Insurance scammer SC (longish, language)

[Zeeko]

We get people every now and then that want a quote on goods for insurance reasons - they need a certain number of quotes before the Insurance company releases funds (probably to know the REAL value of the claimed item).

I had a lady come in (quite well dressed) who was cheerfully talking to me about UHF in-car radios, then asks me if she could get me a quote on a model she pointed out. This was the same model that was stolen from them (I remember - I sold the original one to them). She also told me lots of gear was stolen (microwave, kettle, toaster, small TV, etc).

Anyway quote written out to their insurance company and all is rosey.

A month or so later we get a check in the mail from the insurance company for the UHF. I'd put it away because I was a nice guy and didn't want them to find that when their claim goes through we have no stock.

OK, so check is all cleared everything is fine. I contact the customers and tell them their UHF is ready for pickup at any time. All is still rosey.

Husband comes in:

SC - Husband
ME - Me (and yes when a customer gets shitty with me, I match it)
BB - Big Boss

SC: I have a UHF to pickup
ME: Certainly, what name is it for?
SC: Stevie McScamscam
ME: Oh the Insurance claim! You're quite lucky you got approved, here you go (puts UHF on counter)
SC: BULLSHIT!, that isn't the one, it doesn't even have an antenna in the pack - how am I going to use this?
ME: Excuse me, the original you bought didn't include an antenna and you said you were going to buy one at a later date (he didn't - so he either found some other place that sells them or he didn't bother installing), so settle down. This is the EXACT item your wife came in for the quote on, nothing more, nothing less.
SC: She probably didn't even know which model it was
ME: (pulls out original note FROM HIM that she presented to ME the day of the quote) Any questions?
SC: Don't get smart with me sonny, I know what I bought originally and it was this version here (points to the same model but in a special pack with a bonus handheld for same price)
ME: (blank look)
SC: Well?
ME: (Prints off original purchase)
SC: Well why can't you exchange it for this model?
ME: Its company policy for us to co-operate with the insurance companies wishes. You claimed for this model and now you want this other model, it's not very fair for them is it?
SC: Well (so and so) from (another shop) allowed me to exchange items to the same value.
BB: It's not our policy, take it or leave it, it's all paid for...
SC: Well thanks for FUCKING NOTHING! ( and snatches box and storms out yelling "Maybe I should shop elsewhere!)
BB/ME: Maybe you should!
ME: good luck finding all your electronic components you want anywhere else in town!


5 minutes later I rang the other shop and talked to the manager that 'exchanged the items" that he went on about:

ME - Agroman
SM - Other shop manager

ME: Hey its me, did you get an insurance quote for these items (rattles off what I remember)
SM: Haha, yeah. I guess he just left your store didn't he?
ME: Yep, says you exchanged for different items.
SM: Heck no we didn't, that guy was a complete turd.
ME: Thanks mate, catch ya later.

What has me thinking is how many shops DID exchange for value for undeclared items? Why is he wearing the most trailer trash clothes I've ever seen and driving an '07 WRX?

I'm contemplating calling his insurance company to let them know of my suspicions... Any thoughts guys?

[Tuxian]

I'm not sure on the legality of the issue, as you (I'm guessing here) don't know anything about the circumstances of the claim. However, a quick 'heads-up' call to the insurance company saying that the guy tried to get you to give him something other than what he filed a claim on might be something to keep in mind.

Just my $0.02.

[Zeeko]

Thats what I thought. I'm sure that the insurance companies don't like people using the claim money to buy other goods. Fair enough if the Insurance company said to credit him to X amount of dollars. But thats a bit silly for the reason that most insurance companies require 3 quotes on a item from different stores before settling.

I might call them on wednesday just to be sure (never made a claim in my life).

[protege]

Insurance scammers suck. All they're doing is driving up rates for the rest of us.

My father was actually the victim of a scammer some years back. We were backing out of a driveway, and some idiot in a Cadillac hit us Only damage to both cars was a cracked hubcap on the Caddy. Caddy driver called the cops and claimed that he wasn't watching where he was going, that there were some injuries, more damage to the car, etc.

In the end, she got what was coming--she got cited for filing a false police report, insurance fraud, driving on an expired license, and a few other charges. Still doesn't mean our insurance didn't go up though

[Dave1982]

I suppose it depends on the laws in your area and the particular insurance carrier you have, but I don't see an issue with getting the value of a stolen item and putting that towards a different item, as long as the item was legitimately stolen (now there's a contradiction in terms). Too bad I don't make these calls.

A number of years ago, my aunt's house was robbed. Her family lost most of their electronics and a bunch of jewelry. Their insurance would ONLY pay for exact replacements, or as close to exact as possible (ie, if they had a $200 TV, they had to replace it with a $200 TV). They were not allowed to put that $200 towards a better TV and pay the difference themselves. What they ended up doing (and I see no problem with this) was they bought the $200 TV, submitted a copy of the receipt to the insurance company, then returned the TV and bought a nicer one. Why they had to go through all that trouble is beyond me. After all, auto insurance companies don't force you to buy the same car if yours gets wrecked. They just cut a check and you can buy whatever car you want (which is exactly what I did when my previous car was broadsided and totaled. Took the money and put it towards a newer, nicer car).

