A driver who said his car was wrecked in an at-fault crash will not receive a payout after the financial services ombudsman agreed with his insurer that he lied about the incident.

The motor policyholder told Suncorp he hit the passenger side of a passing car because he failed to see it while making a right turn.  

The other driver gave a similar account, but there were no other witnesses, and no CCTV footage or photos from the scene. Police did not attend.

The policyholder’s written-off vehicle was insured for an agreed value of $32,000, and he sought an additional $293,835 demanded by the other driver.  

But Suncorp argued the crash “did not occur in the manner and circumstances described by the customer”.

A forensic engineer determined the claimant’s story was “not plausible”.

Data from the man’s car showed the accelerator was “100% applied” five seconds before the crash. Before that, it had been stationary.  

The pedal was not released until 0.8 seconds before the smash.

The expert also noted the other vehicle was stationary at impact, and the claimant’s airbags were manually deployed after the incident.

Suncorp said the policyholder had a motive to fake a claim, given his vehicle had been valued at only $17,900, meaning a total loss payout would bring financial gain.  

Financial records showed he failed to meet loan repayments for another car on the day the crash occurred.  

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority agrees with the insurer the claim was “more likely than not fraudulent”.  

“The insurer’s submissions on motive, opportunity and credibility are overall persuasive,” it said.  

See the ruling here.