The National Insurance Crime Bureau has a website with a database where you can search using Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) or for Watercraft the Hull Identification Number (HIN). Visitors have to comply with the sites terms of use by clicking on they agree to it.
The information on their website, www.nicb.org was comprised from insurance companies, salvage yards along with state and local authorities.
Besides searching the database consumers can also download pdf articles to prevent insurance fraud. These helpful tips include disaster fraud, identity theft, staged vehicle accidents, collision repair fraud, airbags and anti-theft devices.
Protect Yourself Prevention Tips
You can also check with Car Fax, Auto Check and the Auto Consumer Guide for a vehicle history prior to making a purchase of a used automobile.
Back in May of 2004 I purchased my Ford Aerostar through Ebay Motors and utilized the State of California website to check out the smog history of the vehicle I was planning on buying. This is through the Bureau of Autotmatic Repair (BAR). You can check the history of the vehicle through the VIN or the License Plate number.
For the State of CA every other year before you can get your vehicle registered you need to obtain a smog check. This is electronically sent through to the State, with the copy of the insurance and payment made to DMV.
I have used the smog check site many times when dealing with neighbors who run their vehicles in their driveways for long periods of time and I want to see the history of the car and how often it has failed smog checks. The information at the site will give you the results - whether the vehicle failed, passed or aborted the test, which facility they used and the dates.
I found that the owners of the Ford Aerostar I bought used the same facility for their smogchecks and it always passed. You can even research the station, technician and automotive dealers through their site.
The more equipped consumers are with researching the history of vehicles, stations and mechanics, the easier the decision will be on making purchases. Do not be a victim of Insurance fraud, stay informed.
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