Morse Insurance Blog

Airbag fraud is a growing crime that inflates a motorist’s average MA insurance costs, but more seriously it put lives at risk. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates about 50,000 airbags are stolen per year.

Many airbags are stolen by dishonest body shop repairers after a car has been in an accident. Whether the airbag was activated or not, the repair shop operator can make it look as if it has been deployed, and replace it with an old airbag or stuff the airbag compartment with something else entirely.

Ways to avoid being a victim of airbag fraud include:

• Check your airbag indicator light when you turn on the ignition. It should momentarily turn on. If the light flashes or stays on, there could be a problem.

• Make sure the body repair shop is ASE certified. Your MA insurance company should recommend a reputable collision repair shop.

• Check the invoice to make sure that the airbag has come from a legitimate manufacturer or dealer.

• Try to get a vehicle history report on used car before your decide to purchase it. Get the car inspected by a mechanic, particularly if there is a history of car accidents or airbag deployment.

Taking these precautionary measures could save your life. At the very least it may help ensure your MA insurance claim is protected against air bag insurance fraud.