Be cautious of the wave-in: Watch for drivers waving you on, especially in situations where they have the right of way. Make decisions based on what is safe.
  • Look beyond the vehicle in front of you: Always keep an eye on vehicles around you, not just when you are changing lanes.
  • Be careful when turning: Take extra caution when turning at intersections.
  • Always look over your shoulder: Check your blind spots before changing lanes. Fraudsters may linger there in order to cause an accident.

What to do if you are the victim of a staged accident

It's hard to think clearly after an accident of any kind. Knowing these tips in advance can help, should you be involved in a staged accident.

  • Gather evidence: Take photos of the damage and the scene, note details, contact and witness information, license plate and insurance details. All of these can be useful to bolster your account of the incident.
  • Start a claim: Make a claim through your insurance company.
  • Avoid confrontation: Do not confront the other party about your suspicions.
  • Get their insurance information: Exchange details about each other's insurance.
  • Report suspected fraud: If you suspect the accident is fraudulent, make the appropriate reports to:
    o Your insurer
    o Police
    o Equite or Insurance Bureau Canada
  • Seek legal advice: Consult with a lawyer if necessary.
  • Trust your gut instincts: If anything feels off, don't rush – contact your insurer before moving forward.

If you are currently a TD Insurance customer and you suspect fraudulent activity:

TD Insurance can help protect you if you become a victim of a staged accident.

Get fraud support when you need it
TD Insurance stays on top of the latest fraud scams to be able to detect and help our customers navigate staged accidents.

Choose TD Insurance Auto Centres
By choosing a TD Insurance Auto Centre for accident-related repairs, you can ensure your vehicle is serviced by a reputable and trusted body shop. This is important because some fraudsters may collaborate with less reputable repair shops to inflate repair costs or facilitate fraudulent claims. TD Insurance Auto Centres are part of a reliable network, helping to protect customers from fraud associated with staged accidents.

Learn to avoid staged accidents
This article helps to identify what staged accidents are, suspicious signs to look for and tips to avoid them. Ideally, a staged accident will not happen to you, but with a little awareness and the above careful driving tips, you can make your time behind the wheel safer.