Video: Insurance Fraud Drives Up La. Rates
The “swoop and squat” scam is particularly popular with con artists specializing in staged crashes. Cell phone-using drivers, as well as young women and seniors, are common targets.
A scene from a National Insurance Crime Bureau video about staged crashes. NICB is a leader in the fight against such insurance fraud.
A scene from a National Insurance Crime Bureau video about staged crashes. NICB is a leader in the fight against such insurance fraud.
Below is a video report, produced by Channel 6 WDSU News, on the latest trends in staged collisions in Louisiana. One of the most common types of staged collisions, the "swoop and squat" maneuver, has a new twist now that Louisiana has outlawed texting while driving. Criminals are targeting drivers who are visibly texting because their culpability in the crash will not be questioned, and the scam will stir fewer suspicions.
In a typical “swoop and squat” scam, three drivers in three separate cars work as a team on a multi-lane roadway. Two of the cars pass and pull just ahead of the victim’s car. The third car pulls alongside the victim in the adjacent lane. The driver of the lead car slows down, and then the driver of the second car slams on his brakes. As a result, the victim rear-ends the second car, which is filled with passengers. The car alongside the victim ensures there’s no path to avert the collision. The driver of the lead car continues on, leaving the scene. The driver and passengers in the second car fake injuries and file false insurance claims, working in concert with shady medical clinics. Sometimes the scam is executed using just two cars.
More Safety
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
How to Speak the Same Language on Fleet Safety
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
Fleet Cybersecurity 101: What You Need from Your Technology Vendors
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →