Behind in Car Payments: Torching a Car for the Auto Insurance

A new, sad phenomena is occurring across the land. Firefighters are doing it, police officers are doing it, friends are doing it for other friends. “It” is burning a car for the auto insurance money. Many confused souls think this is the answer to overwhelming car payments or other financial troubles. Instead it becomes the source of a whole new set of problems.

The process seems so simple. Drive the car to a remote place, pour some gasoline on the seats and light a match, then go home and report the car stolen. Seems like a good idea – at the time.

Auto Insurance Companies Are
Smarter Than You Think

Then the problems start. Insurance companies have a long list of telltale signs that indicate arson instead of larceny. This includes things like being behind in auto loan payments or lowering the deductible on the car insurance policy shortly before the incident. Why would a thief go to the trouble of stealing a car only to burn it a few days later?

Instead of cashing a check a few weeks later, these car owners are frequently arrested for arson, insurance fraud and destruction of property. Now, in addition to financial problems, legal problems including fines and jail time loom.

Money problems are tough, and growing more common each day. But doing something illegal is never the answer, and will in fact only lead to even more serious problems.