Car crash scammers take rural route

"Crash for cash" fraudsters are shifting their focus to faking accidents in rural locations in a bid to escape detection, according to Direct Line.

The scam to claim insurance payouts is costing the industry some £350m a year. Rural claims are cause for particular concern, experts say, as the likelihood of serious injury to innocent motorists is increased in these locations due to lighter traffic and higher average speeds.

Crash-for-cash hotspots include road junctions in Barking andSt Albans, the Hangar Lane Gyratory, and the A5 in Bedfordshire.