Consumers Face More Insurance Fraud Schemes

A rising number of consumers are dealing with insurance-related fraud schemes on a number of fronts -- from drivers who stage low-speed crashes, to unscrupulous agents who pocket premiums, to rings of medical providers who fabricate large volumes of fake injury claims, according to experts.

The Washington-based Coalition Against Insurance Fraud is trying to alert consumers about those and other scams involving vehicle airbags, auto repair shops, windshield repairs and workers' comp.

James Quiggle, spokesman for the coalition, said agent and insurer scams are among the largest average day-to-day scams targeting consumers.

"We're seeing a growing trend of agents who steal their clients' premiums and then issue fake insurance policies to create the illusion that the client has coverage," he said.