IFB highlights fronting motor insurance scam

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has warned against a common insurance fraud tactic called ‘fronting’ being used to lower motor premiums.

It has identified a growing trend for ‘fronting’, which is when an older and more experienced driver is named at the main user of a vehicle which will actually driven more often by a younger driver.

According to the IFB, more than a third of adults (35%) are aware of fronting, and it believes thousands of drivers are committing fraud and risking driving without valid insurance by employing the tactic.

As a result, it is highlighting the issue and the risks of carrying out this type of fraud in its ongoing FraudCons campaign.

Fronting

Shelley Comb, intelligence and investigations manager at the IFB, said: “Fronting on car insurance is surprisingly common and because many people don’t realise it’s illegal, countless young people and their parents are implicating themselves in insurance fraud and uninsured driving, which has devastating consequences.

“This is why as part of our Fraud Cons campaign we’re urging the public to avoid fronting. You should only be a named driver if you’re not the main user of the vehicle. If you’re unsure who the policyholder should be, then we recommend you speak to your insurer for advice first.”

Andy Trotter, law enforcement liaison officer at MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau), said: “We’re concerned that increased financial pressures, especially for younger drivers, are making it more likely that people may be tempted to save money through fraudulent activity such as fronting.

“Those who don’t tell their insurer who the main driver is are risking not only having their vehicle seized for uninsured driving, but also six points on their licence – for new drivers who only have a six-point limit, this means losing their driving licence, and ultimately a loss of freedom and independence.”