PA
Some insurance scams really make the mind boggle. In October 2009, a man was jailed for his part in an outrageous and long-running 'crash for cash' crime. Over three years, Mohammed Patel (right) deliberately caused at least 93 car crashes in Greater Manchester. He would brake suddenly, often at roundabouts, forcing the innocent party behind him to crash into the car he was driving.
Patel charged the owners of the cars he drove £500 per crash. And each time, these owners went on to claim for huge bogus damages from the other party's insurers.
It is extremely lucky no one was seriously injured or killed. This horrendous scam just goes to show that - however carefully you drive - sometimes things happen you simply can't anticipate.
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Here is a more light-hearted look at some of the UK's weirdest car insurance claims:
Animal magic
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When it comes to driving, animals really can behave in the most bizarre ways. Strange claims dealt with by the car insurance company, Elephant.co.uk, include a car kicked by a passing camel in a garden centre car park, a windscreen shattered after an angry squirrel hurled a nut, and a bonnet destroyed when a horse decided to sit on it.
According to research from the AA, there were also roughly 42,500 reported deer strikes in 2008 - costing insurers over £59 million. Other estimates suggest there are actually as many as 74,000 collisions with deer every year, many of which go unreported.
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Pay attention!
Many strange insurance claims are the result of people simply not paying enough attention.
One motorist filed an insurance claim with Elephant.co.uk when he accidently poured shampoo into his fuel tank instead of petrol.
Meanwhile, a nurse was forced to lodge a claim with the AA after taking the 'one for sorrow, two for joy' magpie adage a little too far. After seeing one magpie while driving, the lady in question hunted for the second so intently that she didn't look where she was going - and crashed straight into the car in front.
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Out of left field
Sometimes, even when you do remember to keep your eyes on the road, you can still be caught out. Elephant.co.uk reports that a car was damaged when a naked pedestrian jumped on the bonnet, leapt onto the roof, hopped up and down for a while before running away.
Then there was the lady who calmly informed the AA her bonnet was damaged after several airborne shopping trolleys came flying towards her. Apparently, the renegade trolleys had shot out of the back of a delivery lorry.
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Be prepared
With all this going on, it's vital you make sure your insurance is up to scratch. Cutting back on your level of cover could prove a false economy if your insurer refuses to shell out for a claim. Fortunately, here are four ways you can cut the cost of your car insurance without cutting back on cover.
1. Vehicle security
Keeping your car safe will not only reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen, it could also help to lower your premiums. Try to park in a garage or driveway rather than on the street, and fit a good quality alarm, tracking device and immobiliser.
2. Pay up front
When buying your car insurance package, avoid paying for it in monthly instalments. Many insurers charge huge interest rates for the privilege, which could bump up your bill by as much as 20%.
If you can't afford to pay the total amount upfront, consider using a credit card that offers 0% interest on new purchases. Just make sure you clear the balance before it starts charging you interest.
3. Pass Plus
You could also slash your premiums by becoming a better driver. The Pass Plus scheme is a government-backed initiative designed to make new drivers more aware, more confident and more capable of dealing with unexpected hazards.
The modular course has been put together with the help of insurers, and passing the course will mean you're offered a big discount by companies who support the scheme.
You will have to pay to take Pass Plus (typically £150-£200). However, many local authorities are now willing to help with the costs, offering discounts of up to 50%.
Learn more about Pass Plus
4. Haggle
The best way to drive down the cost of your car insurance is to shop around. A recent study by the AA showed that taking the time to compare premiums typically knocks £225-£300 off the price of cover.
What's more, some price comparison websites offer cashback as a reward when you purchase your policy through their site.
Once you've found a few well-priced policies, don't be afraid to barter for a better deal as you might be able to drive the cost down even further.
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