[CancelMyService]

Reminds me of the time someone stopped short in front of me at a stop sign and I ended up tapping their bumper at maybe 2 mph if that. Didn't even scratch the paint on either car, just enough of a bump to let you know contact occured. Insurance info was exchanged, and lo and behold my insurance company got a bill for $400 for a whole new bumper for these people. I tried to tell my agent that something fishy was up, there's no way the tap they got would require that kind of work. Basically they said because the way the laws are (hitting someone from behind no matter the cause is that persons fault), it gives the person who was hit a blank check.

Ironically while I was in Florida, I got tapped from behind at a red light by some old lady not paying attention. Needless to say, I won't be filing any claims.

[chainedbarista]

i'm not sure if they care what you buy with the claim money so much as someone trying to get more money than what the original item was worth. he sounds less scam and more fraud to me, but that's based on what little i know after filing a claim on water damage.

they gave us a percentage of the original value (adjustment for item depreciation), rather than the whole amount of the original.

anyone in insurance work here that can say 'yah, that's right, or no, chains, you're absolutely full of it?' i'm really curious to know how it works (morbid curiousity, lol).

[Banrion]

anyone in insurance work here that can say 'yah, that's right, or no, chains, you're absolutely full of it?' i'm really curious to know how it works (morbid curiousity, lol).

It depends on how the policy is written. Some policies are written for replacement value, others work on the depreciating scale. Sometimes you have a choice in how it's written, othertimes not. For instance, you buy a renters/homeowners insurance policy, typically personal property coverage is written as a maximum Up to $10,000. Anything that falls under that general category will usually be calculated on depreciated value, and this is typically for property that would be tedious and silly to itemize. Now you have an additional $10,000 rider for your engagement ring. In the event that ring is lost, that will usually be covered at replacement cost up to $10,000. Many people do not bother with the riders and itemizing valuables because it is more paperwork intensive. Jewelry and artwork require appraisals that are updated every 3 years, other things require receipts be submitted to the company.

[protege]

After all, auto insurance companies don't force you to buy the same car if yours gets wrecked. They just cut a check and you can buy whatever car you want (which is exactly what I did when my previous car was broadsided and totaled. Took the money and put it towards a newer, nicer car).

This is true. When my Tempo was destroyed, that's exactly what they did. (For those who don't know, the engine blew up...and as I was getting out to push it off the road, some idiot rear-ended, and totaled it.) It simply wasn't worth fixing--the engine repairs would have been nearly 2 grand, bodywork possibly another 3-4...both of which were multiple times what that car was worth.

I still made out though. Car was worth about $400-450 in the blue book. Insurance company gave me nearly 2 grand...mainly because I'd done some cosmetic work on the car. I was going to sell it, so I went around and touched up the stone chips, pounded the dent out of the hood, and removed the rust from the doors. While I was at it, I cleaned and waxed it. Little did I know it was getting destroyed about 2 weeks later though...

[pyxee]

This is true. When my Tempo was destroyed, that's exactly what they did. (For those who don't know, the engine blew up...and as I was getting out to push it off the road, some idiot rear-ended, and totaled it.) It simply wasn't worth fixing--the engine repairs would have been nearly 2 grand, bodywork possibly another 3-4...both of which were multiple times what that car was worth.

I still made out though. Car was worth about $400-450 in the blue book. Insurance company gave me nearly 2 grand...mainly because I'd done some cosmetic work on the car. I was going to sell it, so I went around and touched up the stone chips, pounded the dent out of the hood, and removed the rust from the doors. While I was at it, I cleaned and waxed it. Little did I know it was getting destroyed about 2 weeks later though...

Yeah I had a Van that was broadsided by a dump truck, it was pretty much on its last legs but when it got hit there was pretty much nothing left of it. It had smashed into me at 80 mph ( in 55 mph highway) spun me around smashed my back end and launched the car across the intersection. I ended up getting 1800$ after the 500$ deductible. The best part is that somehow both the police and DOT messed up somewhere and there is no record of the crash in either database, so my insurance rates never changed.

[chainedbarista]

thanks, banrion; i like to have an idea of how things work, rather than have the 'me not know' approach to life.

[Zeeko]

Im sure some insurance compaines DO allow for similar items to be bought instead of the exact model destroyed/stolen. But we were going as per the instructions laid out by the insurance company. As was the other store.

[FenigDurak]

The best part is that somehow both the police and DOT messed up somewhere and there is no record of the crash in either database, so my insurance rates never changed.

Sounds to me like they were taking care of fellow civic workers...